Aiptasia control- another article from CORAL

Tahiti Butterflyfish


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Chaetodon trichrous - Günther, 1874
Tahiti Butterflyfish


A hardy species that will eat Aiptasia anemones. Scott W. Michael


[edit] Overview


This a durable, easy to keep aquarium fish that is credited by some aquarists as an excellent biocontrol for nuisance Aiptasia or glass anemones. It is related to Klein's Butterflyfish, another species that is widespread in the Indo-Pacific and commonly available. Both can be recommended for beginning marine aquarists.

Family: Chaetodontidae


Other common name(s):

• Tahitian Butterflyfish
  

Native range:

• South Pacific Ocean
  
• Society Islands
  
• Marquesas Islands
  
• Tuamotu Islands
  

Habitat: The Tahiti Butterflyfish is found at depths of 3 to 25 m (10 to 80 ft) on outer reef faces and fore-reef slopes, as well as on lagoonal patch reefs, where it may be seen in pairs, singly, or aggregations of four to six fish.
Maximum length: 12 cm (5 in)

Minimum aquarium size: 208 L (55 gal)

Water: Marine 24 °C (297 K, 75 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)
General swimming level: All levels.


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[edit] Feeding


Carnivorous, feeding aggressively on zooplankton in the water column. Offer a varied diet of Mysid shrimp, enriched adult brine shrimp, reef plankton, and color-enhancing flake foods. Will also graze hard substrates in search of small benthic invertebrates such as amphipods.
[edit] Aquarium Compatibility


This is generally peaceful community fish. Keep singly unless you can find a pair or have a large system. Males are larger than females.
Once accliamated, this fish will attack Aiptasia until it is eradicated. However, it may also graze on coral polyps, feather duster worms, or ornamental anemones. Keeping it well-fed with zooplankton may help to discourage undesirable grazing.
[edit] Breeding/Propagation


Not recorded. Pelagic eggs and larvae.
[edit] Notes


Other butterflyfishes known to graze effectively on [[Aiptasi]] include the Copperband Butterflyfish, Raccoon Butterflyfish, and Auriga Butterflyfish.
According to Dr. John E. Randall, this species is known as Paraharaha in the native language of Tahiti. [1]
Reference: Reef Fishes Volume 3

They eat coral

Whoa but is he pretty! {drool} I want one!!!

Mn. reef crzy wrote:They eat coral

Hehe thats why thay like Aiptasia

Yeah. I am not one to talk cause I have angels with sps and I assure you my copperband picks on my lps. I like pretty fish and allow picking as long as they don't destroy to much

Let's not forget the Bristletail Filefish

I've also heard of people using Klien's Butterflies and even Racoon's for Aiptasia control.

It might be wise to consider holding live rock with fish like these that will take 'em out before they're a real problem....could be part of the "curing" process...

Matt

Aptasia is inevitable, I have recently heard that nudibrancs are good for aptasia removal i think it was burghi

The hard part with berghia is you need a place for them to go once your Aiptasia is taken care of. If you don't they will just die off. If you know a few people willing to go in on a "traveling" berghia clan that would be best. Use them in one tank until the aiptasia is gone, then let someone else have them for a bit... unfortunately the list needs to be pretty long, otherwise they will just die off anyway...

The same goes for any other animal purchased for taking care of a pest. If they are not trained to eat other stuff they will just die off sooner or later. It is better to just kill the aiptasia with kalk paste or make sure you have a new home or are willing to train the animal to another food source when the aiptasia is gone...

Right here is what i used to kill my aptasia. He did it in 2 weeks

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+525+701&pcatid=701

Right Dan: my peppermint has a nice big aptasia that he lives beside waaaaay down behind my foundation rock. Stupid shrimps!!!! Aptasia X worked the best for me. But I have used nearly the whole bottle now.

Ive just read an artical on peppermint shrimp and aiptasia control. That they are great for controlling it. In numbers meaning 2 shrimps one will sit and munch on it but two will actully eat and kill it. because that they are trying to get as much as possible before the other

Nannook wrote:Right Dan: my peppermint has a nice big aptasia that he lives beside waaaaay down behind my foundation rock. Stupid shrimps!!!! Aptasia X worked the best for me. But I have used nearly the whole bottle now.

Sounds like you need another shrimp to get some motivation going.

I have two peppermint shrimp in my tank. They have been there for about a week or so. They haven't touched my aptasia. I find them in the sump tank more then they are in the main tank.

Reefer wrote:I have two peppermint shrimp in my tank. They have been there for about a week or so. They haven't touched my aptasia. I find them in the sump tank more then they are in the main tank.

Give them time it take 2-3 weeks befor my shrimp touched the aptasia.

wow..it only took mine about 2 days! no more aptasia!