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Berghia nudibranchs are the gold-standard biological control for Aiptasia pest anemones - they eat nothing else. A small group introduced to an Aiptasia-infested tank typically eradicates the pest within 4-8 weeks. Once their food source is gone, Berghia starve - they cannot be transferred to general reef maintenance. Sold in pairs or small groups specifically for Aiptasia control.
Native range: Caribbean reefs. Most US trade specimens come through marine wholesale suppliers in Indonesia, the Philippines, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. Wild collection remains the primary sourcing method for the majority of marine inverts - few are captive-bred at commercial scale. Quality of acclimation at the wholesale/retail stage is the biggest single predictor of long-term survival in home aquaria.
Tank size: 10 gallons (or use in larger display). Parameters: temperature 74-82°F, salinity 1.024-1.026, plus the standard reef tank requirements - stable calcium 420-440 ppm, alkalinity 8-10 dKH, magnesium 1300-1400 ppm, nitrate under 25 ppm, phosphate under 0.05 ppm. The species requires conditions consistent with a healthy reef tank rather than nutrient-stripped sterile water - well-established systems with diverse microfauna and biofilm typically support these inverts better than newly-cycled tanks.
Lighting: depends on species. Photosynthetic inverts (clams, anemone-symbiotic species) require high-PAR reef LED lighting. Filter-feeders (worms, scallops) prefer moderate lighting and benefit from particulate-rich water. Flow: moderate, indirect flow works for most inverts - direct high-velocity flow stresses or damages soft-bodied species.
Acclimation: drip acclimate over 2-4 hours for hardy species, 4-8 hours for sensitive species (Linckia stars, sea hares, demanding nudibranchs). Never expose inverts to air during transfer - capture in a bowl underwater and transfer wet.
Berghia Nudibranch diet: Aiptasia anemones (obligate predator). Feeding strategy depends on dietary type. Algae eaters require established tanks with biofilm and microalgae growth - new tanks lack the algal base they need. Carnivore inverts (starfish, some snails) need targeted meaty feedings 2-3x weekly. Filter feeders (clams, worms, scallops) need phytoplankton in the water column. Photosynthetic species need adequate lighting plus supplemental amino acid or coral food dosing.
Safe: Reef-safe fish that ignore tiny inverts at night.
Avoid: Wrasses (six-line, melanurus etc), large butterflyfish, large angels - all eat Berghia.
Captive-bred standard - reproduces readily when fed Aiptasia. Egg masses laid on rock.
Starvation after Aiptasia eradication; fish predation; introduction failure if tank lacks Aiptasia.
Light infestation: 4-6 Berghia. Moderate: 8-12. Heavy: 15+. Larger tanks may need more.
No - obligate Aiptasia specialists. They will not eat Majano or other pest anemones, only Aiptasia.
Berghia starve within 2-4 weeks without Aiptasia. Plan to remove and donate to another infested tank, or accept the loss.
$10-15 per nudibranch typically. Often sold as pairs ($20-30) or groups of 5-10 ($50-100).
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