Aiptasia eating fish

[KNOWYOURTANK]

Wondering if anyone has any ideas or experience with a fish that eats Aiptasia in a soft coral reef tank
Thanks

[DKoKoMan]

I have a copperband butterfly and IME the aptasia eating bomb. Mine took care of aptasia almost immediately. Others though get one that is finicky and doesn’t touch it.

[mark]

Look up Matted Filefish. Had good luck with them eating aiptasia and leaving the rest of the softies in the tank alone.

[KNOWYOURTANK]

thanks for the suggestions !
Any other butterfly fish u might recommend ?

[Frogger]

The good news is most butterfly fish will eat aiptasia the bad news is most butterfly fish will eat everything else.

You have a softy tank be aware every fish is hit or miss. Some copperbands won't eat anything and die, some won't touch aiptasia others will eat your zoas, feather dusters, anemones etc.

File fish are the same.

[smokinreefer]

For a fish I would try cooperbands. They're awesome regardless, but hit or miss on aiptasia eating.

I have also had success with peppermint shrimp.

[KNOWYOURTANK]

Thanks guys I’m leaning towards the copperband I’ve also heard of angelfish eating Aiptasia anyone seen this ?

[Frogger]

Thanks guys I’m leaning towards the copperband I’ve also heard of angelfish eating Aiptasia anyone seen this ?
Purchase a copperband because they are a great fish you want one and they look good in your tank. If he eats aiptasia bonus. If he doesn't so what he is a great fish.

Do not buy a copperband because you only want him for aiptasia control. If this is your reasoning go with peppermint shrimp or better yet purchase a Berghia Nudibranch.

Some angelfish will eat aiptasia most won't only eat aiptaisa and leave everything else alone. If you want angelfish in your reef go for it, personally I would stick with pygmys. But there are those who want the big angelfish and are willing to accept some coral grazing and who knows maybe some aiptasia control.

Copperband butterflys do best in a low stress tank. If you already have aggressive large tangs it likely won't work unless you can isolate the butterfly. Also according to Live Aquaria you need a minimum of a 125 gallon tank.

[KNOWYOURTANK]

Thanks for the info I’ll go with the copperband tank size is good to go and I don’t have tangs so should be a good fit when I end up getting one I’ll let u know how it goes !

[Frogger]

I have heard that scats control aiptasia. I have heard that they are also very good at algae control. Double duty

[KNOWYOURTANK]

THanks for your guys help (frogger) when I actually pull the trigger on something I will let u know what it is and how it works out

[KNOWYOURTANK]

Just so u guys know I ended up picking up a red tail filefish can’t find a ton of info on them but was told they are a very good Aiptasia eater!

[scilover]

There is a fish species call butterfly fish, they do eat aiptasia. But they’re hard to keep because they may snack on various corals.