Looking for input on culturing berghia

[jlinzmaier]

In a few months I plan to start a culture of berghia. I've read this article by Anthony Calfo http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-01/ac/feature/index.php as well as many other tid bits of information here and there. I'm just wondering if anyone can share any experience they've had with culturing berghia or if anyone has any suggestions for practices to stay away from as well as any other little helpful hints.

Thanks.

Jeremy

 

[jlinzmaier]

Anyone???

Jeremy

 

[romanr]

I'm getting 8 breeders (1+in) so I'm planning to do some culturing myself. Some to use on my tank, some to breed and sell.

From Inland Aquatics website.
HOLDING BERGHIA IN JARS

A little preparation will greatly increase your chances of successfully rearing some nudi hatchlings. Aiptasia reproduce most prolifically when left in the dark, especially in regard to the tiny anemones required for young post larvae.

A WEEK OR TWO BEFORE YOU INTEND TO RECEIVE YOUR ORDER, Collect a dozen or more large Aiptasia and place them in two Mason jars with water from your system. Be careful not to add much anemone slime as this may cause water quality problems. Plastic pipettes are great for collecting Aiptasia!

Mark the water line on the side of each jar with a Sharpie.

Cover the jars with a very loose lid.

Place the jars in a cabinet or some other very dark place with a relatively stable temperature.

Top the cultures off with fresh water each week to keep the level at the fill line.

Upon arrival, place the new Berghia in one of the jars. The other is to be used as a reservoir for feeder Aiptasia

 

[jlinzmaier]

Thank you!! That's similar to what I've found in the research I've done. I actually started a 10 gal aptasia culture tank to keep a large amount of aptasia on hand at all times. I filled the aptasia tank with frag rack to allow for a large surface area for the aptasia to spread out onto. This will also allow me to break apart small peices of the frag rack to easily add the attached aptasia to the berghia containers.

Jeremy

 

[romanr]

great idea!

 

[jlinzmaier]

You'll have to keep me posted on how the glass jars work out for you. I plan to create something like Calfo outlined but the glass jars seem much more simple.

Jeremy

 

[jlinzmaier]

I'm getting 8 breeders (1+in) so I'm planning to do some culturing myself. Some to use on my tank, some to breed and sell.

From Inland Aquatics website.
HOLDING BERGHIA IN JARS

A little preparation will greatly increase your chances of successfully rearing some nudi hatchlings. Aiptasia reproduce most prolifically when left in the dark, especially in regard to the tiny anemones required for young post larvae.

A WEEK OR TWO BEFORE YOU INTEND TO RECEIVE YOUR ORDER, Collect a dozen or more large Aiptasia and place them in two Mason jars with water from your system. Be careful not to add much anemone slime as this may cause water quality problems. Plastic pipettes are great for collecting Aiptasia!

Mark the water line on the side of each jar with a Sharpie.

Cover the jars with a very loose lid.

Place the jars in a cabinet or some other very dark place with a relatively stable temperature.

Top the cultures off with fresh water each week to keep the level at the fill line.

Upon arrival, place the new Berghia in one of the jars. The other is to be used as a reservoir for feeder Aiptasia

Have you tried the aptasia proliferation in the jar?? A few days after I set up my simple 10 gal I put 6 nice aptasia in a tupperware container about 1/4 gal in size. That was just about 2 weeks ago and I still only have 6 aptasia in the container. In my 10 gal tank they are multiplying like crazy and I see more and more each day. I even tried feeding the aptasia in the tupperware container then did a water change the next day and still no proliferation.

Jeremy

 

[cowboycorals]

OK, here's what I know... Been at it for over a year now and have it down pretty good. First, Berghia are much hardier than reported. I breed mine in plastic chinet brand glasses that hold 14 ounces. I tried some dollar store disposable Tupperware type dishes and had a few "melt downs". I suspected some chemical leaching. Be sure and check your cups daily for eggs and remove them promptly. Also check often for dead nudibranches and remove them quickly. I use a syringe with a long 15 gauge needle for removing poop and debris. Cut the sharp tip off the needle! I use Styrofoam plates cut down to size as covers for my cups...just loose fit with some vent holes. I only keep 6-8 adults per cup. I have a cup now with 150+ very small babies(1/16" or so). I use a piece of Styrofoam box lid that fits inside a 20 long aquarium. This has holes cut in it to accept the cups. I keep these aquariums at the same temp as my reef tank. I use the aged reef tank water to do water changes every other day before I feed the Nudibranches. For the culture of aiptasia I use 10 gallon tanks with a sand bed and a power filter. I also use a powerhead with a Hydor Flo rotating head. I keep the food tanks 80-85 degrees. They grow best at these temps. I also keep a little chaeto in each food tank. I feed the aiptasia zooplankton, phytoplankton, and cyclopeez. every three days. Each food tank is lit with anything bright and of appropriate spectrum.

 

[jlinzmaier]

Thanks for the reply.

This is my progress with the project so far.

http://www.foxvalleyreefclub.com/forums/showthread.php?391-My-experience-culturing-berghia-(aptasia-eating-nudibranchs-)

Jeremy