Re: More information: fighting Aiptasia

May 10, 2002
From: Phil C.

Dear Dr. Bill & Vincent,
Concerning this discussion. I spend a lot of time reading saltwater aquarium forums, and this is what I have read many, many times:

Aiptasia are extremely difficult to get rid of. If you try to scrape, mutilate, or severely damage them, usually each piece will grow into another anemone. Thus, easily multiplying your problem. Most chemical methods for killing them involve tediously dripping/squirting corrosive substances onto/into them (such as concentrated limewater or muriatic acid). This would probably not be a good idea with food oysters.

The most trusted and easiest method seems to be the "natural" way. There are three animals reported to readily eat Aiptasia (in the US aquarium trade): the Copperband Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus), the Peppermint Shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni), and, of course, "Berghia verrucicornis". I do not know if any of these creatures are endemic to Tahiti, but I suspect a species of Lysmata Shrimp could be found locally. Of course any local animals that eat Aiptasia would be preferable to importing a species. There may even be a local species of nudibranch that would eat the Aiptasia (Dr. Rudman???).

It still amazes me how many species are unnamed, and how many more we know nothing about.
Highest Regards,
Phil

chiron42@msn.com

Phil C., 2002 (May 10) Re: More information: fighting Aiptasia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6920

Thanks Phil,
Bill Rudman

Factsheet

'Berghia verrucicornis' in aquaria

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