How to permanently get rid of Aptasia

[sewerman45]

I have had aptasia in my tank for 6 months. Every week I go in and kill everyone that I can find. But every single time I must miss one somewhere and they slowly start coming back. It's making me crazy. I use aptasia x and it does seem to kill them but they just come back somewhere else.

I tried adding a peppermint shrimp but my clownfish is a jerk and killed it. I really should get rid of him, he bites me like crazy.

Anyone have any advice for me? Or is this something that I will just always struggle with?

Thanks.

[Slyguy00]

Originally Posted by sewerman45

I have had aptasia in my tank for 6 months. Every week I go in and kill everyone that I can find. But every single time I must miss one somewhere and they slowly start coming back. It's making me crazy. I use aptasia x and it does seem to kill them but they just come back somewhere else.

I tried adding a peppermint shrimp but my clownfish is a jerk and killed it. I really should get rid of him, he bites me like crazy.

Anyone have any advice for me? Or is this something that I will just always struggle with?

Thanks.

You could try a copperband butterfly fish or berghia nudibranchs depending on your setup and what you have in it. Aside from those proven methods there isn't much out there that will remove them for good. Aptasia x just stuns them and causes them to release spores. The harder you try the faster they come back.

[Madreefer]

Hypodermic needle and muriatic acid. I've used a full index finger sized syringe with zero problems. But I'm prolly running close to 400G in total water volume.

[monocus]

berghia are the best but take time.my bannerfish ate all my aptasia,or you could try a file fish.if your using acid,lemonjuice,kalkwasser,aptasia x etc. do it during the day as aptasia is more prone to releasing daughter cells at night if they are stressed.a pencil blow torch is another fun way to get rid of them but you have to take your rock out of the display.you also might want to check your nitrates as i found aptasia spreads like wildfire with higher nitrates.personally i like to have aptasia in my overflow and sump as they polish the water

[The Guy]

I had a couple in my 33g tank, so I invited a couple of peppermint shrimp to stay and after 2-3 days aptasia all gone.

[mark]

Was being overrun so got a matted filefish. Some of the aptasia where nearly as big as the fish, took a little bit but basically all gone. Occasionally can still find a little one in the rock but they don't last for long. Haven't noticed the fish go for anything else than flake or pellets. Little funny looking but interesting to watch.

[Reef Pilot]

Pearlescales were the answer for me. Easier to keep than Copperbands and don't bother my corals. And they look a lot nicer than a filefish...

[gobytron]

there are literally SO many threads about this all over the internet.

You won't hear anything here that you won't find already posted somewhere else.

Use your google.

[gobytron]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Pearlescales were the answer for me. Easier to keep than Copperbands and don't bother my corals. And they look a lot nicer than a filefish...

Isn't that a fancy gold fish?

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by gobytron

Isn't that a fancy gold fish?

Well, if you think Butterfly fish look like goldfish... lol.