Berghia Nudibranch

Chessmanmark · Aug 28, 2019

I’ve been in this hobby for 15 years.

When I started in 2004 I was obsessed. I compiled a vast library, surfed numerous forums, and got involved in my local reef club leadership.

I went through numerous tank incarnations, experienced flat worms, red bugs, you name it.

My main display crashed multiple times due to hurricanes, moving, infestations.

And eventually I had a tank full of high end SPS with a calcium reactor.

Then the obsession wore off while work and family responsibilities took precedence.

I recently got the desire to remedy the neglect in my multiple tanks.

My main problem is aiptasia which I’m pretty sure came in on a zoa frag. I should have stuck to SPS.

I was attacking them with Kalk paste and Aiptasia-X, but that was very labor intensive.

I finally decided to order some Berghia Nudibranch.

It amazes me that after 15 years there are still plenty of new organisms that you can acquaint yourself with.

I decided to put them in a 10 gallon tank so I can observe them before they disappear in my display.

What can I say, but that they are amazing. They do the work for you.

Chessmanmark · Sep 2, 2019

It’s been a few days with my first order of Burghia. After the first couple of days they became harder to find as they truly are nocturnal. I usually see one come out searching for food 10-30 minutes before the lights go out on my main tank, which provide light over splash on the Burghia tank. This morning I was lucky to see one still out in the open crawling around on the glass. Each day I put in another piece of rubble with aiptasia on it and they eat the smaller ones by morning.
The goal is to have them reproduce so I can build an army to clean out the display.

User1 · Sep 2, 2019

They work, and work well. The problem is they are too expensive. At least in my opinion.

Chessmanmark · Sep 2, 2019

Just about everything in this hobby is too expensive.

My tank is so bad that if this doesn’t work then I need to remove all my rock and start over.

I would recommend manual removal of aiptasia if you only have a little. If you have a lot then consider how much time, effort, and frustration you will have trying to eradicate them and weigh this with the cost of a natural approach to removal.

Also ask yourself if you have the patience for the length of time Burghia will take to multiply enough to get the job done. If you prefer immediate results a lazer may be better suited to your temperament.

Chessmanmark · Sep 8, 2019

These creatures are fascinating. I found these out in the open this morning. It’s body is pulsing.

The video doesn’t work. I’ll have to try YouTube.

GregOyeah · Sep 8, 2019

where did you buy them from?

AnemoneBay · Sep 8, 2019

Why not an aiptasia eating filefish??

GregOyeah · Sep 8, 2019

AnemoneBay said:
Why not an aiptasia eating filefish??

because Berghias are pretty much risk free. When you put a filefish in your tank theres always a chance they can start eating things you dont want them to, then you gotta get them out of the tank.

its a lot less hassle.

Chessmanmark · Sep 9, 2019

GregOyeah said:
where did you buy them from?

I ended up buying them from SaltyUnderground. He was a pleasure to deal with and gave the best shipping rates.

Chessmanmark · Sep 9, 2019

I put together a short video. The quality on YouTube is not as clear as on my computer, but you can get the idea of my journey. It’s not always easy to observe these creatures as they are generally nocturnal.

Chessmanmark · Sep 14, 2019

I’m not able to view the side of the tank so today I slide my cell phone
Pointed at the side and took a pic. Bingo! Egg spirals. This means I am headed in the right direction.

I also saw a long bristle worm and an asterina. I hope they don’t prey on the eggs or newly hatch Berghia.

Chessmanmark · Sep 17, 2019

I was surprised to see five Burghia out and about around supper time tonight. When I first got them I went a few days without seeing anything as they can be pretty elusive. Four of them are in this picture while one was surfing the water line on the glass. I’m also seeing little white specks on the glass and I’m wondering if they are microscopic size Burghia

Chessmanmark · Dec 22, 2019

Update: It took almost four months but my 90 gallon reef tank that was experiencing a plague level of aiptasia has seen a 95% reduction in aiptasia with the Burghia.

I purchased an aiptasia eating filefish for my 20 gallon nano and it worked quicker to remove the aiptasia in that tank.

Both methods were successful. The Filefish is a cheaper option, however I am still hesitant to move this fish to my SPS reef. The Filefish is a great addition to my nano. It’s an awesome fish to watch.

moz71 · Dec 22, 2019

Awesome results. As you heard the filefish can be problematic!! Literally, 1 hour ago I just was able to catch my new filefish that totally eliminated every aptasia I could see in 10 days. However, quickly turned to my corals. Needless to say I was crushed to see my acans and other corals taking a beating.

Terri Caton · Dec 23, 2019

My filefish won’t touch them. My Copperband is starting to eat them. Hoping the 20 Berghia I added this last week are munching away.

One thing I have done is make a paste out of pickling lime and smother the ones that are encroaching on my corals. After a couple of hours I just suck them up with a turkey Baster.