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FAQs about Nudibranch Compatibility, Control
Related Articles: Nudibranchs, Sea
Slugs,
Related FAQs: Nudibranchs 1,
Nudibranchs 2,
Berghia Nudibranchs,
Nudibranch Identification,
Nudibranch Behavior,
Nudibranch Selection,
Nudibranch Systems,
Nudibranch Feeding,
Nudibranch Disease,
Nudibranch Reproduction,
Sea Slugs, Marine
Snails 1, Marine Snails 2, Marine
Snails 3, |
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Help! Zoa eating nudis
-03/16/08
Hi, I hope you can answer an urgent question- I recently noticed Zoanthids
disappearing. Today lost several bam bams. I spotted 2- 1/4 inch long green
nudis. Googled them and identified them as Zoanthid predators. It said to use
flatworm exit. I have some used it before and a different tank. I need to know
if this will hurt my RBTA.
<The problem with these types of broad scale "medications" is that you never
really know what they're going to affect in a reef tank. It might hurt other
animals in your tank indirectly. It will kill any flatworms you have (benign or
otherwise) and this could also hurt other animals in your tank (some flatworms
are toxic upon death).>
The package material says it is safe for reef inverts but I would feel better if
I got an expert opinion first.
<Expert opinion? Hehe... will you settle for mine?>
Need answer quick, those buggers are munching away at my zoas as I type.
<My advice would be to remove the Zoanthids to a quarantine tank, and try your
best to remove all the Nudibranchs by hand (with teasers under a magnifying
glass) and also find and scrape off all the eggs (cheap dental tools you can get
at a pharmacy work well). The problem with using flatworm exit for Nudibranchs
is that you usually have to use a dose on the order of 5 to even 10x the
recommended dose. And who knows how safe or not safe such a treatment is for a
whole tank? I wouldn't risk it. If meticulous removal of the pest doesn't work,
I would try the flatworm exit, but only in isolation (if possible).>
Thank you so much in advance
Linda Mecher : (
<Good luck!
Sara M.> <<RMF would try the "usual assortment" of probable small
predatory wrasses here as well.>>
Re: (Follow up: to Eric Russell) New
solution against Monti eating nudis...
New Weapon In The Fight Against Montipora-Eating Nudibranchs – 03/10/08
Hi Eric!
<<Hiya Dominique!>>
I just made this discovery. Using camel shrimps (Rhynchocinetes durbanensis) to
fight Montipora eating Aeolid Nudibranchs.
<<Really?>>
Never heard of that trick before.
<<Me neither…though I must mention, I don’t consider these shrimp “reef-safe” at
all>>
Very interesting, have a look:
http://www.korallen-zucht.de/index.php?article_id=52&clang=1
<<Ahh! A shrimp stocked “cleansing tank” separate from the main display…and
utilized like a hospital/treatment tank…though for a much shorter time period.
Keeping a small tank with a few of these shrimp in it should be a simple thing;
and an interesting display on its own to boot!… Very cool!>>
Ciao!
Dominique
<<Thanks so much for the input, my friend. Prendere cura! EricR>>
Berghia Nudibranchs? 3/2/08
Hi Folks,
<Hi Tyson!>
I hope all is well with you.
<It’s going very well, thank you!>
My question is in regards to some Berghia Nudibranch that I have recently found
wandering my tank.
<Okay>
I have encountered several red and olive green colored Berghia, not your typical
cream colored variety. The body shape and characteristics are identical to the
specimens typically sold for aiptasia control.
<Could easily be something else within the same family (Aeolidiidae) or suborder
(Aeolidacea). If you have the time, please look through the species listed under
those names at this link for comparison:
http://www.seaslugforum.net/specieslist.cfm .>
I have one aiptasia near the top of my tank that they seem to have no interest
in.
Instead I find them wandering my Zoanthid colonies.
<Uh-oh. That concerns me, as aeolids prey on cnidarians (corals, anemones,
etc.). Please see the information/photos at the following link, as well as those
within the links listed at the bottom for comparison:
http://www.seaslugforum.net/display.cfm?id=18140>
It's hard to tell if they are causing any damage because I have only seen four
or five of them in the last few weeks. Do you think that these Berghia pose a
threat to my zoo colonies or perhaps any other coral?
<It’s entirely possible. I’d keep a sharp eye on things and be prepared to act
quickly. These Nudibranchs tend to be fairly specific about what they eat. If
you haven’t seen any damage to your Zoanthids, they may have a taste for
something else.>
If they are not eating aiptasia, what are they eating?
<Likely some other Cnidarian (if present) in your tank. It’s also possible that
their preferred food isn’t available and that they’re not going to be around too
much longer. In the meantime, I’d keep a very sharp eye out for damage/loss.
Please see this link for more information regarding Aeolid Nudibranchs:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nudispt3.htm (also see related links within)
http://www.seaslugforum.net/display.cfm?id=18140>
Thanks!
Tyson
<You’re welcome and good luck! Take care, -Lynn>
Stocking question, FOWLR, and
Nudi comp. 2/29/08
Hi,
<Chris>
I'm planning my wish list for a 125g FOWLR tank that's been cycling with 90-100
lbs. live rock for about a month now, and I think I've narrowed it
down to these 7:
1. Foxface
2. either a Tomato or Cinnamon clown
3. Arabian (aldabraensis) Pseudochromis
4. Flame angel
5. either a Desjardini or purple tang
6. Bluechin trigger
7. Lunare wrasse
My questions would be: (a) Presuming I add one fish a month (more or less), and
sufficient nooks/caves/bridges for the more passive fish to shelter,
would all 7 ultimately be too much for a 125g?
<Mmm, not too much, behaviorally or physiologically>
If so, which would be best to omit? (b) Do you see any compatibility problems
with this list?
<Triggers are always a wild card, and the Thalassoma wrasse could "turn" mean...
but likely no problems here>
(c) In what order should they go for the best likelihood of success/no fighting?
<The Dottyback and Siganid first, the Clown and trigger last>
Everything I've read says the more peaceful ones first, which leads me to think
Foxface/Desjardini, but I've also read that those 2 are better to put
into a tank with established amount of algae. Right now there's coralline,
macroalgae and sponges encrusting the rock, but not the filamentous stuff
they'd probably graze on. If the choice was between the Desjardini or the Purple
tang, which would be a better tankmate for the others on this list?
<The Purple... the other gets too large...>
.I read the purple tang is rougher, so maybe he'd hold his own better?
<Should>
On an unrelated question, a couple of Nudibranchs hitched on the live rock and
one is laying eggs (a gelatinous looking trail with hundreds of little
visible specks) on the top of the tank front glass, where the water flow is
strong). I read that these guys are short lived in an aquarium, and when
they die, they could poison the whole system, killing the other occupants.
<Mmm, not so much here... this volume will dilute>
Its such an amazing looking creature, but should I take it out before he runs
out of food?
<I wouldn't>
It seems to be eating one particular sponge. What if these eggs all hatch and a
bunch of them go down the overflow?
<So be it>
Ultimately, I'm concerned about the fish that I plan on putting in the tank. The
articles I've read say that nudis taste bad and fish don't eat them.
<Usually so>
I'm a little suspicious of the opinions I get at the LFS, so your help is
greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance,
Chris S.
<I would enjoy them. Bob Fenner>
Nudibranchs, as pred.s on
Acroporas
-02/20/08
Hello crew,
<Howdy>
I very quick question for you. I have gotten some information from my supplier
and would like some help. I have purchased a lot of various Acroporas in the
past, (cultured only). My recent purchases have somewhat intrigued me. All the
Acroporas, are dipped and placed in quarantine for 6 weeks. No matter what.
However these corals are dying from the bottom up, and from the tips inward.
After contacting my supplier he claims there is a huge problem with parasitic
Nudibranchs industry wide and manufactures are scrambling to find a solution
that will kill the Nudibranchs and their eggs. How you any information on this.
I have sent some die off pieces to a lab friend, so I do not have any pictures
yet. Thanks, I appreciate any help.
<Hmm... AEF usually eat/kill from the base up and out. If your corals are dying
from the tips in, that sounds more like a different problem. In any case, this
is my favorite page/site on AEF:
http://www.melevsreef.com/aefw.html
You can see from the pictures what an infected coral looks like and how the
infestation progresses. Another good article...
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/mc/index.php>
Ann Marie
<Best,
Sara M.>
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Best Predator For Montipora
Eating Nudibranch? – 12/12/07
Hi!
<<Hello Dominique>>
What would be the best predator against Montipora eating Nudibranchs (Aeolids)?
<<This “ideal predator” is likely another larger/different species of
Nudibranch...and probably not readily available to the hobby>>
Is it very likely to help? Very importantly, is it safe around small shrimps
such as sexy shrimps?
<<I’ve found little, in my experience, that will help with battling these pests.
Even prophylactic dips seemed more harmful to the already stressed corals than
the Nudibranchs...and although freshwater dips did kill the nudis, they also
killed the corals>>
Would the six line wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia) be a good choice?
<<Not in my experience. This and a couple other wrasse genera I’ve tried
(Halichoeres, Cirrhilabrus) did not seem interested at all in these small pest
Nudibranchs>>
Any risk that this wrasse eats sexy shrimps...?
<<Is a possibility>>
One last thing, is it going to doom my mandarin (food competition)?
<<The Pseudocheilinus will out-compete the mandarin, and unless the system is
large (more than 100g), will also likely deplete the available food supply>>
Many thanks!
Dominique
<<I’m afraid I don’t have a simple answer for your problem. You can try manual
extraction with tweezers (very tedious...and they multiply very quickly) and
blowing/clearing the Nudibranchs from the affected corals with a turkey baster.
Both of these tactics will work best if the corals can be removed to a
bare-bottom quarantine tank to facilitate siphon removal of stray/blown-off
animals/egg strands. I have seen these Nudibranchs “cycle-out” on their own
after a while, and without eating/killing “all” their prey food items...though
most all small colonies were lost. Do also check the reef forums (Reef Central,
reefs.org) and see if someone there has had any success eradicating these pests.
Regards, EricR>>
Re: Best Predator For
Montipora Eating Nudibranch? – 12/12/07
Thanks for the reply.
<<Sorry it wasn’t better news>>
It's a depressing situation.
<<Agreed…though I must mention, it may have been avoided with quarantine>>
I just read some people saying the six line wrasse helped them.
<<Is possible>>
I am skeptical about that given what you already told me.
<<I can only relate my experience and the experience of others I have known>>
So far it seems to eat a single species.
<<The Nudibranch? Yes, it is quite common for these creatures to feed very
selectively…sometimes even only on a single prey species>>
Even moved to the other end of the tank to eat some more of it while there was
another Monti species in the vicinity.
<<My experience with these Nudibranchs was that they fed only on the plating and
encrusting species of Montipora…and completely ignored M. digitata>>
But I don’t know what they'll do when there is nothing left of that species they
like.
<<Hopefully they will just “fade away”>>
I also just read that they should eat all Montipora species.
<<I disagree… Some seem quite specific in their diet. Hopefully you will be
lucky in this regard>>
My tank is Montipora dominated. If they wipe out my colonies of digitata I think
I may go out of the hobby. :( We shall see...
Thanks again!
Dominique
<<My fingers are crossed… Am hoping, betting you will be around for a while
[grin]. Good luck my friend. Eric Russell>>
R2: Best Predator For
Montipora Eating Nudibranch? – 12/13/07
Am more relaxed about it today after a night’s sleep, but was a bit freaking
out yesterday. :)
<<No worries re the “freaking”… And I’m glad you feel better>>
For sure you are right about quarantine, but there is one thing: the nudis
*appeared* just two months (exactly 57 days) after introduction of the
new/latest coral in my tank. Is that not amazing!?
<<Hmm, interesting… Perhaps there was an incidental introduction/hitchhiker
(Nudibranch or eggs) on an added piece of rock, macroalgae, even a fish…>>
So to be bullet proof (at least with Montipora eating Aeolid Nudibranchs) I
guess one has to do a three month quarantine.
<<Mmm, well…not really practical, eh?>>
Ok, will report to you on the final outcome in a few months...
<<Please do!>>
Thanks for your support Eric!
Dominique
<<Is my pleasure to assist. Eric Russell>>
R3: Best Predator For Montipora
Eating Nudibranch? (Update) – 02/20/08
Hi Eric,
<<Hiya Dominique!>>
Just to let you know about the final outcome of the Montipora eating
Nudibranch invasion.
<<Ah, okay!>>
You were right about how specific they are in their diet.
<<Indeed>>
They do seem to be impossible to remove from a tank until there is no
more food for them.
<<Yep>>
They also can move to the sump easily to follow their prey if one
naïvely tries to hide a piece down there...
<<Ha! Sorry, I know it’s not funny, but…>>
But they only eat capricornis,
<<At least this particular species>>
not even other plating Montipora.
<<Mmm…”quite specific” indeed>>
In fact there is a nice piece in my tank I assumed to be a capricornis
as it looks very similar and was sold to me as such, but the nudis make
the difference.
<<I see>>
I made a little research since then and ID it as M. undata.
<<Oh? Neat…>>
So only two small/medium sized (capricornis) corals were affected in the
end: nothing happened to the many digitata, danae, undata and nodosa.
<< Yay!>>
So I won’t be selling my tank after all... ;)
Dominique
<< I’m pleased you’ve decided to stay in the hobby…and I thank you much
for the update. Cheers, Eric Russell>> |
Zoanthid eating Nudibranchs
11/30/07
I recently found quite a few Zoanthid eating Nudibranchs in one of my tanks,
we have a few that are plumbed together. We have pulled off as many as we can
find, dipped them in an iodine solution and pulled off all the egg spirals we
can find.
<Good>
The colonies that are infested are in QT now. My question is this: when the eggs
that we haven't found hatch do they have a free swimming larval stage, and if so
would a UV sterilizer prevent them from making their way into my other tanks.
<No>
Is there anything I can do other than quarantining them and pulling the
Nudibranchs off with tweezers? Do you know of any fish that would eat them that
I could add to my tanks?
Thanks for all your help.
Amanda
<"Eggs develop and hatch as free-swimming veliger larvae with a rudimentary
coiled shell. The shell is lost with the larvae metamorphosing into a miniature
adult settling on the bottom." (WWM) More rapid, complete physical filtration
might sieve them out. Bob Fenner>
Re: Hey Bob, its Niki. Got an
anemone question here. Actually, now a predaceous Nudi. on Sarcophyton
(elegans?) 11/21/07
You are the best! That site rocks. Thanks, Bob. One more question...have you
ever seen/heard of a 'Yellow Fiji Umbrella' specific Nudibranch?
<Mmm, have been to Fiji a few times, diving... seen yellow Nudibranchs there...
Do you have a pic?>
I found a few nudis the same exact color of the coral latched onto some very
unhappy Sarcos.
<Bad... should be physically removed, search the soft corals for egg packets,
those removed as well>
They reminded me very much of smaller versions of the larger white Nudibranchs
that we find on the Sinularias and such. The difference is that they mimic the
yellow color of the umbrellas, much like the Nudibranchs found on P. cylindrica.
I do have pics if you need to see them. Thanks, Niki
<Please do send these along... have collected, and discourage the collection of
the "Yellow Sarcos" from here, and Tonga... as for whatever reasons (I know
naught) they don't often live for long... but have been so inobservant as to not
notice these apparent predators. Be chatting, BobF>
Re: Niki here, w/ pic of our little
yellow friend. Nudi feeding on Sarcos... 11/22/07
So here's the culprit.
<Ah, yes. Nice pix>
I found about 10 or so embedded very deep in the tissue, all hidden very
cleverly within the ruffles of the Fiji Yellows. The only reason they
came to my attention was the fact that I was treating all of my
alcyonaceans with Levimasole Hydrochloride due to a rampant infestation
of the run-of-the-mill white Nudibranchs, mostly on my Sinularias. The
little yellow guys started bailing off. I have included a pic next to
the other Nudibranch so you can get a feel for the size.
<Yes... reports up to 1">
The white Nudi is almost an inch long. All of the yellow ones were about
the same size. Let me know what you think, thanks again, Niki
<Mmm, I do think you are wise to be using a dewormer. Look for the
spiral egg masses... and remove them as well. Cheers, Bob Fenner> |
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Nudibranch?
Good or Bad? Hard to tell from the photo. – 06/26/07
Hi Bob:
<Hi Chris, You have Mich as your crewmember tonight.>
It's been a few years, but any clue to what this is (see attached) and
if it's going to cause some issues in my Reef?
<Appears to be a Nudibranch, but I can't tell much beyond that from the
photo. It is more helpful to have a view of the dorsal side than the
ventral side when looking at sea slugs. Looks a little like an Arminid
sea slug, but I wouldn't put too much stock in this. You may want to
check the sea slug forum at http://www.seaslugforum.net/ >
Some on Reefcentral seem to think it is a soft coral eater and I should
remove it (them).
<Is possible that this could be predacious on soft corals or other
creatures in your tank. Nudibranchs generally don't have terribly long
life spans.>
Do these reproduce rapidly?
<They are generally hermaphroditic, and self-fertilization is rare. So
unless you have two or more in your tank reproduction is not likely. If
there are two or more about, there is more of a chance of reproduction
but captive rearing is generally quite difficult as there are specific
dietary requirements. I don't think you need to worry about plague
populations if this is your concern>
Thanks!
<Welcome! Mich>
Chris Goldenstein |
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Nudibranch/Anemone Slime Upsetting Fish?
Yep! 6/6/07
Hello,
<Greetings, Mich with you today.>
I had a quick question about the effects of Nudibranch or anemone slime on
fish. I added a rock flower anemone, a couple Cerith snails, and a lettuce
Nudibranch (I got a bit of hair algae for him to get rid of) into my tank
today and while acclimating them and adding them into the tank a great deal
of the slime they had produced while in their bags went into the water.
<Yikes!>
I tried to remove some of it but couldn't get it all. Anyway, about 2 hours
after adding in these items my four fish (2 true Percs, a bicolor blenny,
and a purple Pseudochromis) began to scratch their faces/ gills on rocks.
They then stopped for a while but began to scratch again a few hours later.
<Likely a reaction to the toxins introduced into the system.>
I have had a problem in the past with ich but I made sure to quarantine all
the fish for 6 weeks using hypo salinity and left the main tank free of fish
as well. The hypo salinity seemed to work as all the fish returned to a
relaxed state and their symptoms of ich went away so after their long
quarantine period they were reintroduced into the main tank. It has been 2-3
months since this outbreak and they have shown no signs of ich since. I have
also added no new fish into the tank since then.
<Ok.>
Basically, my question is whether or not their sudden scratching could be
from the introduction of these new inverts and the slime they produced
during their long journey from the fish store or if the fish have ich or
some other parasite infestation again and just be chance they didn’t begin
to feel it until 2 hours after I introduced the new items?
<Probably a result of the chemical hazards added to your tank.>
After testing my water my results were normal.
<Ok.>
In your opinion, should I prepare for a possible parasite infestation or
wait and observe the fish before acting?
<I would wait and observe, though this stress response can weaken the immune
system allowing parasitic organisms a more favorable foothold.>
Also, do fish ever scratch on rocks to mark territory?
<Mmm, not that I'm aware of.>
I am guessing the answer is no but it was worth asking because my fish
seemed to all scratch on the rocks around the same time and then suddenly
stop almost in unison.
<Again, no doubt a response to environmental stress. You should add an extra
bag of carbon ASAP and consider a larger water change.>
Thanks for any advice you can give me and sorry if this has been answered
before.
<Hope this helps. Mich>
Zoanthid Eating Nudibranch...Not Hydroids After all! - 01/25/07
Dear Crew,
<<Hello Russell>>
A couple of weeks ago I wrote to you that my four small Zoanthid rocks in my 11
month old tank were infested with hydroids. You offered good advice. Upon
further observation, and research, these are actually small Nudibranchs.
<<Uh-oh...not the "better" option>>
They are about 2-6 mm in size, light brown, and very, very annoying.
<<Indeed>>
I dipped the four colonies in fairly concentrated Lugol’s with a SG of
1.014. Then I did a flash FW dip. I don't have a pH meter, so I just added a
small amount of tank water to the FW; hoping to buffer as well as I could.
<<Not likely much of a factor here>>
It seemed to work. All zoo colonies opened up and did well.
<<Hardy little buggers those zoanthids>>
But now- really, based on my research, not much of a surprise- two have the
little creeper's back on them.
<<Yep, a few adults/egg strings were probably still in the display while you
were nuking the rocks>>
My next step is to remove all four rocks and place in my QT, with periodic dips.
<<A good move, though I would only perform the dips if/when the Nudibranchs are
sighted>>
The nudi's only seem to be going after my zoo's, and not my softies or LPS.
<<They are likely "obligate" feeders on the Zoanthids>>
No SPS in my tank yet... and certainly not until I take care of these Nudi's. I
have heard Nudi eggs are hard to kill (I am a family physician and have the same
problem getting lice eggs out of my patients' hair)?
<<Usually more "resistant" to attempts to eradicate, yes...but I think your plan
to remove the Zoanthids from the display will allow any remaining eggs to hatch
and die out...not unlike leaving a tank fallow when treating an ich
infestation>>
Besides Lugol’s (which, I swear, has to be the same Iodine I use to clean wounds
in my office),
<<Ahh, but it is mate! Lugol's Solution (named after the French physician
J.G.A. Lugol...and also called IKI (Iodine Potassium-Iodide); Iodine, Strong
solution (Systemic); and Aqueous Iodine Solution BP) is a mixture of 5% iodine
(I2) and 10% potassium iodide (KI) in distilled water with a total iodine
content of 130 mg/mL>>
any medicated dips you can suggest?
<<I think the Lugol's is fine>>
I suspect the only thing I can do is QT, do freq dips and, essentially, use
tweezers to pick them off for the next, say, three to five years...
<<Ha! At least you have a plan [grin]>>
It's ironic that hobbyists have the hardest time keeping the large, pretty
Nudibranchs alive and, at the same time, can't seem kill off these prolific
little buggers.... the Aiptasia of slugs.
<<All comes down to providing an adequate supply of the appropriate foodstuffs
my friend>>
Thanks,
Russell in KY
<<Always a pleasure to assist. EricR in South Carolina>>
Montipora Eating Nudibranch Predator? - 05/26/06
Hello WWM staff,
<<Hello Stephen>
I recently noticed a small number (at least what I could see) of Nudibranchs
consuming various species of my Montipora.
<<Mmm, very bad...and their numbers are higher than you realize>>
This was very disappointing as I have gone through a QT for everything, but
obviously something slipped by my inspection.
<<Indeed>>
Over the past 3 weeks I have moved most of my Montipora to a frag tank where I
inspect and manually remove the adults and eggs at least every other day.
<<Prolific breeders, I would do this daily...if you're serious about eradicating
the Nudibranchs>>
Finding very few now and found none yesterday!
<<Keep checking...a few weeks quarantine in order here>>
I do however have 2 large colonies of M. digitata that I can not remove
completely as they have encrusted large rocks at their bases.
<<Different species about (Nudibranchs), but my experience with these critters
is they showed a definite preference for the plating (e.g. - M. capricornis) and
encrusting (e.g. - M. danae) Montipora over the branching varieties>>
Just yesterday I noticed 1 Nudi at the base of one of these colonies (Where
there is one, I'm sure there are more).
<<Yes>>
After dispatching this Nudi I inspected as best I
could and can not see any more.
<<Again, in my experience, once the food source is removed they tend to
"disappear" quickly>>
So having found this in my display still and not being able to easily remove all
of the Montipora, is there a fish predator for these guys that would make an
appropriate addition to a community reef tank for a 90gal?
<<Not that I'm aware...for sure. Some of the reef-safe wrasses "may" eat the
Nudibranchs, but I have never witnessed/heard confirmed reports of this. If you
wish to try, a wrasse from the genus Halichoeres might be a good choice>>
I have seen a couple of species or wrasses mention, but little direct
discussion.
<<Indeed...I once experienced and episode with these Nudibranchs...I had wrasses
from four different genera in my tank (including Halichoeres) but could never
discern any of them feeding on the Nudibranchs>>
Thank you,
Stephen
<<Quite welcome, EricR>>
Nudibranchs/Ceratosoma tenue 5/15/06
Hi Crew,
<Hello Mohamed>
This weekend I found 10 Nudibranchs which looks like the Ceratosoma tenue on
the site. All my new corals are dipped before placing in my display tank.
At the time of removing some sick corals for a dip, I found the Nudibranchs
which I removed but yet all the corals did not survive.
I would assume that the Nudibranchs was feeding on the corals. I am sure
there are more. I have used a trap but have not caught any as yet.
Is there a fish, invert, etc that can be used to feed on the Nudibranchs but
must be reef safe.
<None that I know of due to the fact of their nasty taste. Bob may know of
a predator and hopefully inject something here. <<Nothing specific. RMF>>
Most Nudi's are carnivores and each species usually has a particular
victim. Victims are immobile invertebrates such as barnacles,
Zoanthids,
anemones, hard corals, etc. I'd pluck them out by hand to be on the safe
side.> <<Or siphon out. RMF>>
Thanks
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Mohamed.
Nudibranch/Phyllodesmium briareum/Compatibility 3/30/06
I have a Phyllodesmium briareum Nudibranch, identified by LFS. It is
living in/eating my green star polyps. My question is will this type
slug harm other corals? <Does feed on soft corals in nature. I would return
as eventually all your star polyps will be eaten.> I also have many SPS
species, Toadstool leathers, Candycane, frogspawn and a torch coral. The GSP
are spreading rapidly except where the Nudi is currently. Thanks <You're
welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Mike Winston
Re: Phyllodesmium briareum - 4/11/2006
Thanks for the reply, <You're welcome.> I did not get from your reply if
this type of Nudi is a threat to Frogspawn or torch coral. It is really an
interesting animal and so far I have seen no harm to anything other than the GSP
but have not found any real descriptions of what
exactly is meant by "Soft Coral", Could the polyps of the frogspawn be
considered? <Soft corals do not have a calcium base, attach/grow on
rock. I don't have a specific on exactly which soft corals they consume. If you
wish to keep the Nudi, your Green Star Polyps will be at risk and
once these are gone, the Nudi may seek other items on the menu. You will just
have to monitor the situation.>
Thanks again <You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Mike
Chromodoris willani...is this Nudibranch toxic at all? 8/19/05
thanks
Danielle
<Mmm, yes... unpalatability is a clue, eh? Bob Fenner>
Re: Chromodoris willani 8/22/05
Hi
About the Chromodoris willani, I guess I should be more specific, if it
dies will it poison my tank? Sorry for being so vague earlier.
Thanks
Danielle Workman
<Still too vague... if the tank is large enough, well-filtered, circulated... no
problem/s. Bob Fenner>
Phyllodesmium Munched Xenia? - 06/18/05
Greetings.
<<Hello>>
I have a 30 gallon saltwater tank with 10 gallon sump. A protein skimmer
(Excalibur) resides in the sump along with the heater. I
have about 30 lbs of Tonga live rock, with two cleaner shrimps, 5 hermit
crabs, a toadstool leather coral, a green star polyp colony, one
(individual) green Ricordea mushroom polyp and (most recent addition) a "Pom
Pom" xenia colony. The aquarium is about 2 months old. Water parameters
are: Temp=78-80, ammonia/nitrite=0, nitrate<10, dKH=12, ph=8.0. Lighting
is by Coralife power compacts (96 watt 10K daylight and 96 watt actinic).
<<OK>>
My primary question is about the Xenia. It was a beautiful specimen when
purchased one week ago at the LFS. Two days ago it started to "shrivel" and
exhibit a small amount of "slime". This condition worsened and this
morning, before daylight, I observed it with a flashlight. I saw what
appeared to be a portion of the colony moving down the live rock below the
main colony! When I realized it must be a nudibranch, I removed it.
<<Good move.>>
It excreted a clear, gelatinous substance when it realized it was
detected. I did a search on the internet and found something called a
"Phyllodesmium", a Xenia eating nudibranch, which matched the
appearance. The Xenias shriveled to less than 1/2 its original volume, but
most of it is still pulsing. What can I do, if anything, to save this
beautiful creature?
<<With the removal of the nudibranch (though do check for more), tis likely
the Xenia will recover...though a dose of iodine (follow instructions
carefully) may help.>>
In the case of its tank mates (other than the nudibranch!), the LFS was
aware of everything in the tank and I basically have followed their
recommendations when selecting from among creatures that appeal to me, since
they seemed fairly respectable. I now know, after researching your site,
that the ph should be > 8.3 for Xenia.
<<Yes...and as stable as possible.>>
How quickly should I increase the ph from the current 8.0?
<<Over the course of a couple days will be fine.>>
A secondary question concerns the coloration of the green star
polyp colony and Ricordea. Both have turned a lighter, more yellow-green
since being in my tank. The Ricordea is near the substrate, while the green
star polyp is near the top of the tank. Do you have any suggestions, or is
this normal?
<<You have them placed as I would suggest. Coral coloration is as much a
function of feeding as environment. If you are providing good water flow
(minimum 10x tank volume.), try feeding a bit if finely minced meaty foods
to the corals. Frozen Cyclop-eeze and Sweetwater Plankton are great foods
for this.>>
The size of the Ricordea is the same or slightly larger than
when purchased, although the green star polyps don't seem to extend quite as
far as they first did (perhaps due to crabs crawling on them?)
<<More likely inadequate water flow.>>
With great appreciation and respect, Lan Carter
<<Warm Regards, Eric R.>>
Predatory Nudibranch?
Hi Guys, I'm fairly new to reefing. <Welcome! Ryan with you> I've had my
tank for about 6 months ....I recently purchased a yellow leather coral and
about a week ago I noticed it has acquired a small host (about one inch). I'd
like to know what it is and if it is beneficial or harmful. <Likely
harmful...Everything on a reef eats something else on the reef. Perhaps send a
picture, but I'd remove it ASAP if it was me.> It appears to be some form of
Nudibranch and it stays solely on the yellow leather. Its color is bright white
with black specks on it. the black specs are located mainly on its sides and
lower area. I'd appreciate any information you may have. Thank you for your
help. Rick. <Sounds predatory. These are fairly common with new
acquisitions...Read up on quarantine procedures. Good luck with the
removal. Ryan>
Nudibranchs in tank.
I have a question about an unknown hitchhiker that has shown up in my 12gl
Nano Reef tank. <Good Morning Julian, MacL here with you.> I believe that it
came in on some star polyps. <Just one quick suggestion Julian and that is to
quarantine your corals or at the very least dip them.> I have other corals and
a tube anemone but the star polyps seem to be the most likely to harbor small
critters. <I do understand what you are saying with this.> It is reminiscent of
a small transparent brown nudibranch with red points on it's tail end. It looks
similar to the symbol shown below. The largest of them are around 1 to 2 mm
square in size and really thin (transparent. They appear to be eating algae but
I'm concerned that they might be or might start eating coral flesh. <I had a
short episode with these guys in my refugium. They were a pain to get rid of but
eventually I did it. First, they went out of control because my tank was out of
balance so water changes helped that immensely. Then I had to cut drastically
back on the lighting in my tank. While they seemed to feed on algae, they seemed
to need the lighting to flourish.> They are breeding like pink
tribbles. <Definitely! I also sucked them out of my tank with a turkey baster.>
Currently the only mobile predators in the tank are a fire shrimp, arrow crab
and a citron clown goby. They don't seem to be interested in munching on
them. Part of me wonders if they will eventually level their numbers out over
time and evolution of the tank...But...I just don't know. Do you got any
suggestions or words of wisdom to share? <I think that you could add some type
of Dottyback or wrasse to munch on them but if you do the things I have
suggested you should be able to get rid of them shortly. Took me a little over a
week to see a difference. Good luck, MacL>
Thanks a bunch and have a wonderful day
Phyllodesmium ate xenia
Hello. I tried to send an e-mail yesterday by going to your website, but perhaps it did not make it through. I have a
Pom Pom xenia, which was
really a beautiful creature when purchased a week ago. Three days ago I noticed it "shriveling up". I inspected it during the night and found
what appeared to be part of the colony moving down the rock away from the rest! It turned out to be a
Phyllodesmium that had been eating the xenia.
<Collected and shipped with it>
I removed the Phyllo., which secreted a gluey, clear coating as I removed it from its hiding place. Inspecting the xenia afterwards, I could see
that the damaged areas were whiter than the rest. I trimmed what I could of the damage away from the rest of the colony. Is there anything else I
can do to help save this beautiful creature?
<Mmm, not much that I know... perhaps a full-dose of iodine/ide will help. Will ask Anthony Calfo, an old culturist of Xeniids, for his input here>
The remaining colonies are still pulsing but are also shriveled, although not discolored. Tank
details follow: 30 gallon with 10 gallon sump, Excalibur protein skimmer, Coralife 192 watt power compact lights (half 10K daylight, half actinic),
ammonia/nitrite=0, nitrate<10, dKH about 12-13, ph 8.0, salinity 1.024. The tank has been running about 2 months. I am slowly raising the ph
using SeaChem's marine buffer 8.3 (supposedly reaches 8.3 and holds there). I am adding, daily, about 1/3 the amount of the buffer that the
bottle recommends (just trying to be cautious).
Tank inhabitants are: 2 cleaner shrimps, toadstool leather, green button polyp colony, 1
Ricordea mushroom polyp, 30 lbs Tonga live rock. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Lan
<Keep your eyes open for other Nudibranch predators... Bob Fenner>
Whodunit?
I have a 75-gallon, 6-month old reef with a light fish load and mostly
corals and clean-up crew. Recently two Nudibranchs (or so I am told)
came in on a colt coral. The coral died, the unexpected guests grew
bigger. They were white, about 2 inches long, tentacles like snails,
with white lacey, almost "fluffy" bodies. Beautiful! I have seen
similar, larger ones for sale from a local livestock dealer. After a
large mushroom colony that had been thriving suddenly crashed
(everything else in tank is fine) I became suspicious, and removed the
creatures. I know that it is not known for sure what Nudibranchs eat --
is it possible they ate the colt and mushrooms?
I have a cowry in my reef, as well. It is exquisite, and stays on the
glass or substrate much of the time, but occasionally can be found on
corals (knocking over the live rock is a problem). I consulted The
Conscientious Marine Aquarist, and found no indication that they may eat
my soft corals. Could the cowry be the culprit? Did I remove the
wrong tank inhabitants?
One other question -- my phosphates and nitrates have been consistently
high lately, so I added a Poly Filter just last night. In addition, I
added "d*nitrate" over the weekend. I was told these would be okay
together in the sump. Do I discontinue adding supplements? I usually
add Coral Vital and C-Balance every other day, and Strontium and Iodine
once a week. I have beautiful coralline algae growth that has taken
months to begin developing. I hate to sacrifice the growth process.
Please advise!
Thank you, Margaret Camp
>>
Thank you for writing. I do strongly suspect the Nudibranchs. Yes, there are
"naked gill" snails as you describe, that have soft coral diets... and
they can be destructive.
Of the couple hundred species of Cowries (family Cypraeidae) I am familiar with
a few that will eat some soft corals... but not as you relate (have some friends
of friends in the shell interest who have me looking for a handful of species on
foreign travels... for science-karyotyping... so have more than a tangential
interest in the group). The cowry would not consume the leathers like this...
The PolyFilter should be fine, with or without the other product, and I would
continue with your supplement routine... and increase water changes, boost
lighting to "use up" the excess nitrates... Is there any way to
convince you to consider making a denitrator in the sump? Even just adding a
couple of units of Siporax beads there will significantly reduce the NO3.
Bob Fenner
Fin Rot?
My husband has a 50 gallon saltwater tank. Up until about 3 days ago, he
had
a black and green Nudibranch in the tank. Unfortunately, this poor
creature
met his demise when he got sucked into the power head.
I'm not sure how long he was stuck in the powerhead, but I came home and
noticed that everything did not "look right" with the tank. That is
when we
found the Nudibranch and promptly removed him. At the time that we found
him, we also noticed that all of the fish were stressed and covered with
what
looked like freshwater aquarium "ick." There are two blue/yellow
damsels,
one domino damsel, one yellow tang, and a clown fish in the tank. At
first,
the domino damsel seemed to have suffered the most. His fins were tattered
and bloody and he had a white "covering" on his eyes. Soon after, the
clown
fish and one of the blue/yellow damsels were affected. The tang developed
clear, blister-like nodules on his fins (excluding the tail and dorsal fins).
We have done a 25% water change and yet the "fin rot" seems to be
getting
worse. The tang now has no flesh to speak of on his fins...there is
nothing
left but bone...and his dorsal fin and tail are showing signs of
infection.
My first thought was that the Nudibranch released a "poison" into the
tank
when he was chewed up by the powerhead. Am I correct? If so, what action
and/or treatment can be done to clear this up before all of the fish are
affected and killed? The biggest problem is that my husband also has
anemones, tube worms, sponges, soft corals, and other invertebrates in the
tank. Whatever is in the water seems to be affecting EVERYTHING and we
don't
have a hospital tank. PLEASE help us...give us some advice...something to
try!
Thanks, Gina and Dane Gerdes
>>
How much made-up synthetic seawater do you have on hand... Change ALL or as much
of the water as can be removed and replaced to have all your gear still working
(i.e., if only half the tank can be refilled, but all your filters, pumps,
heaters work, do so). Do you have any chemical filtrants like activated carbon
on hand. Do place that in your filter flow paths...
You've noticed how distinctive Nudibranchs are in "wild" photographs?
And how slow moving they are in captivity? Yes they are bundles of noxious
materials... as part of their involved defense mechanisms package...
Here's hoping that the massive dilution and absorption saves the rest of your
livestock. Good luck to you.
Bob Fenner
Nudibranch
I was wondering if you thought that a 1 inch long white with black spots,
slug shaped Nudi a white bush structure on his back was bad for a reef tank?
<In your ninety gallon system with lots of live rock? I'd leave it. Likely no
problem if it lives or goes.>
I see him on the glass every morning.
<Watch him while you're sipping your AM Joe>
He came on the Marshall Islands live rock that was extra fresh.
Thank you as always,
Todd Gabriel
<Be chatting. Bob Fenner>
Re: Nudibranch
Actually I have caught three of these little Nudi's last night I isolated
them in a plastic bowl floating on top of the tank.
Will tree of these little cuties eat my stony corals and clams?
<Rare that Nudibranchs might eat stony corals or clams. Prefer other
foodstuffs. Bob Fenner>
Thanks for the expert advice.
Todd
I Need your expertise
Hello Robert!
<Hello>
We've written each other many times this past year. I'm the guy who had
Arnold the Octopus!
Anyway that's not important. I know I shouldn't impulse buy things
without research ing, but I think it got the best of me yesterday.
I was just going to LFS to get water and food and 35 dollars later I
came home with a Tube Worm, I think its spelled a small Purple Pseudo
and Sea Slug.
<Okay>
The???? is or concern rather is will this Sea Slug eat my Mushroom
Corals and Gorgonians. When I asked this ?? at the store the employee
said no, it would just sit in an area were their is the most current.
<What? Can't tell from your description what this animal is, but this
description: "just sit..." is ridiculous>
and that is exactly what it's doing as of the last 13hrs. He's moved all
but an inch. I wanted to learn more so I found a very small blurb in a
Book saying that should it happen on a suitable food source, it will
usually be a prized coral which they will feed upon until it is dead.
(Showing a pict of a Chromodoris quadricolor)
Is this true? Can I stop him before the damage is done, cause he moves
so damn slow! Or should he be removed from the tank?
My slug is a Hypodoris Bullock I think! Take a Look!
http://logos-and-graphics.com/seaslug/HypselodorisBullocki.jpg
http://logos-and-graphics.com/seaslug/HypselodorisBullocki2.jpg
<Mmm, members of this genus have typically narrow feeding strategies...
consuming only a few genera, species of sponges, gorgonians... My pic, input on Nudibranchs...
http://www.WetWebMedia.com/nudibran.htm
Bob Fenner>
Hope you had a great peaceful holiday
Thanks
JET
Nudibranch on star polyps
Bob,
First of all, I am grateful for the wealth of information the WWM group provides
on a daily basis.
I found two Nudibranchs on my star polyps which can be seen while the
lights are either on or off.
Found a picture of them on the web which labels them as a soft coral
eating Nudibranch or Dendronotacean. See following link http://rshimek.com/rogue's_gallery.htm
Should I just pull of this pest off with tweezers/wash off ... please advise...I
also read in Sprung's Vol. 2 of specific harmless Nudibranchs which co-exist with
star polyps .. they looked quite similar in appearance.
Please help Thanks again, Joe Velazquez
<The link did not come through for Shimek's ID. In general though...
predatory Nudis do severe damage fast. If more than a week has gone by... I'm
thinking you are likely safe. Do cut and paste or attach a picture if you
need to follow up.
Best regards, Anthony>
Nudibranch on star polyps
Bob, thanks for the reply, pulled both Nudi's off of starpolyps last night with
tweezers (they held on for dear life)... polyps have not opened since yesterday
morning, hermit crab seemed to be working on polyps this morning ... hope this
is the reason for no polyps.
<quite possibly... they are tripped easily>
Should have taken pictures prior to ... Great to have someone to communicate
with about our hobby/passion ... owe you a beer .... Joe
<agreed... do look up a local aquarium society as well... perhaps the best
place for fellowship and information with enthusiasts>
While I have your attention ... any feeling on coral feeding with "Aqualine
Plancto". Recommended Feeding daily (roughly 8 drops for 120 gallon reef.
Concerned will eventually encounter diatom bloom.
<as with any nutritive supplement, experiment judiciously. Maintain regular
water changes and good nutrient export processes (skimming, chemical media,
water changes) and you will likely be fine. There certainly are no miracle
additives out there>
thanks again
<always welcome, Anthony Calfo>
Coral Slugs eating away
I posted a message at 'About Saltwater Aquarium' and was referred to this
site ("Try sending the pics over to WetWebMedia.Com and ask Bob Fenner and
the boys they might be able to help").
<Anthony Calfo in your service>
Anyhow, here's my original post, I hope you guys can help. Thanks in
advance!
<our great pleasure>
"I purchased a Sinularia coral about two weeks ago. It's looked
fine for the first few days but then started closing up. I changed
it's position in the tank a few times but noticed yesterday that it was getting
smaller and portions appeared to be deteriorating. Well, upon closer inspection
I saw something eating away at the coral which looks like some sort of slug
(I've seen them once before eating my Colt coral).
<Correct... the same "Tassled" (cerata) Nudibranch (Dendronotacea)>
I pulled out the rock to remove the slug and found a total of SIX,
just eating away (coral is about 1/3 to 1/2 of it's original size).
Anyhow, I was wondering if anyone here can identify these slugs (or whatever
else they might be).
<how specifically? Not at all possible by photograph to species... perhaps
not even to genus. Suborder given above>
Here are the pictures:
One last favor / question: I attached a picture of the coral (when it was
healthy). When I purchased the coral, the LFS said it was a Sinularia
BUT NOT a Finger Leather Coral. I would like to narrow down the
identification a bit further. It looks like a Blushing Finger Leather
(Cladiella) but I just don't know. Any help would be great."
<Hmmm... for the record. The taxonomy has all changed for some of the
Alcyoniids. The tall branching colt corals we knew as Cladiella were moved to
"Alcyonium" then (now) to Klyxum. Your coral as depicted appears to be
a true Sinularia but may in fact be a legitimate Cladiella>
Thanks, Onel
<best regards, Anthony>
Predatory Nudibranch - 2/11/03
Hi guys, just a quick question for you. Am I right in assuming that the white
creature shown in the photo above the cauliflower coral a Nudibranch?
<Yes... Tritonia or Tritoniopsis for example>
if so is it a species the predates on corals
<Yes... it eats soft coral like the one in the picture (soft finger leathers,
encrusting colts, Cladiella, etc)... they also breed in aquaria and seem to have
direct development (dangerous for your corals). Remove ASAP>
as I have two in my reef system that came in with the cauliflower
corals. thanks guys Paul
<A common hitchhiker on Indonesian imports... indeed, please do remove ASAP.
Anthony>
Predatory Nudibranch - 2/11/03
hi Anthony
<Howdy>
thanks for confirming my hunch about the Nudibranch .
<our pleasure>
I took both of them out when I got home from work and read your e-mail
unfortunately I lost a chunk of cauliflower but without your help it could have
been a hell of a lot worse
<no worries... all will recover easily in months>
I try and keep what hitchhikers I get but these just gave me a bad feeling
<agreed... and please be sure to try to catch these by holding all coral in a
proper QT for several weeks before entry. This predator was easy controlled in
the display... but next time you could suffer something wholly infectious. QT
everything wet! that your bring home (plants, algae, coral, fish, etc)>
thanks once again Paul
<best regards, Anthony>
Nudibranch In Danger?
Hello,
<Hey there! Scott F. here tonight>
First off, let me tell you how much I enjoy your web site. I have been into saltwater tanks for a few years now and I have received lots of great information
from your site. Thank you.
<Glad to hear that!>
Now, here is my problem: I have a 68 gallon reef tank with a wet dry filtration
system. Recently I noticed that one of my lettuce leaf Nudibranch was in my wet
dry. He seems to be doing fine down there but I want to put him back in my tank.
However I am worried about moving him. I have heard that some Nudibranchs are
toxic and I wanted to know if this particular species was one of the toxic ones
and what the safest way (if any) was to put him back into the tank.
<Good question/concern. I have not heard that this one is toxic, but I would
operate under the conservative assumption that all of Nudibranchs can be toxic.
I would simply carefully remove the animal and deposit it back into your
aquarium. No real technique here-just try not to damage the animal.>
If you have any suggestions I would appreciate them. John
<No great expertise required-just be careful! Good luck! Regards, Scott
Lucky Nudibranch find - 3/31/03
G'day Paul, <G'day mate>
Thanks for getting back to me. <No worries> I have managed to track down a
picture of my friend the slug. Without a digital camera I was trying to figure
out how to get a picture to you and then, lo and behold, I found a web site full
of pictures of sea slugs (I even found a recipe for boiled sea slug!- I guess
our different tastes and priorities are what makes people interesting)
<Especially those of us who know that the Outback steakhouse is not true
Australian food> a picture of the slug in question can be found here:
http://www.mars.dti.ne.jp/~furuse/watching/SLUG/n3.html
its name is: Stylocheilus longicaudus (Quoy & Gaimard 1824) with the cool
Japanese name of: kurosuji-amehurashi. You asked if I was sure if he was grazing
on the algae growing on the sides of the tank. He sure is, like a horse. When he
is on the front glass I can see through to his underside and his mouth is going
non-stop while he mows down the algae. You can even see the (algae free) tracks
where he has been. <Well, congrats on a very cool find. Now, before I put
this guy in my tank (if he were mine) I would just go around to various sites on
Nudibranchs, like the one above and http://www.seaslugforum.net/,
as well as a great many other sites to be found through your favorite search
engine. In any event, I would gather as much information as I can before letting
him loose in the tank. Also, send an email to David Behrens of
SeaChallengers.com. He does extensive research in the area of Nudibranchs and is
a valuable source of information. He may be able to point you in a direction.
Let him know Paul Mansur sent you and or Bob Fenner for that matter. He doesn't
live far from me and occasionally I get to see some of his presentations.
Fascinating stuff. More and more information coming out about the various
Nudibranchs all of the time.>
Thanks again for spending your time on my question. <My pleasure. Please let
me know what you find out and also how your tank does with him in there. You may
be on to a new Nudibranch that could be useful to the reef aquaria trade!
Paul.>
Jeremy.
Reef Safe Nudibranch - 3/28/03
I am very sorry I tried to look this up but either I am looking in the wrong
places or I am blind. <No problem> I just want to know if they are reef
safe. <Elysia (sometimes referred as Tridachia) crispata are known to be reef
safe. Check on the forums at the many reef sites and more importantly check out http://www.seaslugforum.net
and http://www.wetwebmedia.com/grnalgcont2.htm
Please take the time to learn about the environmental conditions and the
specific needs of this useful but delicate animal> My LFS has a real nice
looking one and I want it but don't want to loose coral. Any help is
appreciated. <No worries. Paul>
Shane
C. varians Algae Nudibranch
Hey People...how goes it?
>>Greetings, Dennis, Marina person here this morning, and it goes quite well, thanks for asking.
>I am writing to ask your opinion regarding the Nudibranch C. varians as a way to control the flat worms that are spreading like wild fire in my tank. I have a 150 reef that is littered with the little red devils. Albeit harmless they are an eyesore. Problem is that my LFS never has the
Nudibranch and I am forced to purchase them via internet and will be sent to me without a stay alive guarantee. I guess these die easily in transit; moreover,
I hear these things die easily period and have a natural short life span. How many do you think
I need to eat say 10,000 worms?
>>You've presented me with a question I haven't got ready answers for, as I'm unfamiliar. I'll do a search, but off hand I think that it would first be prudent to start with one only, see what happens. Try this article on the flatworms themselves, as there is indeed a real dearth of information on the
Nudi you're considering.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/pestflatwrmanthony.htm
>>Also, try a search (I'm assuming you've already searched our database for information on the flatworms and the C. varians) on http://www.reefs.org/library -- don't forget to search Advanced Aquarist itself, too. Best of luck to you, Marina.
Nudibranchs vs. amphipods 6/4/03
Thanks for such a great site. I've just spent a relaxing evening hunting
Nudibranchs with a wooden kabob spear.
<yikes, bub! Resist that habit. There is a thread from a chap on ReefCentral
who went into anaphylactic shock over squishing a small Nudibranch with his
finger. Any sort of molestation I the aquarium can/is likely to instigate a
noxious exudation from this categorically potent family of Mollusks- the
Opisthobranchs. Even if you are safe from their poisons, who knows what is being
released and harming the other tank inhabitants?>
They crawl/stick right on. Better fright value than renting "Alien" at
the video store. The small soft coral they were vandalizing (and came with, and
I've just learned the hard way about more adequate quarantine) looks happier for
being pest-free. Oddly enough, it fell off the rock to which it was attached
(lil scalawags ate it from the base!) and now has bloomed nicely on
the aquarium floor.
I think I nabbed them all, but predictably enough, a pack of Nudibranch eggs
scattered behind the rocks as I was eliminating their abusive parents. Is there
any hope other tank scavengers may have at them?
<many wrasse species indeed. Some angels>
I've got a nice throng of amphipods, coral-friendly snails and crabs, various
polychaetes, not-yet-plague level Aiptasia, a couple of damsels. Are they any
threat to sea slug invasion?
<no worries... the slugs are generally prey-specific. You may want to remove
that coral for a month to try to interrupt any direct development of more
slugs>
Are any tank dwellers a natural threat to them? Thanks very much.
<not as many as we would hope... getting back to their potent toxicity.
Perhaps just removal of the coral and spying for the next month for stragglers.
Best regards, Anthony>
Lettuce Nudi (8-9-03)
Hey guys,<Howdy, Cody here today.> I was wondering, I'm getting a
lettuce Nudibranch. I have 2 tangs coral hermits snails coral banded shrimp. I was
wondering, I have this algae that not even my tangs will touch, it's too thick; will
a Nudibranch be ok with these animals? I have a 75 gallon reef with a protein
skimmer and a duel bio wheel and a bunch of power heads <He should be fine,
just make sure all powerheads and intakes are covered as they have a tendency to
get sucked into them. Cody>Thanks JM
-It doesn't pay to sample a Nudi!-
I feel that I know the answer to this but, we just purchased a lettuce
Nudibranch and noticed that he had been nipped. The second day there
was a little piece of him on the substrate but he was still moving along just
fine. By the evening our Sailfin tang was dead and by the next
morning our very large yellow tang was also dead. <The two most interested in
an algae meal...> My assumption is that these are the two fish
that nipped at the Nudibranch. <Likely, the thing does look like a tasty
clump of algae.> I have removed our new addition. Is there
anything I need to do other than a water change to help protect the other fish?
<I would add new/replace activated carbon in the tank and do a small water
change for good measure.> As I mentioned, the Nudibranch was still
alive. Thanks for your help. <Good luck! -Kevin> KatMcD
Nudibranch assistance
Thanks for great website. <Thank you Chris for the compliment, MacL here with
you tonight>
I found few opisthobranchs on my reef they were around my expensive blue zoos
and pink zoos I removed 3 of them yesterday night but is there any better way
than wait for them to show up and catch them? <Youch that's a big problem.
Honestly I have heard there are traps but I've never seen any that truly work
other than just pulling them off. Also I have friends who isolate their zoos to
try to catch them. Usually they show up more at night so with a flashlight
and/or with a red-light?>
One of them were on my orange zoos and it's some tassels color was orange I am
sure it is eating my zoos (Some reason starting 3 weeks ago all of my zoos are
not doing good (all other corals are ok) I could not figure out why but now I
know...) <They can be terrible problems. let me also recommend you look on
www.seaslugforum.com>
Since my camera is not so good it looks like this
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nudifaqs.htm
Nudibranch id 6/11/03
Thanks
Chris Kim
Brittle star eating Nudibranchs
Mr. Blundell,
<< Please no Mr. Just Blundell, or Adam or hey you >>
While I am thankful for your advice & experience, I
have to inform you that I have caught my culprit in
the act of attempted lettucide-- it was my spiny
brittle star.
<< Seriously? Really? >>
I was watching my remaining Nudibranch on one of the
live rocks, & noticed that he was inching his way
closer toward the brittle star. I allowed this for a
few minutes to see what would unfold. The brittle
star's arms were feeling around the Nudibranchs
general vicinity, & at 1st I didn't think anything
would happen because when he touched the Nudibranch it
would seemingly recoil away. Despite this, however,
his arms kept returning & touching the Nudibranch.
<< Not too surprising, but if ends up eating him I'll be surprised. I'm reading
your email with suspense. >>
I was then distracted by the phone, & left the tank
for only a minute, but then I returned, the brittle
was all over the Nudibranch. He had pulled it down
from where it was munching algae, & had completed
wrapped his arms all around it. << Well that indeed sounds like he is eating
them. >> I was able to remove
the brittle from the Nudibranch, & although it had
secreted a large amount of mucous, seemed more or less
alright. I temporarily relocated him to my refugium,
where he did fine for the night & following day.
<< That is surprising, after being munched on. >>
The following day, I traded in my brittle for a new
Nudibranch. Even my LFS was surprised, but not too
much so. My thinking is that brittles are scavengers,
& scavengers are typically opportunists in nature &
cannot pass up an easily caught meal.
<< True, but Nudibranch aren't the most tasty food for them. >>
I'm also thinking that Crispata, not being true
Nudibranchs, may not have the same toxicity as true
Nudibranchs. << Could be so. >> They seem to have more of a camouflage
coloration than the bright, "leave me alone, I'm
toxic!" warning colors as well.
<< True. Want to sound smart. We call those "aposomatic" colors. Use that in
a sentence with your friends and you'll sound really smart.... or really nerdy.
>>
Thank you anyway for your response, & I hope that you
can benefit from my experience as I most certainly
have from WWM Crew's as well. << Indeed, I know what to answer next time I
receive this same question. Thanks for your input. >>
Take Care,
Pete
<< Blundell >>
> My 1st suspect is the brittle star-- I'm thinking
> that
> with his long searching arms it may have come across
> it & probably could have caught it pretty easily. I
> don't think this guy is actively predacious, but
> could
> be opportunistic? << Doubtful. I wouldn't think of
> him as the problem. >>
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