Yet another method for Aiptasia control...

[Amphiprion]

As I had briefly mentioned in another thread, I recently purchased what is called a bristletailed filefish (Acreicthys tomentosus). These filefish, unlike most of their cousins, stay quite small (~3" or so) and they do a very good job as far as eating Aiptasia. The individual I have has cleared the tank of most of them in a few weeks. I can only see a few very small individuals left now. At any rate, this is a relatively small, extremely peaceful, hardy fish (especially compared to other alternatives, like copperbanded butterflyfish) that does actually eat these anemones. Additionally, the little guy has yet to touch any corals. There is a caveat to the last part, however, in that in my particular tank, there are only SPS and a select few LPS corals--so not terribly much to nip on. I figured those who are unaware of this fish may want to know about it as a viable alternative, especially for smaller tanks. I am very happy with mine. Here is a pic (not mine) of this lovely little fish:

Image courtesy of Aquafauna.be

http://www.aquafauna.be/marins/Fish/Filefish/Acreichthys%20tomentosus.JPG

[Catpicklesdog]

We've started stocking them at work because of their aiptasia eaing abilities:) I did have a guy in yesterdsay who had read that it's hard to keep them alive for long because that something is missing from their diet but researchers are yet to work out what.

Have you heard this?

[dorkfish]

Nice to hear this now... I just saw one of those at that lfs "hey that looks cool", of course no idea what it was. I ended up getting a peppermint for my aiptasia infestation - no sign of it since I put it in. I have to wonder how this would work out in my tank though, as I have a couple colonys of wood polyps which might get taken down with the aiptasias - might be willing to sacrifice them though...

[Amphiprion]

We've started stocking them at work because of their aiptasia eaing abilities:) I did have a guy in yesterdsay who had read that it's hard to keep them alive for long because that something is missing from their diet but researchers are yet to work out what.

Have you heard this?


No I haven't. They seem to readily eat anything offered and there are at least a handful of people who have had them on an extended basis (years).

Edit: I've checked out the observed qualitative analysis of the diet and it doesn't appear much different or more specialized than other filefish (minus the obvious ones). Here's a link: http://filaman.ifm-geomar.de/TrophicEco/FoodItemsList.php?vstockcode=8159&genus=Acreichthys&species=tomentosus

If you manage to come across the person you mentioned earlier, ask him where he had read that.

[Conski]

does joes juice work?

[Amphiprion]

It certainly does, but it isn't a long term fix. You'll have to go back in a relatively short amount of time and try to dispose of them again.

[pufferfreak]

Lovely way. Second best option besides berghias if you ask me.

[Amphiprion]

Agreed. The Berghia method just requires that you find some and put in a bit of extra work by isolating the rock with them in a separate tank.