Berghia Nudibranch Rock Test

This Aiptasia took a chance and established itself on the front wall of the refugium and an inch from the bottom of the sand bed. The spots next to it look like snail egg sacs. Upon closer inspection, they are found to be "baby anemones" or basal cells most likely being placed by the larger anemone.

I always worry that the Pipefish might injure themselves with the stinging nematocysts of the anemone. Do they instinctively know to stay away?

Now, I've placed the Berghia Nudibranch Rock in close proximity to the Aiptasia. The Nudibranch adults have been hiding underneath this rock which was placed on eggcrate, high up in the refugium. When I moved the rock, I saw a few nudibranchs underneath. Some of the egg strands have disappeared. Hatched? I also saw about 4 adults still in the grid of the eggcrate. So, I placed a recovering plate coral on top for shelter.

The Rock has been losing a lot of Aiptasia since I placed Nudis there 4 days ago. The largest one in the back has disappeared and was probably clobbered by a pack of Nudis sometime during the night. There are a few tiny ones on top, exposed to light. Are they saving them for the baby Nudis?

How many days until they decide to invite this anemone family over for a late night dine in? We shall see.

"They mostly come out at night.....mostly." -Ripley.