Copperband Butterfly

Question
QUESTION: I brought a Copperband Butterfly to eat the aiptasia that I have alot of I think he is dying as he's swimming upside down what do you think? do you know how to get rid of aiptasia, someone told me to fresh water dip my live rock for about 45 minutes is that bad? thanks for your help

ANSWER: Hi Lynn. Do not do a fresh water dip on your live rock. Yes it will kill these bad anemones but it will also kill everything else that makes your live rock live. There are many products on the market that when used properly will kill off the aiptasia anemones. You will need a syringe with a needle on it to inject these substances into the anemone itself. I have had much luck simply using a small syringe filled with lemon juice or calcium(the kind you buy for reef tanks) and carefully injecting one of these substances into the anemone. You have to be quick to catch it as it is out and not to frighten it. You also have to be patient because you may not always get them on the first try. I have also had very much success using peppermint shrimp to eat these anemones and they will usually solve the problem fairly quickly. Some products to try are Chem-Marin stop aipasia, Blue Life Aiptasia control and Joes Juice. Don't be too concerned with these anemones though. As long as you can get rid of them a few at a time you should have them completely exterminated from your tank with in a few weeks using any of these products. As for you copperband b'fly the outlook does not look so good if he is swimming upside down.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: How much do you inject? Which one is better for the tank lemon juice or calcium? How many peppermint shrimp can I have in a 65 gallon tank? Sorry so many questions, just never had  anyone to every ask.
Thanks again!

Answer
Hello again. In a 65 gallon tank you could house four or five peppermint shrimp. They are very peaceful and will not bother anyone else in your tank. Calcium is the safer product to use, however lemon juice works a little bit better. You will only need to inject a small amount of either of these. If you can get a syringe try to get one labled for insulin injection. These are usually only 1 cc syringes. You will only need to inject about 1/2 cc if that into the anemone in order to kill it. Only use a maximum of 3 cc's at a time and do a small partial of a gallon or two around the area you injected to help remove the dead anemone and any lemon juice out of the water. The same applies if you are using a liquid calcium. However you may not need to do a partial and depending on where your calcium level already is you may be able to use a little bit more at a time. Be very carful when using either of these around any other corals or anemones you may have. They can have a very detrimental effect on them as well. I have personally used lemon juice and had great success with it. I have never tried the calcium although I hear it works well also. Too much lemon juice added may lower your pH a bit but I have not noticed any other effects on the water chemistry. As long as you are only doing a little at a time you will be fine. If you get a few peppermint shrimp as well and don't feed your tank for a day or two to leave the shrimps hungry they will help. If you feed the shrimps too well they won't do as good of a job however the one I have has kept any more of these pesky anemones from returning to my tank even though I still have a few in my filter!