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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, | %20HH%20on%20organ%20pipe.JPG)
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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 | 
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> |
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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