Berghia Nudibranch Central

The Berghia nudibranchs or Berghia, consists of several similar looking members of the nudibranch family of sea slugs. Although called sea slugs, they hardly resemble the slimy counterparts on land. Sea slugs are often vibrantly colourful and move with a smooth, floating grace. Berghia are no exception. The most common species is called Berghia verrucicornis.

Berghia verrucicornis and its closely related species have sausage-shaped bodies that sprout two long antenna-like tentacles at the head. These tentacles can be used not only for touch but for taste and smell. Their bodies are covered with numerous frond-like projections called cnidosacs that gently fan the water. Originally native to the Caribbean, it can now be found in aquariums throughout the world. They are often a pearly white, but change color after they eat. Just what color they change into depends on what they eat.

Berghia verrucicornis is becoming more popular in many sizes of marine or reef aquariums, from half-gallon Nano cubes to huge commercial exhibits. Not only are Berhia nudibranchs fascinating to watch, but they work hard for their living. They are one of the most effective natural aiptasia eaters available to the home aquarist. One species called Aeolidiella stephanieae (but commonly called Berghia) eats only aiptasia anemones. This appetite makes them ideal for getting rid of aiptasia.

What Is Aiptasia?

Healthy marine aquarium water contains a variety of beneficial phytoplankton and zooplankton. Many times these microscopic organisms are beneficial, but sometimes a few can reproduce so quickly that they can overpower a fish tank. Aiptasia is the common name for many species of anemone referred to as “weed organisms” by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA.) Sometimes they are also called tube, rock or glass anemones.But whatever you call them, aiptasia anemones are a major nuisance for any marine aquarium, no matter how large it is. Rarely growing more than three inches long, they can quickly blanket a tank and such up all of the nutrients that fish, corals or other marine inhabitants need in order to survive. AZA states that aiptasia grows so well in home aquariums because the light is more intense than in the ocean and it does not need to reproduce sexually.

Glass anemones are usually brown and are built like a fully mature dandelion flower, only instead of fuzzy seeds, the creature has tentacles that appear somewhat like they are made out of stained glass. These tentacles sting and can kill fish, with the notable exception of butterfly fishes. These anemones can survive singly or in large colonies. It is still unknown just how long their lifespan is, but dozens more can pop up overnight. Never pinch or manually remove these anemones as aiptasia removal because this releases even more microscopic eggs or larvae into the water.

The Berghia Nudibranch Advantage

There are other creatures available to commercial and private aquariums that are aiptasia eaters but they are not as small, mobile or economical as Berghia nudibranchs. Butterfly fish are far too large and difficult to maintain for the average reef tank keeper. Peppermint shrimp are a smaller option, but they cannot get into the cracks and crevices that a soft-bodied sea slug can get into.If even a microscopic particle of an aiptasia remains, the entire anemone can regenerate. Neither butterfly fish nor peppermint shrimp can entirely eat a glass anemone. But Berghia can, making them the creature of choice for aiptasia control.

Berghia reproduce very quickly. AZA notes that well-fed Berghia regularly lay one or two eggs per day. That egg only needs about 10 days for the embryo inside to hatch and begin feeding on aptasia. Berghia are hermaphrodites, so there is no need to try and find male or females in order for them to reproduce. Any two Berghia or even one pregnant Berghia nudibranch can start a perpetual aiptasia removal system.

Adapting Berghia Nudibranches to a New Aquarium

Berghia can be purchased at a reef aquarium shop, from a reef aquarium show or from online sources. But these creatures cannot just be plopped into a tank. Berghia should never be placed in a brand new tank. The tank needs to have been cycled and contain enough zooplankton and phytoplankton to help keep the water chemistry stable. If this is the case, then you can think about adding Berghia to your tank.

There are two ways of acclimating Berghia to your tank. This could be the bag floatation method or by placing the Berghia in a refugium. If you choose to place the Berghia in a refugium, you are still going to need to float the shipping bag on the tank water. Berghia are nocturnal so turn off all of the tank lights, no matter which method you use. Do not be surprised if the Berghia are floating on the salt water in their shipping bag because they are very lightweight.

Open the bag to check the temperature of the water inside and see that matches the water temperature in the aquarium. This can take at least several minutes. When the temperatures equalize, take a tiny bit of the tank or refugium’s water and place into the bag. Over the course of the next two or three hours, introduce three more tiny bits of tank or refugium water. This helps the Berghia gradually adjust to its new home. Failing to take your time can result in the Berghia dying from shock.

Before you place the Berghia into the tank or refugium, turn off any filter power heads to the little creature will not get sucked into the filter. Use a spoon or a sterile pipette in order to transfer your new wet pet. Never handle Berghia because this could injure them to the point where they die.

Berghia Nudibranch Biology

It is unknown just how long Berghia live, but initial estimates of six months seem too low. Professional and hobbyist aquarium keepers report Berghia nudibranch living for more than a year. In that time, they can reproduce in the hundreds, although their population is naturally controlled by how much food is available. So, in getting rid of aiptasia with Berghia, one does not have to worry about getting rid of Berghia.

Berghia are placid creatures and should never be placed in tanks with peppermint or camel shrimp. However, they get along fine with cleaner shrimp. Berghia can also be eaten by carnivorous fish and injured by the tentacles of comb jellyfish. If you already have these creatures, then your Berghia needs to be kept safe in a refugium. The Berghia will still act as natural aiptasia control because slowly water from the main tank will go through the refugium. Berghia generally co-exist with cleaner shrimp, small ornamental shrimp species, small salt water crabs and micro or small starfish.