I saw 3 aptasia anemones (AAs) in my DT so I ordered some peppermint shrimp (PS) without doing my research because I "œknew" that PS are reef safe. While they were being shipped, I stumbled across a thread on RC reporting that PS attacked various posters' corals. Aaacck. So when the PS arrived, I put them in the fuge, and in the meantime ordered some Berghia Nudibranchs (BNs) from Salty Underground (SU). I ordered 6 of the ¼" BNs (for $60) plus a 1.5" jumbo size (for $17). I also ordered a "œmystery coral for $8 "“ it turned out to be a colony of 36+ orange zoas.) With shipping, the total order came to $116. Yeesh.
When the NS arrived, I followed the acclimation instructions (float, drip for 1-2 hours (I did 2), & transfer to DT using wide mouthed pipette SU provides). I then turned off the pumps for 10+ minutes as instructed, kept the DT dark for an hour, and (gradually) started the pumps back up. I placed the large BN and 2 of the small ones in a crevice right next to the big AA. I put 2 of the small BNs next to the small AA above the large one; and the remaining 2 next to the third (2") AA about 6" above the other 2.
24 hours later the largest AA was withering. I could see one of the BNs attached to its side. 48 hours later, the largest AA and the small one above it were gone. That left the 2" AA on about 6" above where the other AAs had been. 72 hours later, it was still defiantly waving in the current. 4 days after adding the BNs, the final AA was gonzo.
Going forward, when (not if) I have another AA bloom, I will wait until there are more AAs in DT to get my $ worth and prolong the life of the poor forlorn BNs who are now left without AAs to munch on. Or maybe, I'll cultivate AAs in a separate tank and let the BNs run free, which I assume is what SU does. Imagine cultivating AAs! Maybe if you find a way to grow them when you want to, you can find a way to not grow them when you want.:fish2:
When the NS arrived, I followed the acclimation instructions (float, drip for 1-2 hours (I did 2), & transfer to DT using wide mouthed pipette SU provides). I then turned off the pumps for 10+ minutes as instructed, kept the DT dark for an hour, and (gradually) started the pumps back up. I placed the large BN and 2 of the small ones in a crevice right next to the big AA. I put 2 of the small BNs next to the small AA above the large one; and the remaining 2 next to the third (2") AA about 6" above the other 2.
24 hours later the largest AA was withering. I could see one of the BNs attached to its side. 48 hours later, the largest AA and the small one above it were gone. That left the 2" AA on about 6" above where the other AAs had been. 72 hours later, it was still defiantly waving in the current. 4 days after adding the BNs, the final AA was gonzo.
Going forward, when (not if) I have another AA bloom, I will wait until there are more AAs in DT to get my $ worth and prolong the life of the poor forlorn BNs who are now left without AAs to munch on. Or maybe, I'll cultivate AAs in a separate tank and let the BNs run free, which I assume is what SU does. Imagine cultivating AAs! Maybe if you find a way to grow them when you want to, you can find a way to not grow them when you want.:fish2:
