Copperband & SPS

[jzdad]

After hours and hours and treatments after treatments, peppermint shrimp and all, I am experiencing aptasia out the wazoo .Can a Copperband co-exist in an SPS tank without messing with corals ( Cause I hear they do the trick on aptasia)? Does anybody have one in their tank with no problems? need a quick solution before the aptasia sting my SPS and I have to start over.
,,

Thanks,

[BLKTANG]

Ive heard Berghais work.

[MCCOOL]

I suggest going to the "reef fishes" forum and reading the copperband primer. They are not always reef safe and they don't always eat aptasia. As already mentioned; a nudi might be a better option just be prepared for it to die after the aptasia are gone.

[polywise]

copper bands work -buy a large one. I have found that over the years the large one have gotten that way because they eat...

also might want to look into a matted file fish. They work well also.

[DT's_Reef]

If you do get a CB, make certain it's eating before taking it home.

They tend to like quality mysis shrimp (PE Mysis), and meaty foods like clams. Some love picking it out of the clam shell.

[jzdad]

Wow, thanks for the quick replys,

BLKTANG........Thanks

MCCOOL.........Yea, thats what I did and sometimes too much info is confusing so I sometimes like to ask but sometimes what works for one doesn't work for the others that's what makes this hobby sooooo interesting.

[jzdad]

Polywise ......That is a beautiful fish when large. I met someone who bought one and he did eat any aptasia he just picked on all his SPS and his polyps. and a matted file fish,nice

DT's Reef..... I'll be sure to check ,It's been hard trying to fine one in NY lfs that arent beat up pretty bad. Will it Mess with the SPS when aptasia is all gone?

[DT's_Reef]

I've not heard of them presenting any problems with corals.

Whatever you do, *do not* buy any butterfly unless it's eating at the store. It's better to wait it out and be patient.

A while ago, I had a lot of aiptasia and added some peppermint shrimp. Most of the aiptasia disappeared. A few stragglers still hang around but I no longer have a problem. If you get peppermint shrimp, make certain none of your fish will eat them (e.g., wrasses).

[david pinder]

Have one in my reef he doesnt bother the sps or aptasia, I tyried several large never could get them to eat. So I bought a small have had him for a year now think he will grow into a large.

[jzdad]

DT's Reef ......... I tried the peppermint shrimp and the funny thing was they didnt touch the aptasia and they disappeared and one day when I reaquascaping, I found them huddled shaking from side to side like they were talking about why they wont eat the aptasia at a AA meeting. Till this very day I still laugh at that.

david pinder..... that is exactly what I'm afraid of or my luck, I get the 1 that likes to pick at SPS then I have a real problem. I had peppermint shrimp they did nothing and I do mean nothing.

[hatemeyet]

I battled this for many months..Just like you it was out of control..so I went to war,got myself a cooperband,dumped 20 peppermints in,and used pickling lime (sold at walmart) mixed with some water and hit the ones I could see with a syringe..2 weeks later there all gone..I just had to be aggressive,Dont give up,you'll find something that works..gl.

[jzdad]

Maybe 6 peppermint shrimp wasnt enough?

What about buying Online? Bad Idea, dont know if he is eating , Right?

[jzdad]

hatemeyet..... I was just thinking that , Shrimp,Copperband & nudibranch all at once

Thanks

[Urchinhead]

They will do fine with your SPS but... You need to have a plan to make sure they eat something other than Aptasia or a way to safely and humanely get it out of the tank once the aptasia is gone because they are very particular about what they eat (they rarely if ever eat pellets and sometimes will refuse frozen foods) and thus present a problem.

[plyle02]

SPS dominated here, and zero aptasia.... I have no issues at all with my CBB, eats a variety of foods, likes to eat often, and does not nip at all... Watch out for clams though, they will try and nip the mantle, of course in some cases but not all... Mine is a model citizen, and agree with above to make sure it is eating before purchase...GL, a good reef addition IMO...

[hatemeyet]

What do you have for fish?Its possible your peppermints are lunch for the fishes..

[jzdad]

Originally Posted by hatemeyet

What do you have for fish?Its possible your peppermints are lunch for the fishes..

All they did was hide under cliffs for months so I got rid of them, I think they are anti aptasia ( the ones i had )


All I have is
1 Keyhole Tang 3"
1 Naso Tang 3"
2 green/blue chromies 1"
1 Dispar Anthas 3.5"
2 Ocallaries clowns 2.5"
Had a 5 inch Hippo that leaped out on to the glass top about 2 weeks ago had him from when he wasnt even an inch ,Love that fish and miss him

All that in a Oceanic 150 G tank

[jzdad]

pyle.... I have a clam about 5-6" ,I hope I get a model citizen that last a long time.And I will make sure he is eating. When I look to purchase a fish that is the 1st thing make sure he is eating . I ask how long they've had him, Then I say, I want the fish but I'm not on my way home could you hol;d it for me. Then in about 2 days I go to see if he's eating again then I purchase it.

[hatemeyet]

I don't think any off them would touch the shrimp..so try dumping more in and treat the ones you can that are at the surface with the pickling lime and I think it should take care of your problem..I know your fustration..I was at my wits end to..but I just got aggressive and it's 99% gone..

[jzdad]

Originally Posted by Urchinhead

They will do fine with your SPS but... You need to have a plan to make sure they eat something other than Aptasia or a way to safely and humanely get it out of the tank once the aptasia is gone because they are very particular about what they eat (they rarely if ever eat pellets and sometimes will refuse frozen foods) and thus present a problem.

I'm a try a varity of foods so he doesn't get tempted and I'll feed several times so his tummy stays full.And just hope I dont have a problem.

Thanks

[jzdad]

Originally Posted by hatemeyet

I don't think any off them would touch the shrimp..so try dumping more in and treat the ones you can that are at the surface with the pickling lime and I think it should take care of your problem..I know your fustration..I was at my wits end to..but I just got aggressive and it's 99% gone..

I seems just like a week ago I only had a few and after a water change ,cleaning of the glass , rearranging and treatment ,Bam!!!! thousands and some are even touching some corals all sizes. If I wanted aptasia i would be having a problem trying to get them.

[jzdad]

Originally Posted by hatemeyet

I don't think any off them would touch the shrimp..so try dumping more in and treat the ones you can that are at the surface with the pickling lime and I think it should take care of your problem..I know your fustration..I was at my wits end to..but I just got aggressive and it's 99% gone..

Nice , I'm getting aggressive too, After work I'm going looking for a CB tomorrow, an eating CB

Thanks