I'm doing it... growing aiptasia that is.

[Arizonah13]

I've been thinking about it for several months now, and have officially decided: I'm going to attempt to breed some berghia. I'm not expecting to make big bucks doing it, but if I can get a few dollars (or trades) to at least help support my hobby, that'll be considered a success.

I'm starting with trying to grow many, many, thousands of aiptasia first. So far I have about 10 to work with LOL. I've been reading & googling the heck out of "culturing aiptasia", but if anyone else has any pointers or suggestions, I'm open ears.

I literally just added water to a 20L tank today and plan on picking some easy to reach aiptasia out of my tank tomorrow to plop in there - hopefully I can get those PITAs to spread like wild fire.

Wish me luck!

 

[briankmarsh1980]

Im not sure of this is true or not....
but if you cut them or snip pieces of them off they will grow new nems thus multiplying faster

 

[lucidvtec]

I heard if u look at them wrong they will spread crazy ;P

 

[mndfreeze]

Aiptasia are pretty easy to grow if you set up the system similar to how you run your reef. Though they can handle much dirtier water.

Berghia are awesome! When my new tank is up if I happen to have another aiptasia problem thats the first thing I go buy. Everything else is just a band aid.

 

[Anthrax15]

Grow them and take care of them like coral. I tried doing the same thing but never noticed a huge increase in populations. When the tank is stable, they take off. Just keep good water, aggitate them so they release spores, and feed them only a little. Not huge pieces.

 

[Arizonah13]

Thanks everybody! I actually plan on taking fairly decent care of them lol I haven't attached the 20L to a sump or anything, but I have the tank bare bottom (might consider adding sand later, but definitely no rock), HOB filter, actinic/daylight bulbs, 10-ish % water changes weekly, feeding them freshly hatched brine, etc... they'll be spoiled little SOBs - until they get dropped into Berghia-ville

 

[Arizonah13]

Double post courtesy of RC's slow, slow system tonight.

 

[Arizonah13]

Im not sure of this is true or not....
but if you cut them or snip pieces of them off they will grow new nems thus multiplying faster

I've heard that too - I'll probably try it with at least 1-2 of my big guys.

I heard if u look at them wrong they will spread crazy ;P

Ain't that the truth? Unless you're TRYING to grow them of course. I hope I'm successful!

Aiptasia are pretty easy to grow if you set up the system similar to how you run your reef. Though they can handle much dirtier water.

Berghia are awesome! When my new tank is up if I happen to have another aiptasia problem thats the first thing I go buy. Everything else is just a band aid.

So true. I can't wait to get the aiptasia supply built up so I can start working with the far more exciting berghias.

Grow them and take care of them like coral. I tried doing the same thing but never noticed a huge increase in populations. When the tank is stable, they take off. Just keep good water, aggitate them so they release spores, and feed them only a little. Not huge pieces.

Will do & thanks

 

[larryp68]

Aiptasia are pretty easy to grow if you set up the system similar to how you run your reef. Though they can handle much dirtier water.

Berghia are awesome! When my new tank is up if I happen to have another aiptasia problem thats the first thing I go buy. Everything else is just a band aid.

Actually peppermint shrimp work great for removing aiptasia, in case you havent heard. But yes, any chemical or liquid remedy is just FAIL.

 

[Arizonah13]

Yes, but berghia always eat aiptasia - and aren't discriminatory on the aip. size either.

 

[bugs713]

FYI there is a book out on this:
"Breeding Berghia Nudibranches the Best Kept Secret "
by Dene Banger (2011) - Paperback - 140 pages - ISBN 1461065674

Good luck~

 

[Arizonah13]

FYI there is a book out on this:
"Breeding Berghia Nudibranches the Best Kept Secret "
by Dene Banger (2011) - Paperback - 140 pages - ISBN 1461065674

Good luck~

Yep, I already have it. Thanks for the suggestion! (it was a good one!) :thumbsup:

 

[DgenR8]

2 things I can add here:
I had an absolute Aiptasia explosion when I started feeding my tank Cyclop Eeze.
Second is that since I have seen this thread, I have to tell you that breeding Berghia to sell here would be a TOS violation. If you have another outlet to get rid of them, that's great, I just didn't want you to depend on selling them here, as that could end poorly.

 

[Arizonah13]

Thanks for the advice x2

 

[larryp68]

Yes, but berghia always eat aiptasia - and aren't discriminatory on the aip. size either.

Very true...however once the aiptasia are gone they will starve. Whereas the peppermints can survive on other food sources...i used to drop food pellets in the tank after lights go out and they would go nuts eating them. Some of the Peppermints had eggs under their tails and they hatched one evening...very cool, little clear shrimps, they didn't survive but it was a neat experience.

Don't get me wrong the berghia are cool i just prefer the peppermints.

 

[DrBegalke]

Great idea, I don't have any aiptasia (right now!) but if I do, I'd trade for some.

 

[sltyncopa]

^Love your Helfrichi's!!!!

 

[jdurell]

Berghia Nudibranch

Berghia Nudibranch

Does anyone happen to still have any Berghia nudibranch they would like to sell or do you guys know anywhere I can get them here in Phoenix?

 

[lucidvtec]

I think RC had some

 

[jdurell]

All gone at RC

All gone at RC

Just called RC and they said they are trying to get some right now but don't have any.