Berghia Nudibranch

[metalhead]

Has anyone used, or know anyone who's used Berghia Nudibranch for Aptasia eridication? I was thinking of ordering a couple since I've tried just about everything else to no avail... Just wondering if anyone else has tried them and how it all worked out.

[kevinpo]

Hello,
I have tried them several times and even raised them for a while. They certainly eat Aiptasia but will not eradicate them. They always miss some then starve which allows the Aiptasia to rebound. Peppermint shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni) are much better although you may have to add a half dozen or more to get ones that eat them. Many of the Butterfly Fish will also eat them though only a handful are reef safe.

HTH,
Kevin

[metalhead]

Hello,
I have tried them several times and even raised them for a while. They certainly eat Aiptasia but will not eradicate them. They always miss some then starve which allows the Aiptasia to rebound. Peppermint shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni) are much better although you may have to add a half dozen or more to get ones that eat them. Many of the Butterfly Fish will also eat them though only a handful are reef safe.

HTH,
Kevin

Thanks Kevin! I have already been well down the Copperband/Peppermint road with no luck so far. I have yet to see the CBB or any of the shrimp (I think there's about 10 in there now) eat an aiptasia nor have I noticed any decline in the aiptasia population that I can attribute to their presence.

That said, I went ahead and ordered a few Berghia from Salty Underground yesterday since they were running a 30% off shipping special. Now as long as the shrimp don't eat the Berghia we will see what happens. They (the Berghia) will be in no danger of starving anytime soon though I can assure you.

If this doesn't work I'll start adding more peppermints I guess, not sure what else to do at this point other than kalk the little buggers once a week like usual.

Anyway, I'll let you know how it works out.

Thanks again - Bob

[kevinpo]

What size is your tank?

Regards,
Kevin

[metalhead]

What size is your tank?

Regards,
Kevin

I currently have two 90's hooked to a common sump.

[kevinpo]

Hi Bob,
If you have lots of Aiptasia the berghia should reproduce very quickly. I've seen them lay eggs when they were only 1/4" long. They can get to 1/2" long or so.

Regards,
Kevin

[metalhead]

Hi Bob,
If you have lots of Aiptasia the berghia should reproduce very quickly. I've seen them lay eggs when they were only 1/4" long. They can get to 1/2" long or so.

Regards,
Kevin

Thanks Kevin, that's good news and I do have a multitude so we'll see how it goes. Do you think the peppermint shrimp will bother them at all? If so do you think it would be worthwhile to trap them and relocate them to my frag tank temporarily before adding the Berghia?

[metalhead]

OK so the Berghia are in without a hitch. I did not remove the peppermints but so far every thing's cool.

[kevinpo]

Hello,
The peppermint shrimp will not bother the Berghia.

Regards,
Kevin