I had the worst Aiptasia outbreak in my 250 gallon. Tried - peppermint shrimp, Copperband, Filefish, chemical solution (RedSea brand, Ultralife brand - - both worked but a week later they spring back like crazy) and rinsing rock in RODI. Nothing worked in the end. I heard Berghia Nudibranch are the best, but I couldn't get any. The outbreak was so bad, Aiptasia was on my sandbed growing within and sprouting tinier ones by the day. In the end, I had to restart my entire tank, discard most of my corals (few LPS that's all), all biological filter, sand and rock, and let the system run RODI for a week before starting over. My Aiptasia issue started I believe when I added "live rock" (as in from the sea) and not the ones similar to Caribsea. For the restart I used Walt Smith ReefRock2.1 that was fully purple, but 2 years later it is almost brown with coraline algae growing in a few spots. I also went bottomless this time to try it out - the end result the light bounces more at the base giving additional light I guess to the rockwork. For corals, I now quarantine each and every piece for at least 10 days, checking for pests and Aiptasia. It's really unfortunate we don't have a "true chemical solution" that is reef safe and that would melt these pesky Aiptasia away.
Aiptasia eating filefish (lat: Acreichthys tomentosus) was what finally made it, for me. Had ended up with Aiptasia X as my favorite topical application method, but then corona hit Norway. As a doctor I was working 80-90 hours per week. The tank was neglected, and I got to experience first hand what an aiptasia explosion entail. First time, in 13 years of reefing. Had aiptasia in pretty much all my systems (almost endemic for reef tanks in Europe), but never a takeover. Peppermint shrimps made little to no difference. Covered all surfaces with Aiptasia X, followed by several 100% water changes. Seemed to work for a few days, then they all came back at the same time. Finally, there was a filefish at my LFS. Drove 1,5 hour one way. 2 weeks later, I can count the number of tiny retracted hiding aiptasia on one hand! The filefish is happily eating frozen food, and is quite the character. No nipping on corals. Probably well fed 😊 The camoflage is amazing. Turns bright yellow when hanging out around my sarcophyton, then brown/grey when hanging around rocks and pumps. I will never have a system without this fish again! ❤
Funnily enough Cam, I was watching a video the other day, and it was mentioned how great 👍 stripeys were in eradicating aptasia. So I’m sure you’ve made the right choice, look 👀 forward to the results in next weeks video. 👍🏴
It’s almost like our whole industry here has just discovered something some people have always known. It’s crazy because I always see stripeys swimming around in the areas I collect my natural seawater, yet I never looked at them as anything but a local mongrel fish. In the last few months they’ve almost become the most sought after fish in the shop! Cam
Is that a Katoi Fairywrasse (cirrhilabrus katoi) I see in the tank? Beautiful fish, the colouring is stunning. I've a Lineatus Fairywrasse, also a beautiful fish, but I'd take that one any day
@@johnbrand1893 Thanks for the recommendation. So "Piranha of the Seas" great for taking care of aiptasia but they will probably eat most anything else including corals. Sounds like a difficult choice to make there :D
I have aptasia grow on my Julian feeding ring, they grew huge as they are direct feed, I left them there as they didnt spread , then they dislodged over a few days and flew down into my reef. Huge ones ! After many years of natural live rock I’m moving to dry rock and hopefully a better easier to control reef. Careful introduction by way of quarantine etc. well that’s the hope
How do Cam? If the Stripey doesn't work out for you, I would recommend a Racoon Butterflyfish, used them a few times, relatively reef safe, everyone has loved Aiptasia. Doesn't completely remove them, some still in the system where the fish can't reach. A lot more hardy than a Copperband butterfly. How's the large SPS fibreglass tank coming along??
I liken Aptasia X to playing whack a mole. Any chance of posting other names for the fish for those not used to it at all, especially the latin as that isn't regional. Is it the Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon striatus) ?
@@jesshawkless7916 Important difference. Banded Butterfly is listed on my normal research site as not reef safe. Stripey isn't there at all. Have to say that I would like an alternative to the copperband whose long term survival is too low, too often, for my liking.
Stripey is how I control aiptasia in my tank, too. I leave it in the display for a month, it decimates the aiptasia and I move it back to the frag tank, because it is a glutton and eats most of the food before the others. So much so that some fish will start to starve. It nips corals every once in a while, but not viciously, so no big deal. Great utilitarian fish. It also helps control AEFW and Monti eating nudis, as it eats them from the water column, after I blow the corals.
We do have filefish, and some people here report great results too. I’ve tried them without success, so it makes me wonder if I tried the wrong species. I think there are a few specs that look quite similar. Cam
We have successfully used both peppermints and Stripeys at the same time to control aiptasia in our mixed reef (can't confirm eradication) The only innocent victims thus far being Giant Clams. Significant reduction within a week, no sign of any aiptasia after 3 weeks.
I like those house of card scapes..... until I have to catch fish lol! I grew up keeping these robust guys, stripeys aint that fussy on food they channel their inner scat. Even beg for food a similar way. My main problem I had was they ganged up and took out an urchin of all things!
Interesting! But Cam, what about the spawning Gold Torch? Did the spawn survive and what about the mother colony? :D I'm fairly sure it was in that tank.
I never used to add stripeys because of their aggressive nature, however now I’ve started using them as aiptasia control it seems they’re probably not quite as bad as I thought. It always depends on the nature of the other fish in the aquarium of course. Cam
Lol, get rid of the aiptasia but lose all your fish through introducing a non-quarantined fish. Not a great example to set, given the massive prevalence of disease in today’s industry
@@GalleryAquaticaTV has this conversation on your pathogen ‘eradication’ video where you clearly state it takes months and you recommend keeping it on for maintenance. So, no, that’s also not true.
"Something in the tank ate all the peppermint shrimp" , Longnose Hawkfish - *waddles away quickly* lol
I thought the same thing!!
LOL!
My fairywrasse eats all shrimp and i see he also has one
Yep I thought that immediately
That long nose hawk is an absolute monster!!!! Stunning fish!
Same
Met some fellow Gallery Aquatica viewers at our frag swap last weekend! St. Louis loves your channel!
Oh wow that’s great to hear! It’s also great to hear frag swaps still happening, we haven’t had one here in ages. Cam
Oh Cam that's the way to leave us all hanging ha ha look forward to next week have a great day.
Haha! Let’s hope it’s a good result or next week’s video will be a flop😂
This is your best video yet. It is a very well presented story.
I had the worst Aiptasia outbreak in my 250 gallon. Tried - peppermint shrimp, Copperband, Filefish, chemical solution (RedSea brand, Ultralife brand - - both worked but a week later they spring back like crazy) and rinsing rock in RODI. Nothing worked in the end. I heard Berghia Nudibranch are the best, but I couldn't get any. The outbreak was so bad, Aiptasia was on my sandbed growing within and sprouting tinier ones by the day. In the end, I had to restart my entire tank, discard most of my corals (few LPS that's all), all biological filter, sand and rock, and let the system run RODI for a week before starting over. My Aiptasia issue started I believe when I added "live rock" (as in from the sea) and not the ones similar to Caribsea. For the restart I used Walt Smith ReefRock2.1 that was fully purple, but 2 years later it is almost brown with coraline algae growing in a few spots. I also went bottomless this time to try it out - the end result the light bounces more at the base giving additional light I guess to the rockwork. For corals, I now quarantine each and every piece for at least 10 days, checking for pests and Aiptasia. It's really unfortunate we don't have a "true chemical solution" that is reef safe and that would melt these pesky Aiptasia away.
Nice Kuiters Wrasse, one of my favourites. :-)
Good spotting! One of my favourites too😊 Cam
Aiptasia eating filefish (lat: Acreichthys tomentosus) was what finally made it, for me. Had ended up with Aiptasia X as my favorite topical application method, but then corona hit Norway. As a doctor I was working 80-90 hours per week. The tank was neglected, and I got to experience first hand what an aiptasia explosion entail. First time, in 13 years of reefing. Had aiptasia in pretty much all my systems (almost endemic for reef tanks in Europe), but never a takeover. Peppermint shrimps made little to no difference. Covered all surfaces with Aiptasia X, followed by several 100% water changes. Seemed to work for a few days, then they all came back at the same time. Finally, there was a filefish at my LFS. Drove 1,5 hour one way. 2 weeks later, I can count the number of tiny retracted hiding aiptasia on one hand! The filefish is happily eating frozen food, and is quite the character. No nipping on corals. Probably well fed 😊 The camoflage is amazing. Turns bright yellow when hanging out around my sarcophyton, then brown/grey when hanging around rocks and pumps. I will never have a system without this fish again! ❤
That’s great to hear. It seems there are quite a few reefers who’ve had success with these fish. Cam
great video you put together
Fingers crossed for the stripey. Another great video.
Thanks Randall😊
Funnily enough Cam, I was watching a video the other day, and it was mentioned how great 👍 stripeys were in eradicating aptasia.
So I’m sure you’ve made the right choice, look 👀 forward to the results in next weeks video. 👍🏴
It’s almost like our whole industry here has just discovered something some people have always known. It’s crazy because I always see stripeys swimming around in the areas I collect my natural seawater, yet I never looked at them as anything but a local mongrel fish. In the last few months they’ve almost become the most sought after fish in the shop! Cam
@@GalleryAquaticaTV
The video I was talking about was from Parker’s Reef, he was visiting and filming in his lfs, Dear Park Aquaria. 👍🏴
I had to take it back and listen again - that was a big ass splash when he entered the tank hahaha
Is that a Katoi Fairywrasse (cirrhilabrus katoi) I see in the tank?
Beautiful fish, the colouring is stunning.
I've a Lineatus Fairywrasse, also a beautiful fish, but I'd take that one any day
Looking forward to the update next week!
What a fricking tease! Trying to figure out if I just want to completely take my tank down now due to aiptasia... and what the hell is a "stripey"?
Mike B
Watch Parker’s Reef, titled,
Australian Marine Aquarium tour,
Of his Lfs, they have a piece in the video about 12.40mins in on stripeys.
@@johnbrand1893 Thanks for the recommendation. So "Piranha of the Seas" great for taking care of aiptasia but they will probably eat most anything else including corals. Sounds like a difficult choice to make there :D
Following closely! hopefully the Zoas are okay! If so I may be adding one in shortly!
I have aptasia grow on my Julian feeding ring, they grew huge as they are direct feed, I left them there as they didnt spread , then they dislodged over a few days and flew down into my reef. Huge ones ! After many years of natural live rock I’m moving to dry rock and hopefully a better easier to control reef. Careful introduction by way of quarantine etc. well that’s the hope
The Hawkfish had him in it's sights from the get go
Oooh I love him!! Send me one to the states lol can't wait to see how he does
Has it been eating the Aptasia? What kind of fish species is what you call a “stripey”?
Tanner Funai They said below, M. Strigatus
Love the “splash” lol
Been hoping to see an update on this topic
What is a stripey exactly? Id totally try one myself.
The stripey - Microcanthus strigatus.
australian.museum/learn/animals/fishes/stripey-microcanthus-strigatus/
How do Cam? If the Stripey doesn't work out for you, I would recommend a Racoon Butterflyfish, used them a few times, relatively reef safe, everyone has loved Aiptasia. Doesn't completely remove them, some still in the system where the fish can't reach. A lot more hardy than a Copperband butterfly. How's the large SPS fibreglass tank coming along??
I liken Aptasia X to playing whack a mole. Any chance of posting other names for the fish for those not used to it at all, especially the latin as that isn't regional. Is it the Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon striatus) ?
Stripey - Microcanthus strigatus
@@jesshawkless7916 Important difference. Banded Butterfly is listed on my normal research site as not reef safe. Stripey isn't there at all. Have to say that I would like an alternative to the copperband whose long term survival is too low, too often, for my liking.
What's the stripey's Latin name are they exported as a aquarium fish?
My tassled file fish destroyed the aiptasia in my tank. I had to home her because it was all she would eat. 8 tanks on she is still going strong.
When there is gonna be an update of the sps mothership?? 😁😃
Happy reefing!
Como se llama ese pez!!?? What is the name of that fish !! ??
Stripey is how I control aiptasia in my tank, too. I leave it in the display for a month, it decimates the aiptasia and I move it back to the frag tank, because it is a glutton and eats most of the food before the others. So much so that some fish will start to starve.
It nips corals every once in a while, but not viciously, so no big deal. Great utilitarian fish.
It also helps control AEFW and Monti eating nudis, as it eats them from the water column, after I blow the corals.
Hi cam I have a huge aiptasia problem. Do you have some stripeys in stock? I’ll pick one up tomorrow
No sorry we sold out on Sunday. We will have more soon but can’t confirm exactly when I’m afraid. Cam
@@GalleryAquaticaTV no worries thanks cam
Do you have file fish in Australia because my problem was worse 1 file fish eat them all, Wayne from UK
We do have filefish, and some people here report great results too. I’ve tried them without success, so it makes me wonder if I tried the wrong species. I think there are a few specs that look quite similar. Cam
Who’s tank behind you
What’s that black tang called? He looks so cool
We call them “Gold Rim Tangs” or sometimes “White Cheek”. They are beautiful fish when happy and healthy like this fine specimen. Cam
We have successfully used both peppermints and Stripeys at the same time to control aiptasia in our mixed reef (can't confirm eradication) The only innocent victims thus far being Giant Clams. Significant reduction within a week, no sign of any aiptasia after 3 weeks.
I like those house of card scapes..... until I have to catch fish lol! I grew up keeping these robust guys, stripeys aint that fussy on food they channel their inner scat. Even beg for food a similar way. My main problem I had was they ganged up and took out an urchin of all things!
I wonder why it's called a stripey 🤔
Interesting! But Cam, what about the spawning Gold Torch? Did the spawn survive and what about the mother colony? :D I'm fairly sure it was in that tank.
oh wow, not quarantining the new secret weapon fish! Let's pray it doesn't have the rona.
Very cool
What fish is that?
We call them “Stripey”.
Aww Second, Hello Cam the fish Guy :P
What are you doing up, it’s not even 3 in the morning...
@@GalleryAquaticaTV haha, its 5pm here in England :P , you guys not had anyluck with a file fish for Aiptasia?
Well that explains it😂
Why not just remove the right side rocks?
Its covered in Zoa's I believe.
The aiptasia were everywhere, so it wasn’t going to solve the problem removing some rocks. Also there were Zoas we were trying to preserve. Cam
An aptasia eating FileFish and Redsea Aptasia X work for me. Double dose of attack on those suckers.
File fish works super
I’ve never had any luck with Filefish, which makes me wonder if I had the right species. Cam
He should have put dozens of peppermint shrimp. It's cheap and readily available.
✌ C.kleinii my "secret" weapon against aips and crap like that
You know the X in Aiptasia X stands for Xtra... use that product and get Xtra aiptasia in no time!
Lol, it’s almost like they enjoy it sometimes😂
Hi,
IMHO, your hook fish is probably the one that ate your shrimp. Good luck...
They are very aggressive ;(
I never used to add stripeys because of their aggressive nature, however now I’ve started using them as aiptasia control it seems they’re probably not quite as bad as I thought. It always depends on the nature of the other fish in the aquarium of course. Cam
Lol, get rid of the aiptasia but lose all your fish through introducing a non-quarantined fish. Not a great example to set, given the massive prevalence of disease in today’s industry
There’s a UV steriliser on the tank so introducing disease was never a risk. Cam
@@GalleryAquaticaTV lol, that’s not true. But ok.
The only problem the UV won’t stop is flukes, which are so host specific they won’t spread to the other fish, so it’s close enough to true. Cam
@@GalleryAquaticaTV has this conversation on your pathogen ‘eradication’ video where you clearly state it takes months and you recommend keeping it on for maintenance. So, no, that’s also not true.
Quarentine was the solution, the ridiculous habit of aquarist dont quarentine the system.