Aeolidiella stephanieae - Berghia Nudibranch

Berghia stephanieae is a small shell-less marine gastropod used for the biological control of Aiptasia. Its highly specialised diet allows it to locate and consume pest anemones inside rock crevices and other areas that are difficult to treat manually.

Berghia does not provide instant results. It hunts mainly at night, often remains hidden during the day, and may require several weeks to produce a visible reduction in the Aiptasia population.

Key features

• Natural biological control for Aiptasia
• Current scientific name: Berghia stephanieae
• Former name: Aeolidiella stephanieae
• Specialised Aiptasia predator
• Reef safe with compatible livestock
• Does not consume ordinary reef corals
• Primarily nocturnal
• Hunts within reef-rock crevices
• Can reproduce in the aquarium
• Hermaphroditic species
• Adult size generally up to approximately 20 mm
• Suitable for marine and reef aquariums
• Does not consume Majano anemones
• Entirely dependent on Aiptasia for food
• Sensitive to rapid salinity and temperature changes
• Must be protected from pump intakes
• May be eaten by predatory fish, shrimp, or crabs

Suggested water conditions

• Temperature: approximately 22–26 °C
• Specific gravity: approximately 1.023–1.026
• pH: approximately 8.1–8.4
• Ammonia: 0 mg/l
• Nitrite: 0 mg/l

Stable conditions are more important than pursuing one exact numerical value.

Introduction

1. Confirm that the pest anemones are Aiptasia rather than Majano.
2. Check all fish, shrimp, and crabs for compatibility.
3. Protect pump and filter intakes.
4. Turn off the aquarium lights.
5. Equalise the transport-water temperature.
6. Acclimate the animals slowly to salinity and water chemistry.
7. Do not expose the nudibranchs to air or squeeze them with forceps.
8. Transfer them underwater with a pipette or small container.
9. Release them onto sheltered rock close to Aiptasia.
10. Temporarily reduce strong flow until they attach.
11. Avoid simultaneous chemical Aiptasia treatments.
12. Monitor the aquarium over several weeks.

Important feeding information

Berghia feeds on Aiptasia and cannot be maintained on ordinary fish food, algae, coral food, or frozen food. Once the Aiptasia have been eliminated, the nudibranchs should be transferred to another aquarium with an established Aiptasia population.