Losing battle with aptasia

Tarolisol · #1 05-19-2005, 05:37 AM

Well ive been useing joes juice and they dissapear for a couple days then come back twice as bad. Im running out of options. Can someone list the animals that eat these suckers and what negative effects they may have on the reef. I hear copperbanded butterflies, but what else might they eat.

vanreefer · #2 05-19-2005, 05:44 AM

I have always had awsome luck with peppermint shrimp... Haven't noticed any impact on the tank

Tarolisol · #3 05-19-2005, 06:08 AM

I have 4 peppermint shrimp in there. But they dont seem to eat the aptasia.

vanreefer · #4 05-19-2005, 06:28 AM

they may not actually be peppermint shrimp... there are impostors (sp) that look very similar... apparently the impostors have a longer rostum ( the thingy that looks like a mosquitos blood sucker)

ref leppard · #5 05-19-2005, 01:04 PM

save your money. use a Hagen pipette with regular vinegar,squirt&hold for 20 seconds longer for larger ones

DanG · #6 05-19-2005, 01:06 PM

copper band butterfiles are also known for eating aptasia. Maybe you could borrow one for a week or 2?

Beverly · #7 05-19-2005, 02:02 PM

I have used vinegar too with a one ml syringe. First turn off the powerheads for about a minute so the vinegar won't be blown all over. Then inject, if you can, the vinegar directly into the aptasia which will probably retreat when you get close to it. If you can't directly inject the aptasia, poke the syringe as far into its hole and gently squirt the vinegar. Leave the powerheads off for 2-3 more minutes for maximum effect.

muck · #8 05-19-2005, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beverly

I have used vinegar too with a one ml syringe. First turn off the powerheads for about a minute so the vinegar won't be blown all over. Then inject, if you can, the vinegar directly into the aptasia which will probably retreat when you get close to it. If you can't directly inject the aptasia, poke the syringe as far into its hole and gently squirt the vinegar. Leave the powerheads off for 2-3 more minutes for maximum effect.

Are you talking with a needle tip?
If so where do you pick them up?

mr_alberta · #9 05-19-2005, 02:18 PM

You can pick up syringes at any medical supply store. There is one near the university on Whyte Ave. You can pick up a syringe for a few bucks.

Beverly · #10 05-19-2005, 02:21 PM

Ryan,

Got my needle pointed syringe from the vet when we had to inject antibiotics into our ball python several months back.