Drewumberger
New Member
I have a 20 gallon tank with aptasia on almost every rock. How many bergia nudibranch should I use to get rid of my aptasia?
Aptasia quantity
- Thread starter Drewumberger
- Start date
Hmm they’re pretty good at moving through them - I’d say 4 but that could be pricy and they will probably breed - it’s all they eat so I feel bad that they will starve at some point unless you can catch them and move them on which is hard.
A cheaper option would be a peppermint shrimp. My solitary one has done a great job at culling the herd but also seems to be a very good farmer appearing to leave just enough in the field to not eradicate them completely and, have a source of food if I miss feeding the corals. If that’s his plan I’m good with that, the balance looks right. If I introduced a second shrimp I’m sure that plan would be put the window.
Easier to catch a shrimp and rehome it if you need to.
A cheaper option would be a peppermint shrimp. My solitary one has done a great job at culling the herd but also seems to be a very good farmer appearing to leave just enough in the field to not eradicate them completely and, have a source of food if I miss feeding the corals. If that’s his plan I’m good with that, the balance looks right. If I introduced a second shrimp I’m sure that plan would be put the window.
Easier to catch a shrimp and rehome it if you need to.
- Messages
- 646
- Reaction score
- 635
Another option is a copper banded butterfly.
I had about 25-30 visible aiptasia in my 180. Put in 8 peppermint shrimp and it took them months to slowly find most of them, then still had two in the glass corners that they didn't find for several more months but they finally found them.
I mean.. that's an expensive and difficult way to solve it. Those fish are notorious for being hard to keep. That being said, I'd luke to have one but i don't think I can manage one at the moment.
Several members frequently have nudibranchs for sale. I'd check the FS threads for some and maybe message them even if the thread is old. They might have some and just haven't posted. That's how I got rid of mine.
- Messages
- 646
- Reaction score
- 635
I agree. Nudies are a less expensive way. I was fortunate with my copperband. Got him at Reef Shac a couple of years ago. Haven't had an aptasia since. Before I purchased him, I watched him eat frozen Mysis. One of the more prevalent issues with them is getting them to eat.
Peppermint shrimp can also be a viable alternative. I have not personally used them before, but I have friends who have. Two of the three people I know who bought them were successful in ridding themselves of aptasia. The other one had no such luck.
One thing to be aware of with “peppermint shrimp” is not every shrimp sold as one is a true peppermint shrimp. On top of that, they will eat LPS after they run out of aiptasia to eat, as I found out the hard way. I had 2 take out multiple heads of torches, hammers, and acans my first year in the hobby before I realized what was happening.
