Berghia nudibranch

[RichWise73]

I was thinking of getting some berghia ro help eradicate some aiptasia before they explode in numbers. What methods can be used to recapture the nudibranchs once the aiptasia are gone? I was looking to rehome them rather than letting them starve to death.

 

[OrchidMiss]

If you have a plastic pipette, cut the tip off, about 1-2", so it's a wide opening and suck them up gently. They release pretty easily.

 

[Peace River]

In addition to the spot-on comment from @OrchidMiss, if they are hungry they will be white and IME they will often come out looking for food making them easier to access.

 

[LFGJP]

Hey @RichWise73
I’ll take them off your hands after they destroy your aptasia! I’ve been breeding aptasias for some berghias
So lmk!

 

[RichWise73]

Hey @RichWise73
I’ll take them off your hands after they destroy your aptasia! I’ve been breeding aptasias for some berghias
So lmk!

Will do. I’m placing an order this weekend.

 

[VintageReefer]

I have 14 since January and they are starving out. When they can’t find aiptasia they will let go of rocks and float around in hope of being brought to a new area to hunt more. I keep finding them in the return chamber of my sump or floating around. They are alive. You will also see them out in day time more because they are hungry and exploring. I am convinced I have no aiptasia left.

 

[OrchidMiss]

I have 14 since January and they are starving out. When they can’t find aiptasia they will let go of rocks and float around in hope of being brought to a new area to hunt more. I keep finding them in the return chamber of my sump or floating around. They are alive. You will also see them out in day time more because they are hungry and exploring. I am convinced I have no aiptasia left.

Want some? I'll send you a rock

 

[fangelillo01]

How long did it take for you to notice a difference? Battling a horrible infestation. I've added about 18 total over last few months.

 

[OrchidMiss]

It's a slow process, how large is your tank? You said you have a bad infestation?

 

[Peace River]

How long did it take for you to notice a difference? Battling a horrible infestation. I've added about 18 total over last few months.

There are lots of variables, but it is a months thing, not a days or weeks solution.

 

[LFGJP]

I have 14 since January and they are starving out. When they can’t find aiptasia they will let go of rocks and float around in hope of being brought to a new area to hunt more. I keep finding them in the return chamber of my sump or floating around. They are alive. You will also see them out in day time more because they are hungry and exploring. I am convinced I have no aiptasia left.

Il…take them off your hands… or return chamber if you’d like hahaha

 

[Doctorgori]

a unsolicited plug for Reeftown,
satisfied customer

 

[VintageReefer]

How long did it take for you to notice a difference? Battling a horrible infestation. I've added about 18 total over last few months.

I added 14 to my 75g tank in January. Berghia are pack hunters until they are fully grown. To truly outcompete the aiptasia which are constantly reproducing, your berghia need to reproduce also. They need to lay eggs and start the process of multiplying beyond the amount we originally buy

I have defeated massive infestations twice with berghia. What I learned is

1) a tank is very large for them. Aiptasia is everywhere. I divide the tank in thirds and make 3 berghia starting colonies. I turn off flow completely and using a wide pipette tool, I place them in groups of 5 on the left, center, and right side of the tank. Let them grab on rock and hide. And then then on flow and lights.

2 months went by. 2 months. And I didn’t see a single berghia. And I was checking at night with a flashlight. Didn’t see one for 2 months.

Then one day at almost exactly the two month mark, I found one at night. And then I saw it again the next night. And a few days later I saw 2. And from then on I could find a few out at night at any random time I chose to look. Then I started seeing big huge ones in the day time. I saw groups of smaller ones working together to eat aiptasia.

This all started around mid to late march. We are now at the end of April and I haven’t been able to find an aiptasia for a week and the berghia are randomly found in my sump or floating / drifting looking for new spots. I am convinced if I had any aiptasia they would be on top of it.

These came from reef town btw

 

[VintageReefer]

Il…take them off your hands… or return chamber if you’d like hahaha

I just checked now in day hours

 

[VintageReefer]

I would sell and ship them but I can not guarantee their survival. I don’t know how long before they starve and I don’t know when they ate last. I don’t fully feel comfortable unless someone was willing to accept risk and pay the shipping.

 

[LFGJP]

I would sell and ship them but I can not guarantee their survival. I don’t know how long before they starve and I don’t know when they ate last. I don’t fully feel comfortable unless someone was willing to accept risk and pay the shipping.

I’ll pay for shipping no problem
I’ll send you a dm

 

[VintageReefer]

Captured 6 easily.
1 small
4 medium
1 medium - large with reddish tones
1 large with reddish tones

I would sell the group for 40$ + sh
Keep in mind the large sell for 27$ a piece and I haven’t seen them available in months.

issue is we need fast shipping and there’s no movement on sundays.

Anyone interested I have a water tight jar and insulated boxes. Send me a pm

 

[fangelillo01]

a unsolicited plug for Reeftown,
satisfied customer

Me too!! He's been gold for me getting them.

 

[Jmp998]

Captured 6 easily.
1 small
4 medium
1 medium - large with reddish tones
1 large with reddish tones

I would sell the group for 40$ + sh
Keep in mind the large sell for 27$ a piece and I haven’t seen them available in months.

issue is we need fast shipping and there’s no movement on sundays.

Anyone interested I have a water tight jar and insulated boxes. Send me a pm

If you have no food and are trying to hold them for a couple days, keep them around 65 degrees. It will not hurt them, and it will significantly slow their metabolism so that they do not starve as quickly.

 

[LFGJP]

If you have no food and are trying to hold them for a couple days, keep them around 65 degrees. It will not hurt them, and it will significantly slow their metabolism so that they do not starve as quickly.

Whoa first time hearing that
Makes sense
And might help folks keep Berghia for longer