More information: fighting Aiptasia

May 6, 2002
From: Vincent Prasil

Dear Bill,
Thanks for all your comments. I have had a look at the other links, plus searched on the net about all the ways we should apply to fight Aiptasia. I know it's not a Forum about anemones here and we all know here that biological control is a frightening concept, with a history of many disasters. I will explain why we are thinking about importing Berghia verrucicornis, or whatever the sea slug is that eats Aiptasia..

The infection is occurring because:
Aiptasia (pallida, pulchella?) is naturally present in French Polynesia.
• It's population is normally controlled by some fishes, and some Hermit Crabs, and perhaps other crustaceans.
• Pearl oysters are in open water, where no fish nor predator can reach them (only big fishes, which should eat them, but that's another story).
• When they are near coral reef or little depth, they stay clean, because of the fish cleaning system.
• These artificial supports – ie pearl oyster – are millions and millions, without predation
• Cleaning practice is mechanical, using high pressure water, which leaves a perfect place for new colonisation (again and again).
• all cleaning waste is returned back in the lagoon, with eggs and all living fragments ! (we are fighting against this)

Your suggestion of attracting anemone-eating fish will be soon tested, using artificial structures as protection. Hoping they won't follow the line (!) to the lagoon ground, which is about 30 to 50 meters deep.

PS : Any further information or ideas are welcome !!

Thanks again
Vincent Prasil

vincent.prasil@perli.gov.pf

Prasil, V., 2002 (May 6) More information: fighting Aiptasia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6894

Dear Vincent,
I guessed from your message that Aiptasia was only a problem when the pearl oysters were away from the reef. I thought Aiptasia became a problem in aquaria because of its 'vegetative' reproductive strategy. Is this also the case 'in the wild' or do they also reproduce sexually and have a planktonic larval stage? If they only reproduce vegetatively it would seem that the 'seedling' oysters are infested with Aiptasia before they are put in the open sea. Which would suggest it might be an idea to find a way of cleaning them before they are put in open water.

I'm sure you have thought of all these possibilites. My feeling is that some how you should try and make use of the natural Tahitian predators. I hope you have success in making some artificial 'homes' for anemone-eating fish.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (May 6). Comment on More information: fighting Aiptasia by Vincent Prasil. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6894

Related messages

  1. Re: Where to get 'Berghia verrucicornis'
    From: Adam Goehner, July 1, 2008
  2. 'Berghia Breeder'
    From: Ben Caruso, February 6, 2008
  3. Re: Aeolidiella stephanieae - zooxanthella for orientation?
    From: Dene Banger, December 14, 2007
  4. Aeolidiella stephanieae - zooxanthella for orientation?
    From: Dene Banger, December 11, 2007
  5. Berghia verrucicornis?
    From: Marshall Doud, August 2, 2007
  6. 'Berghia verrucicornis' - Captive Life Span
    From: Lisa Brown, March 14, 2006
  7. Re: Berghia verrucicornis to give away
    From: Yvonne Rozsenich, September 5, 2005
  8. Anemone eating slugs
    From: Carl Fario, August 20, 2005
  9. What is the real Berghia verrucicornis?
    From: Jimmy, March 25, 2004
  10. Berghia in aquarium
    From: John Mauro, Jr., January 3, 2003
  11. Berghia verrucicornis - where do I get it?
    From: Patrizia Bacci, October 18, 2002
  12. Berghia verrucicornis - Where?
    From: Mafalda N. Madeira, October 10, 2002
  13. Berghia sp. in south Atlantic coast
    From: Gustavo Duarte, September 14, 2002
  14. Aquarium Berghia photos
    From: Leslea, June 19, 2002
  15. Berghia Help Please
    From: Leslea, May 28, 2002
  16. Re: More information: fighting Aiptasia
    From: Phil C., May 10, 2002
  17. Aiptasia control in open water conditions
    From: Vincent Prasil, May 3, 2002
  18. Berghia verrucicornis - aquarium culture
    From: Steve Kempf, March 9, 2002
  19. Aiptasia - help please
    From: John D. Bessette, February 15, 2002
  20. Re: Desperate search for Berghia
    From: Juan Lucas Cervera, January 23, 2002
  21. Desperate search for Berghia
    From: Thierry Reynier, January 21, 2002
  22. Where to get Berghia verrucicornis
    From: Tom Kozicki, January 21, 2002
  23. Are all Berghias equal?
    From: David Fisher, December 6, 2001
  24. Say it isn't so! Is Berghia dangerous?
    From: David Fisher, November 12, 2001
  25. Berghia from seaslug-vs-aiptasia.ebz.com
    From: Carlo Bortolotti, September 7, 2001
  26. Buying Berghia verrucicornis &. Aiptasia
    From: Michael Bloss, June 18, 2001
  27. Berghia intelligence
    From: Yvonne Rozsenich , June 16, 2001
  28. Berghia verrucicornis to give away
    From: Yvonne Rozsenich, June 11, 2001
  29. Berghia verrucicornis for sale
    From: Luis Doallo, March 23, 2001
  30. The identity of Berghia verrucicornis
    From: Steven , March 3, 2001
  31. Keeping Berghia verrucicornis
    From: Yvonne Rozsenich, March 2, 2001
  32. Sea Spiders and Berghia
    From: Carlos, January 24, 2001
  33. Pycnogonids and Berghia verrucicornis
    From: Jennifer Whitacre, January 19, 2001
  34. Berghia verrucicornis and other sea anemones?
    From: Thomas Ipsen, October 7, 2000
  35. Aiptasia problems
    From: Berndt Nollmeyer , June 7, 2000
  36. Buying Berghia verrucicornis
    From: Bryan Schroeder, February 26, 2000
  37. Aquaculture of Berghia verrucicornis
    From: Gary J. Robinson, February 14, 2000
  38. Removing Aiptasia from reef tanks
    From: Peter Myers, February 7, 2000
  39. Berghia verrucicornis for sale
    From: Joey Berkley , January 7, 2000
  40. Spurilla australis
    From: Michael Phan, December 24, 1999
  41. Looking to buy a nudibranch...
    From: Carrie Clark, December 17, 1999
  42. Re: Berghia verrucicornis v. Aiptasia
    From: Michele Brown , October 1, 1999
  43. Berghia verrucicornis versus Aiptasia
    From: Dave Behrens, September 23, 1999
  44. Aiptasia-eating nudibranchs
    From: Ara Vaporciyan, August 31, 1999
  45. The Aiptasia problem revisited
    From: Anthony Donovan, August 21, 1999
  46. Re: Berghia verrucicornis
    From: Karen, July 16, 1999
  47. Where can I get Berghia verrucicornis?
    From: David, June 20, 1999
  48. Can I get Berghia in Europe?
    From: Ward Spruyt, February 24, 1999
  49. Where do I buy Berghia verrucicornis?
    From: Gary Swanberg, October 19, 1998
  50. Aiptasia eating nudibranch
    From: LEE , August 15, 1998
  51. Info about Berghia verrucicornis
    From: Michael Phan, July 2, 1998

Show factsheet and all related messages