How to farm Aiptasia and breed Berghia Nudibranchs, Anyone?

[SupraSaltyReefer]

Much thanks @dandemeyere for the 15 Berghia yesterday.

After putting more thought into this I was thinking a "How to farm Aiptasia and breed Berghia Nudibranchs" would be a good virtual workshop. We all at some point have aiptasia in our tanks. If not dealt with they spread like wildfire. Berghia are so expensive at $15 - $35+ each so maybe if we have a few people within BAR breed Berghia and sell to supporting members at discounted prices it would benefit the club and be a good local source and even good side hustle.

Is anyone else interested in learning how to do this? Anyone currently breeding Berghia now? Maybe @JVU or @RandyC can provide us some insight and techniques on their previous set up since they used to breed Berghia and was really successful at it.

If you are interested:
Step 1: Start farming and collecting aiptasia! You will need hundreds to feed your Berghia. Not having enough aiptasia is the number 1 reason for failure.
Step 2: Once you have enough Berghia I can give you 2 Berghia to start, if they are still alive lol

	BREEDING BERGHIA NUDIBRANCHS EQUIPMENT LIST
	Items	QTY	Est. COST $	Comments
1	10 Gallon Aquariums	2	$25.00	You can also use 2 ice chest coolers to help maintain the temperature.
2	50w Heaters	2	$30.00
3	Dual line air pump	1	$20.00
4	Small sponger filter with tubing	2	$15.00
5	Thermometers	2	$20.00
6	LED Light (optional)	2	$0.00
	TOTAL INITIAL SETUP COST		$110.00	Prices will vary. Estimate based off Amazon.

Sources to help:
Breeding Berghia Nudibranchs - The Best Kept Secret by Dene Banger

Amazon.com

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Easy Berghia Nudibranch Propagation by Justin Credebel, Nov. 15, 2008

Easy Berghia Nudibranch Propagation

Applied Sustainable Aquaculture Inc., The Science and Technology Magnet High School of Southeastern Connecticut. Justin discusses his methods for propagating this interesting nudibrach.

reefs.com

 

[Kensington Reefer]

The key is a sterile environment
No pods, no micro fauna in the system

 

[H2OPlayar]

The key is a sterile environment
No pods, no micro fauna in the system

Is that because the pods compete with the aiptasia for food? And do you care about anything being "cycled" or is the ammonia created so low it is negligible?

 

[SupraSaltyReefer]

Is that because the pods compete with the aiptasia for food? And do you care about anything being "cycled" or is the ammonia created so low it is negligible?

Supposedly Amphipods will eat the Berghia eggs and babies.

 

[Kensington Reefer]

What he said...
Yummy protein packets!

 

[tribbitt]

Interested

This would be very cool to me on many different levels, would love to learn about this other aspect of ocean life

 

[psidriven]

thnk jvu tried to use vertical spikes/poles to increase surface area for aptasia to grow on.

 

[tribbitt]

Oh - if anyone is willing to donate the most virulent aiptasia they have, I kind of need a starter culture. I was so diligent killing aiptasia in my 20g that I have no more

 

[Invictus]

There was some talk of an Aiptasia grow out contest, which would coincide nicely here if the Berghia can be kept alive that long.

 

[Kensington Reefer]

There was some talk of an Aiptasia grow out contest, which would coincide nicely here if the Berghia can be kept alive that long.

I already won
The prize is a 300 gallon redo!
Others have seen it

 

[Invictus]

I already won
The prize is a 300 gallon redo!
Others have seen it

What I’m hearing is that you’re donating your abundance of Aiptasia children as the basis for the grow out contest. Much appreciated.

 

[Kensington Reefer]

A fine crop they were
Very well fed

 

[Srt4eric]

Ive seen at several lfs so pretty decent stock of aptaisa in the fish systems. I'll ask for a donation of aptasia and I'll see what I can do with a 10 gallon setup

 

[SupraSaltyReefer]

Oh - if anyone is willing to donate the most virulent aiptasia they have, I kind of need a starter culture. I was so diligent killing aiptasia in my 20g that I have no more

I have some I can share. You can pick up in Pittsburg during the week or Milpitas on weekends.

What I’m hearing is that you’re donating your abundance of Aiptasia children as the basis for the grow out contest. Much appreciated.

A fine crop they were
Very well fed

I took most of Erin's aiptasia. There were definitely some monster size aiptasia in there. I can share some if members are wanting to participate in this experiment.

 

[MichaelB]

The end results from this bar venture. LFS

Do to overwhelming requests we are now selling these nems for:

small $3 medium $5 large $8 xl 10-12.
Maybe even a promo of 5 for $25.

 

[finalphaze987]

First its dosing NO3 & PO4....now we're selling aiptasia..now I know I've been out of it way too long...

 

[SupraSaltyReefer]

The end results from this bar venture. LFS

Do to overwhelming requests we are now selling these nems for:

small $3 medium $5 large $8 xl 10-12.
Maybe even a promo of 5 for $25.

First its dosing NO3 & PO4....now we're selling aiptasia..now I know I've been out of it way too long...

You guys need to think more outside the box lol.
It’s already being done by some LFS and even online and eBay.

A LFS didn’t want to sell me their rocks in their sump that was covered with Aiptasia so instead I had to buy some of their chaeto that had aiptasia mixed in. It’s understandable since operating a LFS is expensive so I didn’t mind.

Aiptasia Pallida tagetes Anemone

addictivereefkeeping.com

 

[finalphaze987]

You guys need to think more outside the box lol.
It’s already being done by some LFS and even online and eBay.

A LFS didn’t want to sell me their rocks in their sump that was covered with Aiptasia so instead I had to buy some of their chaeto that had aiptasia mixed in. It’s understandable since operating a LFS is expensive so I didn’t mind.

Aiptasia Pallida tagetes Anemone

addictivereefkeeping.com

I feel it...its just a trip to see the evolution of the hobby..I hope this takes off, cuz I know once I see one an aiptasia pop up in my tank I know I'm going to lose my $#!7 and jump on this quick lol

 

[PjFish]

So I guess a few wrasses to keep the pods down? But wait they will probably eat the baby nudi so what fish are okay with the nudists?

 

[SupraSaltyReefer]

So I guess a few wrasses to keep the pods down? But wait they will probably eat the baby nudi so what fish are okay with the nudists?

Ideally your aiptasia and berghia tanks should be dedicated tanks. No fish, inverts, corals, rocks etc.