Breeding Berghia

[Chrism1330]

Just placed an order for some Berghia from Reeftown and I’m officially attempting to breed nudis.

Got inspired after seeing @SupraSaltyReefer post about it — had to see if I could pull it off myself. Big shoutout to him too, he’s been giving me pointers on how to successfully get this done the right way.

Chopped it up with my boy @memorej at work and we’re making this a collab. He’s supplying the aiptasia farm, and I’ll be keeping the nudis fed and growing.

Let’s see how this goes
Documenting the process from start to hatch.

Equipment:
3g tank
Heater
Air stone pump

 

[spuri87]

Documentation helps future generations! All the best

 

[Chrism1330]

I started digging through R2R threads and different breeder experiences. One user mentioned running carbon as a substrate in their setup, so I initially decided to try that route.

After setting it up, I talked with Tu and he strongly recommended running the tank bare bottom instead. His reasoning made sense — easier cleaning, less detritus buildup, and better long-term control for breeding conditions.

I had already added carbon, but once I removed it, the water still had carbon dust suspended in it and looked dark/black. I wasn’t comfortable risking it, especially with something this sensitive.

Decision made:
• Drained the system
• Replaced with fresh NSW
• Switched to bare bottom

 

[Chrism1330]

The Berghia officially landed from Reeftown yesterday afternoon while I was at work. First thing I did when i got home was inspect:

• Movement and response
• Body color (healthy white/cream tone)
• No visible damage

They’re tiny, but active — good sign. I ordered x3 of the small size they are about as equivalent to the size of an ant.

Since Berghia are sensitive to parameter swings, I kept things slow and controlled.

• Temperature acclimation first
• Slow drip acclimation

After acclimating, I added them into the tank — at that point there was no aiptasia in the system yet.

 

[Chrism1330]

Later that evening, I picked up some aiptasia from @memorej on a plate with zoas attached and placed that into the tank.

Within a short time, I watched one of the nudis crawl onto the plate and start exploring the area. Good sign that they’re actively searching and responding.


Aiptasia Propagation Research:

Since Berghia only eat aiptasia, food supply is everything. I looked into different ways hobbyists propagate aiptasia:

• Placing small rocks with aiptasia into a separate grow tank
• Cutting or irritating aiptasia to encourage pedal laceration (they clone themselves from tissue left behind)
• Heavy feeding to increase growth and reproduction

 

[boun11]

when I do my tank switch I will have some aiptasia for you

 

[Chrism1330]

when I do my tank switch I will have some aiptasia for you

Thanks Boun

 

[PjFish]

@JVU was breeding them for a while! Plus bristle worms

 

[Chrism1330]

@JVU was breeding them for a while! Plus bristle worms

Bristle worms sounds interesting

 

[L/B Block]

Later that evening, I picked up some aiptasia from @memorej on a plate with zoas attached and placed that into the tank.

Within a short time, I watched one of the nudis crawl onto the plate and start exploring the area. Good sign that they’re actively searching and responding.



Aiptasia Propagation Research:

Since Berghia only eat aiptasia, food supply is everything. I looked into different ways hobbyists propagate aiptasia:

• Placing small rocks with aiptasia into a separate grow tank
• Cutting or irritating aiptasia to encourage pedal laceration (they clone themselves from tissue left behind)
• Heavy feeding to increase growth and reproduction

I was reading that they love ammonia - 1-2 ppm with powdered coral food and they will grow like crazy..

Wondering if growing an aiptasia tank for the sake of it would be fun.

Remembering hearing on the reef beef podcast that at Pratt institute they give aiptasia as pets

 

[Chrism1330]

I was reading that they love ammonia - 1-2 ppm with powdered coral food and they will grow like crazy..

Wondering if growing an aiptasia tank for the sake of it would be fun.

Remembering hearing on the reef beef podcast that at Pratt institute they give aiptasia as pets

Yea read that reef roids works great

 

[SupraSaltyReefer]

Off to a great start! Best advice I can give to others reading this thread is grow as much aiptasia as possible. Believe it or not, growing aiptasia on purpose is definitely a challenge. Maybe we need a “Grow Aiptasia contest” lol

The actual breeding of Berghia is doing nothing except have patience. They will lay eggs no matter what. Keeping them fed and having a food source is the tough part.