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FAQs about Nudibranch Identification 3
Related Articles: Nudibranchs, Sea
Slugs,
Related FAQs:
Nudi ID 1, Nudi ID 2,
Nudi ID 4, & Nudibranchs 1,
Nudibranchs 2,
Berghia Nudibranchs,
Nudibranch Behavior,
Nudibranch Compatibility,
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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Nudibranch ID: Bornella sp. –
1/28/08
Can you ID this type of Nudi?
<I sure hope so! Please see follow-up email for reply. –Lynn>
Re: Nudibranch ID: Bornella sp. –
1/28/08
Hey there at WWM...
<Hey there, Mitch!>
I sent a picture email from my cell phone earlier.....
<Yes, thanks, I saw it. Terrific photo considering it’s from a cell
phone!>
It was of a Nudi/sea slug that I have no clue on.... didn't know if you
could tell me or even take a guess on the genus?
<I believe it’s Bornella stellifer, and according to Bill Rudman of
SeaSlugForum.net, is a common Indo-West Pacific species that feeds on
hydroids. Please see this link for more information:
http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=bornstel .>
Thanks a lot
Mitch
<You’re very welcome! Take care –Lynn> |
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Re: New
marine tank with surprise critter - Nudibranch? Update: 1/18/08
Hi Lynn,
<Hi Richard! How’s my friend from “Down Under” doing?>
Thanks very much for the helpful links!
<You’re very welcome!>
I finally managed to get a (halfway) decent picture, only he seems to
have lost the markings on his back now! I guess they were just bits of
'rubbish'.
<Heeeee! No more smiley face, huh? Alright, well this is going to sound
a little odd, but the next time you see this little critter, gently poke
at it and try to determine if it’s entirely fleshy/soft, or if it feels
like there’s something hard right under the surface tissue. I just want
to rule out something like a cowry. When they pull their mantle
completely up around their shell, they can look somewhat like a sea
slug. That would account for the teardrop shape and even the white
“smiley” spots. I just can’t tell in the photo if/how much your little
critter is domed along the back. Naturally, I’ve got some links for you
to check out! The first species isn’t from Australia, but there are
others from this genus in your area (that look very similar). Check out
the mantle and spots beneath. If the mantle on your critter wasn't
completely together at the top (the first time you saw it), you could
have seen some spots.
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/cowries/comma.htm
http://www.divegallery.com/cowry_cribraria.htm
Here’s one of the species from Australia that’s a little darker, has
fewer spots, and isn’t all that highly domed. It doesn’t show the mantle
– just wanted you to see the profile.
http://www.gastropods.com/4/Shell_39544.html
If we rule these possibilities out, and it is indeed a slug of some
sort, then your best chance for an ID is going to require a detailed,
close-up photo. If you’re able to get this, I’d be glad to take a look
at it and see if I can figure out what it is. Even better, though, would
be to send the photo(s) on to Bill Rudman at the Sea Slug Forum. Here’s
the link to an instruction page for sending inquiries:
http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=sendmess
By the way, if you contact the SSF and find out what this little
creature is, please send us a follow-up and let us know! Thanks!>
Cheers again,
Richard
<Cheers to you too! Take care –Lynn> |
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Tiny Sea Slug
ID? Aeolid Nudibranch, Possibly Phyllodesmium briareum 12/28/2007
Hello WWM,
<Hello Jesse, Mich here apologizing for the very delayed response.>
I have a tiny sea slug (3mm)
<Really 3mm? Do you mean 3cm?>
that came off of live rock I guess.
<Perhaps or maybe a recently introduced coral.>
I have not seen it eat.
<I'm not surprised, perhaps if you had some Pachyclavularia or
Briareum...>
I would like it to grow.
<This will likely be difficult if not impossible. They are typical
obligate corallivorous>
Do you have any idea what type?
<Looks like an Aeolid Nudibranch to me, possibly Phyllodesmium briareum.
More here:
http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=phylbria
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nudispt3.htm
What it eats?
<Generally soft corals, in this case I would guess perhaps
GSP/Briarium.>
Attached is a picture of it, belly side on glass.
<Thank you for the pictures. Most always helpful.>
Thank you,
<Welcome! Mich>
Jesse |
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Re:
Tiny Sea Slug ID? Aeolid Nudibranch, Possibly Phyllodesmium
briareum... maybe Berghia? 12/30/2007
Thanks for the reply Mich,
<Welcome Jesse!>
Yes it is tiny, 3mm.
<Wow! Barely measurable! Your pictures are quite good,
especially considering how small your subject is!>
Here is a pick next to what I think is a green Acro coral. My
coral ID is also not very good.
<This small size reminds me of a Berghia... Do you have any
Aiptasia in your tank? You might want to see if this Nudi has
any interest in them... or perhaps a friend with some aiptasia?
Nudis can be quite difficult to ID, and this small size makes it
harder... Something to consider here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i3/aiptasia_impressions/aiptaisia_impressions.htm
Cheers,
Mich> |
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Possible
Nudibranch Eggs... Elysia Spp. Eggs 11/26/07
Hello once again crew.
<Hello Chris, Mich with you again.>
Chris here looking for a little education.
<Mich here seeking the same.>
I am attaching a picture of what I think may be Lettuce Nudibranch eggs.
<It sure does look like it!>
I looked through the site, read a lot of descriptions and saw a few
pictures, but I am not totally sure at this point.
<Yes, this is what you have. You can see similar photos and find more
info here:
http://www.seaslugforum.net/display.cfm?id=15227
http://www.seaslugforum.net/display.cfm?id=11846
http://www.seaslugforum.net/display.cfm?id=3090
http://www.seaslugforum.net/display.cfm?id=3174 >
If I missed something obvious I apologize.
<No worries.>
But in true Army fashion, I will always provide a solution to my problem
when I ask a question and then look for guidance from you.
<Interesting philosophy.
Cheers, Mich> |
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Please Help
With ID of This Nudibranch... Glaucus atlanticus 11/26/2007
Hi there,
<Hello, Mich here.>
I came across this same species of Nudibranch of the coast of Kenya.
<Lucky you! It is beautiful!>
This isn't the picture I took, but managed to find it on the net.
<OK.>
I would be grateful if you could give me the common name, if possible.
<Is a Glaucus atlanticus. Some common names include The Blue sea slug,
Blue ocean slug, Blue dragon, Sea lizard and Butterfly Winged Sea
Swallow. More here:
http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=glauatla
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glaucus_atlanticus >
Look forward to hearing from you soon, thanks in advance, Zeeyad
<Welcome, Mich>
Re: Please Help With ID of This
Nudibranch... Glaucus atlanticus 11/29/2007
Thanks so much for your reply...
<You're welcome Zeeyad.>
it finally cleared the 1 1/2yr old 'alien from outer space' comments
I've been getting from people I've shown the picture to.
<Heehee! Is a beauty. Does look otherworldly! Neat that you saw it. This
Nudi generally feeds on "Portuguese man-of-war" (Physalia spp.) and
incorporate their toxins, so if you ever see it again, don't touch it.
This Nudi can deliver a powerful painful sting!>
Keep up the great work :-D
<Will try! Mich> |
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Hitchhiker on Organ Pipe Coral ID
Phyllodesmium colemani 11/22/07
I have recently bought an organ pipe coral and it wasn’t until I got
it home that I noticed what appears to be a hitchhiker.
<Sure looks that way!>
I have absolutely no idea what it is and hope that someone here can let
me know.
<It is an Aeolid Nudibranch and likely predatory on your pipe organ
coral... Doing more looking I'm fairly certain this is a Phyllodesmium
colemani, which feeds exclusively on Tubipora musica. More here:
http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=phylcole >
I have attached a picture. You can clearly see "whatever it is" in
amongst the red coral tubes.
<Yes, I see.>
Many thanks in advance.
<Welcome! Mich> |
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Nice pic and good ID. RMF. |
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? 10/12/07
Crew,
<Hi Russ>
First, thank you all for the wealth of knowledge and information you
have provided, which has greatly helped me begin my first marine
aquarium. <Terrific – always good to hear!> Second, I have attached a
pic of a critter I found in my tank today. <I see> I believe it may be a
nudibranch, but I am not certain. <Understandable> I have read
through/searched your site and seaslugforum.net, but I have not been
able to make a positive ID yet. <Unfortunately, you may not be able to –
can be quite a challenge (need to know place of origin, there are many
species involved, coloration/pattern can vary, mimicry sometimes
involved, etc).>
I noticed this guy as he was balled up tumbling through the water, being
carried by a current. I can only assume this may be his form of
'high-speed' travel? <Wheee!> Anyway, it is not nearly as exotic as many
of the nudibranch photos I have seen, but the lack of any shell and the
presence of what I believe to be rhinophores makes me think it is a
nudibranch.
<Does appear so, though some flatworms have similar.>
Again, I saw him just 'riding the current', <Ha - Powerhead surfing!> so
there is nothing to lead me to what his diet may consist of, or if he
may be dangerous to any corals I may add in the future. <Yes, it's much
better to find him surfing today, than half-way up your favorite coral
tomorrow!> Please let me know what you think, as I would like to place
him back in the display tank, as long as he wont eat my corals and
poison everything when he dies!
<Well Russ, after looking through what feels like a zillion photos, I’m
not absolutely sure what it is either - but I know I’m going to be
dreaming about these guys tonight! In order to narrow things down a bit
more, I’d need a close up image to see the head area/apparent
rhinophores, as well as the dorsal surface of the body to see the
anatomy/texture, etc. From what I've seen, I think it’s likely either a
Dorid nudibranch, or a Polyclad flatworm. Unfortunately, that’s about as
specific as I can get. What’s important is that if it is indeed one of
those two, both are predatory/have specific diets, and I would not put
it back in the tank. It falls under the category of "When in doubt,
leave it out.". Please see here for more info regarding:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nudibran.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/flatworms.htm
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-09/rs/index.php
I know you’ve already been to the seaslug forum, but here’s the link to
the species page:
http://www.seaslugforum.net/specieslist.cfm>
Thanks, Russ
<You’re very welcome! Take care -Lynn> |
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