Berghia Nudibranchs
Description:
A sea slug that preys exclusively on pest Glass rose anemones (Aiptasia spp.).
A white-coloured sea slug (family Aeolidiidae) with beige colour at the base
of its gill filaments. In well-fed individuals, the gill filaments may contain
more brown colour from ingested zooxanthellae.
Natural Ecology: The
xooxanthellae ingested with Aiptasia tissues reside within Berghia briefly
before it is expelled, giving its gills a brown colour. It is not known whether
Berghia utilizes photosynthates from the zooxanthellae, or that the algal
endosymbionts are simply passing through. The tendency for Berghia to hide
in dark recesses and their survival in dimly lit tanks suggests that they
are not dependent on the zooxanthellae.
Indigenous To: Caribbean Sea.
Behaviour: A sea slug that preys exclusively on pest Glass
rose anemones (Aiptasia spp.). Berghia will hide in crevices away from light,
only coming out to feed on Aiptasia in the dark. When the Berghia population
is substantial and Aiptasia are becoming scarce, Berghia may be forced to
forage even during lit hours.
Compatibility: Berghia will ignore other reef invertebrates and corals,
and is ideal for coral reef aquaria. There are no reported cases of predation
on Berghia, although certain species of Wrasse and Hawkish, some shrimp and
carnivorous crab are opportune feeders and if they don’t succeed in
eating the Berghia will severely damage them in the attempt.
Food: Berghia-UK specimens have been raised on a strict diet
of Aiptasia tissue, and will continue to prey exclusively on Aiptasia anemones.
Max Size: 1.5 inches.
Habitat Zone: Reef flats.Depth: Not described. Probably shallow,
but absent from the intertidal zone.
Considerations:
Glass anemones (Aiptasia spp.) are prolific pests in coral reef aquaria. These
anemones have powerful stings that discourage full polyp extension and local
colonization of ornamental corals and zooanthids. Berghia is the most effective
means of Aiptasia eradication because Berghia feed exclusively on Aiptasia.
Less effective means of Aiptasia control include the Copperband Butterfly
(Chelmon rostratus) and the Peppermint Shrimp (Lysmata wurdemani), both of
which will sometimes graze on ornamental corals or eat in preference to Aiptasia.
You need to stock your tank with berghia according to the level of your aiptasia
infestation. You must have just enough berghia to be able to consume the aips
quicker than the aips can spawn more. If you do not stock to this level it
will appear that the berghia are not working when infact they are just being
ou produced by the aips.
Hardiness: Berghia-UK specimens are well adapted to captivity.
Min. Aquarium
Size: 2 gallons
You are not allowed to reproduce any information or pictures from this website without our written permission.
.jpg){kind=small}
 |