Has anyone seen THIS before (Aiptasia eating seaslug)?

[Anonymous]

I just found this link perusing some old FAQ's, and thought I would pass it along. It's not as good as a reefsafe ich cure, but what the heck, yeah?

http://www.seaslugs.com/.

 

[MadamePoisson]

Hey SeaMaiden! Neat link! I have had some aiptasia ever since I set up my tank 13 months ago...hitchhikers on the LR! I have 2 peppermint shrimp who must be helping, but haven't wiped them out completely. Not tons. A few here and there. I pick them out carefully with long tweezers. Do you think one of these slugs would do the trick? What happens when the problem is gone? Does the slug die? What's the reef safe ich treatment you wrote about?

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry, Madame, that was a joke, there is no reefsafe ich treatment.

I haven't had a chance to read through the site, I can only assume that if this slug is an obligate feeder that it would meet its demise upon final consumption of Aiptaisia. I'd suggest just reading through the site, and if possible, contacting them.

 

[Mouse]

Bergha Nudies have been arround for ages Sea Maiden, ISPF was seling them ages ago. Catch up :lol:

 

[Mouse]

Those of us who were concerned with the eventual sustainability of these Bhurga's suggested that with the use of a refugeium you could rotate rocks arround so that they allways had enough to feed on. Personally i think its a bit of a chore considering if they were to be used as suggested, that the eventual demise of the slug would have to coincide with the complete exhaustion of its food supply to ensure that A) the slug had enough to eat throughout its life, and B) the aptasia were completely exterminated from the system.

 

[Anonymous]

I have been waiting for a long time to hear some positive reviews of these guys (or negative ones for that matter). Remember someone posting here a while ago about how small they were, and that they seemed to disappear after introduction to the tank.

Is there anyone out there who has successfully used these to control aiptasia in their reef? Let's hear some reports and suggestions on how best to get them established.

 

[danmhippo]

SM, Anemone in Valencia bred these slugs at one time. He has to culture and collect aiptasia to feed his slugs. It's either it's too much work, or the slugs ran out of food, they die back.

These slugs will quickly became snacks in typical reef tank. It's great if your tank has no aggresive fish, crab, or shrimp.

 

[Anonymous]

I used them in a reef a few years back; they seemed to disappear but then I noticed aiptasia starting to vanish one by one. Eventually they were all gone. One time only I saw a Berghia in the tank and it had grown quite a bit from the 1/2 inch size they were when I got them. I believe the attack the aiptasia from the bottom, which is why you rarely see them.

 

[64Ivy]

I tried 'em a few years back too. And they did indeed disappear. The End. :evil:

 

[ChrisRD]

Inland Aquatics has some info on these here:

http://www.inlandaquatics.com/info/faq_aiptasia.html

 

[texman]

I am having a BIG aptasia problem right now and have spent a ton of money on Berghia with absolutely no success. I have tried three times, the most recent time, buying 30 adult specimens. That was 3 months ago. I have yet to see one aptasia "disappear" overnight and have never seen a Berghia once it went into the tank. From what I have read, they do OK in a small system with very little current and lots of aptasia. I don't know too many people who are trying to care for stony corals who have this type of setup. In my opinion, berghia are a waste of money.

 

[squeezix]

It's well known that Berghia Verricornus eats Aiptasia, and well know that C. varians eats flatworms. After dealing with a C. Varians last week, I wonder what else we don't know about their habitat. Slug died fast, and it had plenty of food and was eating it.

So, we're not talking about a "Kick Ich" Cure all, this is marketing for reefers. The worst thing you do is call attention to the site. Now many people will look at it and see what the slug does in another book, and order more. IPSF has a corny website, and they have given me some great animals.

Plain and simple, only a select few of us have pHd's in marine bio. The natural way seems like the best way, but is never guaranteed. In a thriving tank I've lost 3 animals this year, and one was a slug. He should have stayed home. I'm leaning toward aquaculture heavier than ever now.

 

[Anonymous]

squeezix, I'm really confused by this...

So, we're not talking about a "Kick Ich" Cure all, this is marketing for reefers. The worst thing you do is call attention to the site. Now many people will look at it and see what the slug does in another book, and order more. IPSF has a corny website, and they have given me some great animals.

I just don't know what to make of what you're saying here. <sm is scratching her head, wondering..>

texman, thanks for your input. I asked about this because my most recent experience has only been at the aquarium, and there's only one tank where I've even seen Aiptasia evident.

Marked for archiving.

 

[Mouse]

texman, thanks for your input. I asked about this because my most recent experience has only been at the aquarium, and there's only one tank where I've even seen Aiptasia evident.

He he he, looks like your just too good at this blue fingered thing Sea Maiden. Never had aptasia, im sure the anemonie god will send his minions some time. :twisted:

 

[Anonymous]

Wow, 30 adult specimens- that would be a lot of cash! Mine was a 65 with medium amounts of flow and not much in the way of big predators. I didn't have a ton of aiptasia, but enough to go looking for berghia. I agree, sounds like they don't work out well in a big sps tank.