The Aptasia Control Thread

OnTheReef · 04/27/2013, 04:06 PM

There have been a lot of threads asking about Aptasia control recently, but nothing collated all in one place. I've sifted the forums for the collective experiences reported there and hopefully this can become a sticky we can refer back to when questions come up again.
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Aptasia Control

Predation

Berghia nudibranch
These seem to be the most consistently reported predators of Aptasia. Some aquarists have expressed concern about them eating other anemones, but nothing definitive has been reported. The nudibranchs may starve once the Aptasia have been eliminated.

Large Peppermint Shrimp
Some folks have gotten Peppermint Shrimp to eat Aptasia. Avoid camelback shrimp, which can look very similar and may harm corals. Aquarists report mixed success with these. These shrimp will reportedly prey upon nudibranchs, so one ought to choose between the two solutions. Peppermint shrimp have also been reported to harass other anemone species and LPS corals with tentacle-like polyps (e.g. frogspawn).

Copperband Butterfly
Butterfly fish in general are difficult to keep. Most have a preferred or specialized diet of sponges and may nip at corals while foraging. This species has been reported to eat Aptasia, but you should hesitate to stock one of these fish unless you are prepared for the general difficulty of keeping butterfly species.

Filefish
Filefish will reportedly eat Aptasia, but they will eat a lot of coral species as well. You have been warned.

Mechanical Removal
Not an option, unless you can break off whatever the Aptasia is attached to. If fragments of the base are left, they will grow back.

Treatment

Boiling water
Boiling water squirted directly on the Aptasia with a turkey baster has been reported to kill them.

Kalkwasser paste, pickling lime
Mixing up a paste of kalkwasser and injecting it with a syringe into the mouth of the Aptasia has been reported to kill them. While this does kill the Aptasia, it will burn anything else it comes in contact with (even coralline algae!), so this may not be an option if the Aptasia have lodged in your other specimens.

Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2)
Injecting Hydrogen Peroxide into Aptasia anemones or treating live rock with a Hydrogen Peroxide bath once it has been removed from the tank have been reported to kill them.

Aptasia X, Joe's Juice
Commercial preparations for killing Aptasia. Some aquarists report instant success, while others report a die-back followed by a fresh outbreak. Your mileage may vary.

Midnightsun · 09/06/2013, 02:53 AM

I have tried it all at great expense, even went as far as changing all live rock and starting over. For an infestation there is not much hope however if you only have 1 or 2 make sure you get rid of them before they cause an issue. No need to go out and by some expensive aptasia killer as they only sort of work and most times only after several applications which sometimes never works. I do believe once they are injured by a product their instinct is to survive and then the babies come,

now you get deeper into trouble.

Listen up, here is the ultimate aptasia destroyer. Household vinegar and a doctors syringe/needle. If the aptasia is bigger, inject sideways into the stem, this shocks him and then insert into mouth and let him have it again. I have gotten smaller ones by going straight for the mouth and pushing the needle in as they retract and then letting them have it. Not much vinegar is required, I use about 1ml for a large one. They simply shrivel up and turn white. This is no fail every time and is dirt cheap. Happy Aptasia hunting.

fishgate · 09/06/2013, 05:09 AM

You forgot the laser method.....

gmyers0203 · 09/06/2013, 05:23 AM

You hit the nail on the head with the commercial remedies.... I don't know if I didn't leave my pumps off long enough or what, but what started with two has turned into about 15 or more after treatment. They definitely don't like the stuff I used but I guess you really have to get them good with that solution to truly kill them. The first one I "killed" was gone for about two weeks so I thought I got it, low and behold it came back with a vengeance! That thing is huge! Almost like it turned into the hulk or something!

prox · 09/06/2013, 05:55 AM

i am using laser to kill aiptasia now..kinda fun

04/27/2013, 04:06 PM	#1
OnTheReef Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 340	The Aptasia Control Thread There have been a lot of threads asking about Aptasia control recently, but nothing collated all in one place. I've sifted the forums for the collective experiences reported there and hopefully this can become a sticky we can refer back to when questions come up again. ========================================================= Aptasia Control Predation Berghia nudibranch These seem to be the most consistently reported predators of Aptasia. Some aquarists have expressed concern about them eating other anemones, but nothing definitive has been reported. The nudibranchs may starve once the Aptasia have been eliminated. Large Peppermint Shrimp Some folks have gotten Peppermint Shrimp to eat Aptasia. Avoid camelback shrimp, which can look very similar and may harm corals. Aquarists report mixed success with these. These shrimp will reportedly prey upon nudibranchs, so one ought to choose between the two solutions. Peppermint shrimp have also been reported to harass other anemone species and LPS corals with tentacle-like polyps (e.g. frogspawn). Copperband Butterfly Butterfly fish in general are difficult to keep. Most have a preferred or specialized diet of sponges and may nip at corals while foraging. This species has been reported to eat Aptasia, but you should hesitate to stock one of these fish unless you are prepared for the general difficulty of keeping butterfly species. Filefish Filefish will reportedly eat Aptasia, but they will eat a lot of coral species as well. You have been warned. Mechanical Removal Not an option, unless you can break off whatever the Aptasia is attached to. If fragments of the base are left, they will grow back. Treatment Boiling water Boiling water squirted directly on the Aptasia with a turkey baster has been reported to kill them. Kalkwasser paste, pickling lime Mixing up a paste of kalkwasser and injecting it with a syringe into the mouth of the Aptasia has been reported to kill them. While this does kill the Aptasia, it will burn anything else it comes in contact with (even coralline algae!), so this may not be an option if the Aptasia have lodged in your other specimens. Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) Injecting Hydrogen Peroxide into Aptasia anemones or treating live rock with a Hydrogen Peroxide bath once it has been removed from the tank have been reported to kill them. Aptasia X, Joe's Juice Commercial preparations for killing Aptasia. Some aquarists report instant success, while others report a die-back followed by a fresh outbreak. Your mileage may vary. __________________ 100 gallon reef tank, 40 gallon sump/fuge combo with RDSB 2x ASM G2 with gate valve mod TLF phos reactor w/Rowaphos, Seachem Nitrate sponge 4x55w 50/50 actinic PC Current USA 0 amm, 0 nitrite, 0 n Current Tank Info: 50 & 100 gallon reef tanks

09/06/2013, 02:53 AM	#2
Midnightsun Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 311	I have tried it all at great expense, even went as far as changing all live rock and starting over. For an infestation there is not much hope however if you only have 1 or 2 make sure you get rid of them before they cause an issue. No need to go out and by some expensive aptasia killer as they only sort of work and most times only after several applications which sometimes never works. I do believe once they are injured by a product their instinct is to survive and then the babies come, now you get deeper into trouble. Listen up, here is the ultimate aptasia destroyer. Household vinegar and a doctors syringe/needle. If the aptasia is bigger, inject sideways into the stem, this shocks him and then insert into mouth and let him have it again. I have gotten smaller ones by going straight for the mouth and pushing the needle in as they retract and then letting them have it. Not much vinegar is required, I use about 1ml for a large one. They simply shrivel up and turn white. This is no fail every time and is dirt cheap. Happy Aptasia hunting. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, not really good for anything but they do put a smile on your face when you push them down the stairs. Current Tank Info: Artisan 70, Vertex Illumina, Custom Fish Room

09/06/2013, 05:09 AM	#3
fishgate Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Damascus, MD Posts: 3,340	You forgot the laser method..... __________________ 125RR in-wall, 40B Sump, CS180 BM Skimmer, ATI 4x80 watt, eheim 1262, custom wrap around rock wall, ReefKeeper Elite 120g in-wall, 40B Sump, PC 54wx4, Jabao DC-6000 (full siphon), future seahorse t Current Tank Info: 125g, 120g, 2x40b sumps, ATI 4x80 T5HO

09/06/2013, 05:23 AM	#4
gmyers0203 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 83	You hit the nail on the head with the commercial remedies.... I don't know if I didn't leave my pumps off long enough or what, but what started with two has turned into about 15 or more after treatment. They definitely don't like the stuff I used but I guess you really have to get them good with that solution to truly kill them. The first one I "killed" was gone for about two weeks so I thought I got it, low and behold it came back with a vengeance! That thing is huge! Almost like it turned into the hulk or something! __________________ Born 1/31/2015 \| 120 g Display \| 40 g Custom Sump \| Apex Lite \| RO Skimmer \| 2x MP40s \| Reefbreeders Photon 48 \| Transitioning to 120 \| 80g Deep Blue Edge rimless \| 30g sump \| Apex Lite \| SCA 303 \| Current Tank Info: 80 gallon Deep Blue Rimless mostly LPS at the moment

09/06/2013, 05:55 AM	#5
prox Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 127	i am using laser to kill aiptasia now..kinda fun __________________ - prox -