Berghia verrucicornis versus Aiptasia

September 23, 1999
From: Dave Behrens

Dear Bill,

As the war against aquarium-devastating Aiptasia increases, I have noticed the increasing traffic to your site and Michael Miller's, requesting sources for Berghia verrucicornis as a last ditch biological control strategy against the notorious glass anemone. I receive weekly requests for information myself.

With the persistence of a frustrated aquarist, I have learned of and confirmed a source of living Berghia.  While I agree with your many responses that using an aeolid as a biological weapon may not provide the desired results in the war against Aiptasia, I offer up the following.
Inland Aquatics, located in Terra Haute, Indiana, USA (US telephone number
812-232-9000)
Web site: http://www.inlandaquatics.com
Email: inlandaquatics@aol.com,
sells cultured Berghia for $24.99US each.  I spoke with them this morning and they confirmed that they maintain a cultured (Indo- Pacific) stock of Berghia, fed on Aiptasia, ready for the aquarist in need.

I offer this information as an option, with no guarantees.

David W. Behrens
Sea Challengers Natural History Books
http://www.seachallengers.com

dave@seachallengers.com

Behrens, D., 1999 (Sep 23) Berghia verrucicornis versus Aiptasia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1365

Dear Dave,
Thanks very much. Your message will gladden the hearts of many aquariists.

Could I add a note of caution to all aquarium keepers. If you obtain any aquarium animals which are not normally found where you live please do not 'let them go' into the local environment if you lose interest in your aquarium. You may think you are doing the correct or humane thing by letting them live, but you could be introducing a major pest to your local environment.

In Australia many inland waterways are now infested with exotic snails and fish, which have 'escaped' from aquaria. In the marine environment, we are not sure where the introductions are from, (probably ship's ballast water), but many exotic pests, both animal and plant are devastating and changing for ever, local ecosytems. I suspect that Berghia verrucicornis and the anemone Aiptasia could both become pests if released into the wild. So please, if you have 'exotic' organisms in your aquarium, be careful, and treat them, and the water in your aquarium, as poison to the local environment.

Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 1999 (Sep 23). Comment on Berghia verrucicornis versus Aiptasia by Dave Behrens. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1365

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