How Do I Get Rid of Aiptasia in My Reef Tank?

Aiptasia are pest anemones that spread quickly in reef tanks, stinging corals and stealing food from your livestock. The good news? Multiple effective solutions exist for every tank and budget.

Biological Controls (Best Long-Term Solution)

Natural predators provide ongoing prevention and are reef-safe:

• Peppermint Shrimp - The most popular choice. Add 1-2 per 20 gallons. True Lysmata wurdemanni species are the most effective; avoid imposters like camelback shrimp.
• Aiptasia-Eating Filefish (Acreichthys tomentosus) - Voracious aiptasia hunters, but may nip at coral polyps in some tanks.
• Berghia Nudibranch - Specialist aiptasia eaters. Expensive but extremely effective. They'll starve once aiptasia is gone, so plan ahead.
• Copperband Butterflyfish - Some individuals eat aiptasia aggressively; others ignore them. Needs a larger tank (75+ gallons).

Chemical Treatments (Fast Results)

For immediate action on visible aiptasia:

• Aiptasia-X - The gold standard. Inject directly into the aiptasia's mouth. The anemone eats the paste and dies. Reef-safe when used correctly.
• Kalkwasser Paste - Mix calcium hydroxide into a thick paste and inject. Kills on contact. Can spike pH locally, so use sparingly.
• Lemon Juice - Budget DIY option. Inject into the anemone's base. Less reliable than commercial products.
• Boiling Water - Only works for aiptasia on removable rocks. Messy but effective.

Treatment Tips

1. Turn off pumps during injection treatments to prevent spreading paste
2. Target the anemone's mouth/base, not just the tentacles
3. Wait 24 hours before treating the same spot again
4. Never physically rip aiptasia out - fragments regenerate into new anemones
5. Combine methods: chemical for visible ones, biological for prevention

Prevention

Stop aiptasia before it starts:

• Dip all new coral to kill hitchhikers
• Quarantine live rock before adding to your display
• Keep peppermint shrimp as permanent tank residents
• Act fast when you spot the first one - they multiply rapidly

Most reefers use a combination approach: Aiptasia-X for visible pests, plus peppermint shrimp for ongoing control. With persistence, you can eliminate aiptasia and keep your tank pest-free.