Stowaway Nudibranch, Xeniid pred.  04/20/09 Hi crew :D I recently bought a lovely colony of red sea xenia which was home to a Phyllodesmium hyalinum - the little Nudibranch fell off the colony when it was knocked off the rock work. While this may sound a bit sad I know, the little guy is rather lovely and although I have no wish for it to snaffle my xenia I'd like to know if I can help it to survive, short of putting it back on the xenia colony... <If it is indeed a Xenia eating Nudibranch, chances are that it needs to eat Xenia in order to survive. However, you might be able to feed it any kind of Xenia. Thus, you might be able to set up a little biotope for it and just feed it xenia frags (if you can find such for cheap). The other option, you could ask your fellow reef aquarists if they have excess Xenia (many reef keepers do-- some even consider the coral a pest at some point).> after all, I did purchase the animal albeit accidentally! <I do sympathize, appreciate your sentiment here. I recall a friend of mine who fell so much in love with two beautiful Nudibranchs that hitchhiked on his sun corals, that he forgot about the sun coral and did everything he could to keep the slugs alive by buying dying sun corals from LFSs, just to feed them. Of course, I don't recommend this per se, but I do sympathize with any such love for Nudibranchs. I've also had them as hitch-hikers and always wished I could keep them. However, do know that these animals don't usually live that long (even in the wild).> Will the Nudibranch ultimately cause the death of the xenia, or will its feeding habits do little more than limit the size of the colony? <Well, firstly, please do send in a pic so that we can confirm that this is a Xenia eating Nudibranch. Secondly, *one* Nudibranch on a large, fast-growing Xenia colony, might not destroy the colony, but as you say, just keep it "mowed" a bit. The trouble is that the Nudibranch could likely reproduce. Within a short time, you might not just be dealing with one Nudibranch, but many many Nudibranchs... who would likely destroy the colony eventually.> Many thanks, Carolyn <De nada, Sara M.> Re: stowaway Nudibranch 04/21/09 Hi Sara, Many thanks for the reply - have attached a picture of the little guy. <Wow, great pic! May I ask, what camera did you use? The slug does look like a Phyllodesmium hyalinum. Please see here: http://www.seaslugforum.net/display.cfm?id=13207 You might even want to write in to this site with your story/pics, since it is noted to be very difficult to find/see in the wild. Thus, maybe Bill Rudman would get a kick out of seeing yours (or at least confirm the ID).> Carolyn <Cheers, Sara M.>

Re: Finger Leather 04/11/09 Sara M., The finger leather mentioned below did continue to show signs of spreading. We fragged off the bad parts. During the night hours, we discovered what was causing the damage. Attached is a picture. <Uh oh, looks like trouble!> Can you confirm that it is a Tritoniopsis? <I'm no Nudibranch expert, but based on the look of the thing (and where you found it), I would certainly feel safe assuming that that's what this is. Especially after reading the info here: http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=Triteleg> We believe that the circle design in the first picture sent was possibly the eggs from this Nudibranch. There are similar pictures on the Sea Slug forum. Would you agree with our assumption? <Yes... now the real question, how will you get rid of them? I would suggest quarantining the coral for starters.>Thanks again. Cindy <De nada, Sara M.>

Nice pic! RMF

Finger Leather 04/11/09 Forgot to ask, should we worry about any of these other corals we have in our tank? We have read that it typically eats soft corals. Sun Coral Acropora Mushrooms Tridacna Crocea Blue Spruce Caulastrea <Most coral eating Nudibranchs are very picky eaters. Most will only eat a few species or genera of coral (some are even specific to just one species!). As far as I know the Tritoniopsis elegans Nudibranch only feeds on Lobophyton sp. So your other corals should be safe from them.> Thanks. <Thanks for sharing the pics. Cheers, Sara M.>

Berghia Nudibranch Question – 10/08/08
Hello,
<Hi Nick.>
I have been searching the web for days trying to determine whether or not Berghia Nudibranch will be toxic to my tank if/ when they die off. I have some Aiptasia which came in on some live rock I recently purchased. I'd say there is less then 100 that I can see, although some are large.
Some info on my tank to give you a better idea of what I am dealing with: My tank is 90 gallons with a 40 gallon sump. I am currently running Phosban in a Phosban reactor and COULD switch to carbon to help remove any toxins the Berghia would give off. I also have an Octopus recirculating skimmer. I only have 2 Chromis and a couple hermit crabs at the moment. The tank is a month and a half old. There are lot's of pods crawling around the rocks.
I want to take care of the Aiptasia without killing any of the other life in the rocks (sponges, worms, pods). I am just concerned that when the Berghia die off they will potentially poison the tank.
<Those Nudibranchs referred to in the hobby (and older scientific literature as well) as “Berghia” (actually they are a different genus and species) are non-toxic to your tank, even if they die. They have a life expectancy of at least 6 months. Are you concerned that they might starve to death when all the Aiptasia are eliminated? That should not be a problem, when they are short of Aiptasia they become quite active at night and if you are a little bit nocturnal too you should be able to collect them and give them to other hobbyists. Remember to breed them in separate small canisters before adding them into the display tank. Skimmers, mechanical filters and filter feeders remove most of their planktonic larvae and make it hard for them to multiply in a standard marine tank. I’d buy 3 and breed at least 15 to solve your Aiptasia problem. Also see here http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_1/cav1i3/aiptasia_impressions/aiptaisia_impressions.htm and http://www.wetwebmedia.com/aiptasiaantoine.htm .>
Thanks for your help, Nick.
<Welcome. Cheers, Marco.>

Hypselodoris bullocki- one inch 07/20/2008
Hi I just want to know if this little guy could kill my 3 rays if he dies I have a 150 gallon ray tank( a back up 300 gallon for when they get bigger). And like all the other LFS they said Hypselodoris bullocki eats algae, (my fault I should know better to buy and not research) so if for some reason he dies, will it kill the rays? I have the fluval FX5 filter and a 36x12x18 wet/dry filter. Will I be ok if I get him out as soon as he dies? I really hope he won't because he is beautiful. But just in case? I would bring him back but the LFS but it is an hour away.
Thank you
Michelle
<<Yes, these will release toxins into the tank upon death, how much damage? Well, that all depends on how bug the Nudi is when / if it dies and how big / healthy the rays are. Personally, I would remove it. Thanks. A Nixon>>

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.>

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>

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