Berghia Nudibranch

Berghia is a 2–3 cm semi-transparent nudibranch armed with finger-like projections (cerata) covering its back. It eats only Aiptasia (Exaiptasia) anemones; it does not touch corals, other anemones including Majano anemones, or other animals. For this reason it is considered the safest and most targeted method of fighting Aiptasia. Once it has solved the problem it is left without food; it is best to pass them on to another aquarium with an Aiptasia problem before they starve to death. Most of those in the trade are captive-bred, and for many years they were sold under the name Berghia verrucicornis.

• It can be used in reef aquariums of every size; depending on the amount of Aiptasia, 5–10 individuals per 100 liters are usually recommended.
• Salinity 1.023–1.026 specific gravity, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 22–27°C.
• Reef-safe. Pump intakes should be protected with sponges.
• It should be acclimated very slowly by the drip method; copper-based medications are lethal.

It eats only Aiptasia; it does not accept any other food. If there are not enough Aiptasia in the aquarium, it starves to death within a few weeks.

Nocturnal; during the day it hides among the rocks, so it is usually not seen and its effect is noticed from the decline of the Aiptasia. It is a hermaphrodite; under suitable conditions it reproduces by laying white, spiral egg masses.

Good companions: clownfish, gobies, cardinalfish, blennies; snails, cleaner shrimp.

Avoid: wrasses (especially the six line wrasse), butterflyfish, hawkfish, peppermint shrimp; use at the same time as chemical products such as Aiptasia removers.