The Anti-Aiptasia Trifecta: Decimating Glass Anemones with Peppermint Shrimp, Molly Millers and Aiptasia-Eating Filefish by greg.chernoffA lot of us are pretty careful to avoid introducing pests like aiptasia when building and adding to a reef aquarium or refugium. This effort indeed pays off tremendously in the long run. As in so many cases, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Still, the occasional unwelcome critter will slip through the cracks. Maybe they hitchhiked in on some big live rock shipment you just received (there was just too much rock to closely inspect in the available time!). They may even have gotten in (safely tucked away in a little crevasse) via a small piece of rock that you just bought your last coral on. Doesn’t matter. All that really matters now is how long you wait to act. Take effective actions now and you might eradicate the pest quickly; leave it alone and it will almost surely proliferate rapidly to become a plague. The Stubborn Invader There are no known water treatments that effectively kill pests without harming desirable aquarium inhabitants. This is certainly so with glass anemones (Aiptasia pallida). Indeed, glass anemones are overall much tougher than the average aquarium animal. They don’t even seem to have some sort of Achilles’ heel. It’s not a bad thing to go after the big ones with a syringe and one of those packaged Aiptasia poisons. However, total eradication requires that effective measures are taken to kill both young and mature individuals. Fortunately, Aiptasia are apparently slightly more palatable than the average anemone, coral or corallimorpharian. This means that a small handful of reasonably reef-safe creatures can be deployed to eliminate them biologically. In other words, to eat them. Among the popular means of biological control of Aiptasia at this time include the peppermint shrimp, the Molly Miller blenny and the aiptasia-eating filefish. Each has its own merits. But what about using them together? Is the combined Aiptasia-killing power of the trio greater than that of each individual? In Plague Proportions Glass anemones grow very rapidly under aquarium conditions. More pointedly, they reproduce rapidly under aquarium conditions. They owe their sometimes explosive population gains to pedal laceration. This clonal mode of reproduction (which more or less involves an individual leaving behind a piece of foot that grows into a new individual) makes invasion easy. It’s hard enough to see a mature individual that is closed up in a hole; imagine how difficult it is to spot the miniscule clones, even on a little coral plug! Now imagine what happens once they start releasing clones all over your aquarium. Since very, very few animals eat them, and they grow so quickly, Aiptasia can in short time multiply to fill all available growing space. Then, they start to elbow outward, using their highly venomous tentacles to kill or chase away their neighbors. Generally, these neighboring animals will be your corals. And clams. And zoanthids. You get it. Because of their high-speed reproduction and their ability to deposit small clones in hard-to-reach places, by the time you see one glass anemone, you likely have scores of them (or soon will!). The best time to act is right away. The best thing to do is to deploy a small force of specialized Aiptasia killers. The best choice of creatures for this crack team? That would be three hardy species that have been known in the hobby for some time now and are all available as captive-bred: The peppermint shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni), the Molly Miller blenny (Scartella cristata) and the aiptasia-eating filefish (Acreichthys tomentosus). [CFish] No Quarter Glass anemones are not safe in a tank that houses all of the above listed species. A tiny anemone or two could possibly escape the clutches of any one of these species. But when confronted with the trio, Aiptasia are doomed. There is simply nowhere for them to hide. Sure, some pale, weak, wussy individuals could subsist deep within the rock structure where their predators cannot reach; but away from the surface (where light and food is abundant), they lose their infamously fierce competitive edge. Peppermint shrimp have been tried many times for this purpose (certainly in part because of their perfectly reef-safe behavior) and are widely accepted as reliable Aiptasia-eaters. They are sometimes reported to ignore the pests (likely in situations where they are otherwise well-fed). Thankfully, when the true peppermint (L. wurdemanni) is used, glass anemones are generally in big trouble. Most feared is the shrimp’s ability to probe deep into the tiny holes and crevasses where the anemones are accustomed to taking shelter. Another dreaded predator is the Molly Miller. After some years of skepticism, it seems at this point that this homely little fish does indeed have a particular taste for Aiptasia. It’s possible that they scrape up and eat the minute juveniles while grazing. They reportedly have consumed large (and small) individuals in some cases, though in others they are reported to eat only the smaller ones. It does seem that this fish (like the peppermint shrimp) needs to be sufficiently hungry to target glass anemones; as a matter of fact, overfeeding not only contributes to additional waves of Aiptasia proliferation, but will also discourage your Molly Miller blennies from attacking them! When really hungry, Molly Millers eat detritus, meaning that they not only can be a deadly predator of Aiptasia but also a competitor for a shared food resource. Finally, we introduce the aiptasia eating filefish. Given their name, what more could we say? This is what you bring in to eat the big ones. We definitely would call to attention some reports of this fish nibbling on the polyps of both soft and stony corals. If this occurs, it is said to happen shortly after the glass anemones have all been consumed. Considering the small handful of truly negative reports and the thousands of A. tomentosus acquired and used for this very purpose to date, it seems the usual results are positive. Therefore, like many other dealers, we advise their use, but we advise their use with caution. And did we mention all three species are available as captive bred? Stock oodles of them in both the display tank and the refugium knowing that they were produced sustainably, are guaranteed disease-free and are completely adapted to captive life! [CFish]
Bob says April 30, 2019 at 3:21 pm I have used Bergia nudis with great success but I worry about these options nipping at my LPS, right now I have only about 6 Aiptasia in my 125 Reply
Vanessa Ruiz says April 21, 2019 at 11:16 am Honestly I’ve never delt with apista. I try to avoid by quarantine and dipping new frags /inverts, but if I was to get some I would definitely try a peppermint shrimp. Reply
Judi A Mitzel says April 28, 2019 at 6:34 am Good information, (now just need to research if a fire shrimp and peppermint shrimp can get along!) Reply
Richard Quickley says April 29, 2019 at 6:13 pm Looks like I’m going to buy some peppermint shrimp Reply
masoncjones10 says April 24, 2019 at 11:58 am These are fun to read since I learn about the new parts to this hobby Reply
Robert O'Toole says April 26, 2019 at 9:37 am Hope to never get any of these, have had enough problems this last month. Reply
Jshicks21 says April 27, 2019 at 8:10 pm A solution to a problem that no one wants to face… Every option helps Reply
Victoria Brewer says April 29, 2019 at 4:04 pm So glad I haven’t had any aptasia in over 3 years. Reply
Kris Kasarda says April 29, 2019 at 4:08 pm Have had a few peppermints, but they seem to disappear. Reply
SEAN PAGE says April 29, 2019 at 4:18 pm I’ve been fortunate that I’ve have only seen one in my sump growing on my chato…it didn’t last long. Reply
SEAN PAGE says April 29, 2019 at 4:18 pm I’ve been fortunate that I’ve have only seen one in my sump growing on my chato…it didn’t last long. Reply
Shawn says April 29, 2019 at 4:29 pm I have tried peppermint shrimp with out much luck I will have to Tri the other if I ever have a out break again Reply
Ken says May 9, 2019 at 1:16 pm It could be eating the smallest aiptasia and you might not even know it. By many reports, Molly Millers will eat smaller individuals while ignoring big ones. That’s why this article suggest using a filefish with the blenny. The filefish definitely eats larger aiptasia (though they ignore the smallest ones). See where this is going? If you only kill the small ones, or only kill the big ones, you’ll never completely get rid of them. The shrimp, by the way, is there to get rid of any small pieces left behind as well as those individuals that are out of reach (in a crevasse, etc.). Reply
Carol Mauch says April 29, 2019 at 4:44 pm This is good to know there is a triple knock out punch. Recently found one….. Reply
Todd says April 29, 2019 at 5:02 pm I try to keep the Aiptasia out of my system to start with but even with spot checking everything I put into it I have had one or two here and there so peppermint shrimp are my go to in the system as another preventive measure. Reply
Stefan Najbicz says April 29, 2019 at 5:12 pm I dislike peppermint shrimp, they have cost me hundreds of dollars due to them mistakening RFA as aptasia. So be careful Reply
Kathryn Ertl says April 29, 2019 at 5:20 pm My peppermint did the job in our 20 gallon tank but then needed to be removed because he was also munching on the bubble tip and rock flower anemones. Reply
brennanlottes says April 29, 2019 at 5:34 pm Dont have aphasia yet just good to be prepared. So in brushing up on my knowledge Reply
Corie Helms says April 29, 2019 at 5:38 pm My peppermint shrimp did a great job. Clean tank and now they just hang out with each other eating left over food. Reply
James G says April 29, 2019 at 6:05 pm They are the spawn of Satin, any and all measures must be used to eradicate them! Reply
John Burke says April 29, 2019 at 6:11 pm Let’s hope I don’t get aptasia but if I do I’ll know what to do Reply
Matt Kalender says April 30, 2019 at 6:55 am I guess I know what to try in my quarantine tank on the aiptasia that knows when I’m coming for it. Reply
Matt says April 29, 2019 at 6:13 pm Have never had aiptasia before fingers crossed and knock on wood! Reply
Foster L White Jr says April 29, 2019 at 6:53 pm Greta information. I currently use a (What I call) a killing wand. I poke the little sucker and electrocute them. Reply
Allen Penner says April 29, 2019 at 7:01 pm No aiptasia, fingers crossed and knock on wood that it stays this way! Reply
David says April 29, 2019 at 10:01 pm I don’t have any aptasia so far, but the peppermint shrimp should like they would be fun to watch and be a good clean up crew member. I may have to get a few. Reply
Compy Ginorio says April 30, 2019 at 1:45 am Soo far I been safe from aiptasia. Knockin on wood. I try to keep as clean as possible from pest my DT. But it’s good to know that there are natural predators to help manage and control them in check. Reply
Travis oglesbee says April 30, 2019 at 4:30 am Good information so if this pops up I know what to do Reply
renner.nate says April 30, 2019 at 7:29 am So far have avoided aptasia for more than 6mo in the new tank, hope to keep it that way! Reply
Malachi Inabnit says April 30, 2019 at 7:43 am My favorite choice for aptasia removal is Definately the aptasia eating filefish, they are such unique creatures at the sane time as being great pest romovers. Reply
Izaac Ubelhor says April 30, 2019 at 7:57 am Had some on a live rock and killed it before setting up the tank, first thing in was a peppermint shrimp after a month cycle. I thought they were gone until he died a year later. He did a pretty good job Reply
Jeremybutwina says April 30, 2019 at 9:31 am Always wanted a aptasia file fish but nervous about my corals. Will never do peppermint shrimp again watch them eat my corals before. Reply
William Smithee says April 30, 2019 at 10:08 am I’ve only tried using a peppermint shrimp. He ate all of the aptasia I identified. Reply
Rhonda Swetnam says April 30, 2019 at 12:16 pm Another great article! Thank you! I have Peppermint shrimp and have never seen an aiptasia! Reply
Bryan Pierre says April 30, 2019 at 6:53 pm I definitely need to pick up some peppermint shrimp Reply
Jonathan Pinero says April 30, 2019 at 7:33 pm Great info I got a peppermint shrimp and the Aiptasia was gone over night Reply
Horace says May 1, 2019 at 6:31 am Filefish are good, but be careful as they sometimes also nip at corals. Mine never did, but died getting trapped in my wave pumps since they are relatively poor swimmers and have such a broad profile Reply
Horace says May 1, 2019 at 6:42 am Filefish do a great job, but sometimes at risk for nipping at corals, I had two that died, trapped in my wave pumps, since they have such a large profile and are relatively poor swimmers Reply
Renae911 says May 1, 2019 at 11:12 am I have 3 peppermint shrimp to keep aptasia out of my tank. Reply
Judi A Knight-Mitzel says May 1, 2019 at 12:16 pm Off to research tank size requirements and potentially shop for a Molly Miller 🙂 Reply
Sally says May 1, 2019 at 1:48 pm I find it fascinating how Mother Nature has created villains and crusaders to come to the rescue! I find the waters of the world and their inhabitants are far more interesting than humans! Reply
Mike says May 1, 2019 at 9:18 pm I love my filefish! He decimated all my aptasia in the matter of a couple of days. He is such a unique fish that I elect to keep him in the tank just to watch his quirky movements. Pretty sure I couldn’t catch him easily either which is another major factor :). Reply
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