The Puffer Forum

I believe there are a couple aiptasia on some of my live rock. I know these are considered to be a pest anemone in reef aquariums, but are they dangerous to fish?

My tank is set up as a fish only with live rock tank; it is stocked with a 5" Porcupine Puffer and a 2.5" Maroon Clown.

These anemone's arent bothering me since I don't have any corals for them to kill. They're not currently multiplying so they're not really taking over the tank either. My question is, are they dangerous to my fish?

Thanks,
Mike

Nope, just to other corals. You might even like them.

If you want to get rid of them you could use Joe's Juice.

Thanks guys. I see no reason to get rid of them, I just want to make sure I'm not putting my fish in danger.

Peppermint shrimp work great for eliminating Aiptasia... You may lose them to the puffer though...

Watch out - it spreads really quickly and can overtake your live rock

I added this guy to the tank for a clean-up crew. He's nearly as large as my puffer so he's too big to be eaten. He seems to be eating the Aiptasia, do hermits generally do this?

Nice looking crab!

Watch out... If he's as big as he seems, he may take out some of your fish. I had a hairy hermit that did some serious damage to my collection early on.

The only fish that ever spends any time near the bottom is my puffer and he's at least twice the size of the crab. You don't think the crab could damage the puffer do you?

He may last a while but your puffer will be able to eat him, no problem.

Aptasia can sting fish if they are big enough. Watch for white marks and ragged fins.