Disappearing Xenia.

[1460sun]

Temps not the problem, I'm not talking about head dropping, I talking a stalk 2 1/2 to 3 inches gone in one night. I had one peppermint shrimp for several months and he never touched anything and then I read that peppermint shrimp did better when there were several. So I bought 5 more. If I could catch them they'd go in the refuge.

[GaryP]

Its not just dwarf angels that will eat Xenia. Several of the larger species will as well. I've kept 4 different species of dwarf angels and they have never eaten any Xenia. However, as many of you know, there are no rules carved in stone with any species.

[Sherri]

Caught my peppermint pulling the head out of my featherduster....got him out after that - he had already taken care of my aiptasia...which I have no more.

[GaryP]

Hyst for the sake of general information, Berghia Nudibranches are a much better way to go to control Aiptasia. The only thing Berghia will eat is Aiptasia.

[JimD]

I disagree, the fact that thats ALL they eat means they die when its food source is gone unless you can remove it and pass it on. Ill stick with the shrimp. Nothing against the Nudis, this is just what works for me, ymmv. I direct feed mine daily so he's well fed. Id be willing to sacrifice an occasional feather duster or whatever to keep the Aipasia population in check... I have none... I only have one Pep in a 60 gallon, I can defnately see where a gang of them could be problematic.

[GaryP]

I think the point is that the berghhia will never completely eliminate the aiptasia. There will alsways be a few basal cells left over from a grazed aiptasia to start a new aiptasia. The same applies to peppermint. As they tear the aiptasia apart as they feed, they are spreading bits and pieces of the aiptasia into the tank and thus spreading them.

[Thunderkat]

Try putting food in there at the bottom for the shrimp to eat. If they shrimp have food then maybe they will not eat your xenia (hopefully).

Also try searching at night for odd looking snails, slugs, or even a spider looking critter. Saw a few hitchikers in my invertebrate book that could be eating them.