First sighting of aptasia, what to do?

[thbrewst]

Well, tank has been up and running at my location (bought a full set-up from someone) and see my first 2 aptasia today. I used to have a peppermint shrimp but he 'committed suicide' a few months ago, so there is really nothing in the tank to keep them from spreading.

What should I do? Get another peppermint? Aptasia X (or the like)? Other options?

At this point I only see 2 small ones, but really don't want this to spread out of control.

Thanks

 

[mph84]

i'd go with the peppermints. they have always worked for me as long as the aptasia isn't to large.

 

[smallblock]

Honestly how mature is the system if theres nothing much to lose I would kill the rocks just my pref. If its got alot going on that you would like to keep I'm pretty sure Dave has the best stuff

 

[jeffmuse]

I would epoxy the two aptasia... this pretty much will always kill them. I would also buy the peppermints to destroy any new ones that come up. As long as the aptasia are small, the peppermints will be able to handle them.

 

[cr500_af]

Manually nuke them, and only worry about something that eats them if more and more pop up would be my tactic.

 

[smallblock]

Just thought of something about the pepperment shrimp. There is a post somewhere about the type of pep shrimp that actually eats the aptasia. If my memory serves me correctly Raj had a post explaining it in detail. I cannot rememeber the OP

 

[cr500_af]

Yes, there is a similar-appearing species that is often sold as Atlantic Peppermint Shrimp but won't eat aiptasia. I forget how to tell the difference, but a little Google work for "ID true atlantic peppermint shrimp" should do it.

 

[danielll]

I get aptasia in my tank, but I have two shrimps in there somewhere. I never see the shrimp but once every blue moon, but if i see aptasia one day, the next its gone.

Anyone know if all shrimp are shy as peppermints?

 

[mustangcaleb]

Danielll;631065 wrote: Anyone know if all shrimp are shy as peppermints?

most of them are not as shy, i loved my skunk cleaner shrimp i used to have. you stick your hand in the tank and they jump on and start cleaning your cuticles. they were very outgoing. but everytime i get peppermint, they stay hidden until they just disappear one day, houdini style

 

[rjrgroup]

:rocketwhore::AR15firing::moderator:

 

[darcurr]

I'm not sure why, but my peppermint isn't that shy. It will jump on my hand if I come at it slow. I have had it for well over a year, and I've always feed it flake with a bamboo skewer. It's always runing around the tank when I feed.

 

[markl]

Run.....:shout:

 

[danielll]

darcurr;631177 wrote: I'm not sure why, but my peppermint isn't that shy. It will jump on my hand if I come at it slow. I have had it for well over a year, and I've always feed it flake with a bamboo skewer. It's always runing around the tank when I feed.

You feed your shrimp? Mine is basically on it's own.