Aiptasia eating nudibranchs

[Micro Reefer]

Hello everyone,

This forum is an excellent resource. I recently set up a 10 gallon reef tank ( 2 months ) and I've been putting all sorts of things in there. most recently is an acropora frag and emerald green reef crab. I've noticed some aiptasia growing on some live rock and I would like to "nip it in the bud" without being invasive. I've been looking for Berghia Verrucicornis or another aiptasia eating nudibranch similar in nature. I don't want a pepermint shrimp or a type of fish. If you recently purchased one of these critters and know of a supplier on the east coast of the US, please post the address.


thanks,

Micro Reefer

 

[NaH2O]

Micro Reefer, there is a place in Terre Haute, IN that I think has them. Here is a link:

Inland Aquatics invertebrates I don't know if they have any in stock, but it's worth a call.

Hope this helps

 

[Cougra]

The problem with getting a nudibranch for your small tank is that the only thing the nudibranch will eat is the aiptasia. Once it finishes it's food source what are you going to do with it? What are you going to feed it?

 

[MCSInc]

Life Span

On the other had the natural lifespan of the Berghia is very short. So if you have an infestation of aiptasia why not let the Berghia feed happily through his lifespan and not be upset when he reaches his old age and dies happily.

I know from the meeting that Anthony Calfo is raising them. And here in Washington we have one guy raising them. Maybe he will expand upon their lifespan for us.

 

[cubalz]

My thoughts exactly. This is why I don't have any nudibranches in my tank- although they are quite beautiful. I don't want to put anything in any of my tanks that is doomed to a death sentence.

 

[NaH2O]

Cougra - Welcome to Reef Frontiers, it's great to have you with us!!

If you do get the nudi, maybe after the aiptasia is gone, you could pass the nudi onto a fellow reefer that has aiptasia.

I've also read the product "Joe's Juice" works well on aiptasia without harming surrounding inhabitants....if this happens to be a consideration.

 

[Micro Reefer]

I will not shed any tears if the nudibranch dies. If that nudubranch eats all my aiptasia and then dies, I will consider him a hero and worth every penny!

Thanks Nikki, I'll give them a call. most of the suppliers I've called are out of stock.

I'll post if I'm successful

 

[Ritz]

a nudi in a ten gallon is a disaster waiting to happen. The nudi will most likely find a powerhead before decimating the the aiptasia population.

If it does wipe out the aiptasia, odds are it will die before you realize it is out of food and a slug death in that size tank can be crash worthy.

Get yourself some Stop Aiptasia or Joe's Juice instead.

 

[Micro Reefer]

Joe's Juice

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll try the liquids on the aiptasia before attempting any biological control.

 

[Micro Reefer]

UPDATE!

A friend at the LFS gave me a pepermint shrimp for free, so I tried that route first. The pepermint shrimp turned out to be a wimp.

While in my travels to the many LFS in the area, one person to try injecting the aptasia with calcium. It worked like a charm.

I couldn't find any Joe's Juice here, so if you have the same problem, try injecting them with calcium.

 

[dasaphrota]

where to purchase Berghia verrucicornis

If anyone knows where to get Berghia verrucicornis near Spokane Wa. Please let me know. Thanks a bunch

The Sa in dasaphrota ;-)

 

[The Claw]

I got four of them from the sea slug forum, or a link contained in it. They were great and laid eggs, but powerheads soon claimed them I'm sure. As for their lifespan, if properly fed they last quite some time. They are neat to watch attack a aiptasia. Its like a wolf pack bringing down a prey animal. For that small of a problem I would suggest other mechanical means of warfare. Besides, the odds are that after the nudi starves to death the aiptasia will regrow. They are a little nasty that way.