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FAQs about Nudibranch Identification 4
Related Articles: Nudibranchs, Sea
Slugs,
Related FAQs:
Nudi ID 1, Nudi ID 2,
Nudi ID 3, & 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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Nudi? Possible Sea Slug –
5/3/08
Hi guys
<Hi Ian, Lynn here this morning.>
I think I saw a Nudibranch but not sure. It was highlighted on the front glass
panel otherwise would never have noticed. It was a tiny yellowish worm looking
slug which was about 10mm in length and 2mm wide. It was moving like a Nudi and
had two little feelers on its head.
<It does sound like a sea slug of some sort.>
Please help me to ID this and if a Nudibranch could it be a pest?
<Sorry, Ian, but without a good photo I can’t even begin to narrow down the
search. As far as it being a possible pest, it’s undoubtedly a pest to
something, but what I have no clue. A lot of these guys are obligate feeders,
feeding on one specific food item and that’s it. Once that food source
disappears, so do they. Have you noticed any damage to your resident
corals/cnidarians (if you have any)? If not, chances are good that this little
slug isn’t too much cause for concern. You may see it out an about for a bit and
then no more.>
I have not recently introduced anything into the tank but at this size it could
have been around for a long time without being noticed.
<Many are nocturnal but can be seen in systems during the day when they’re
running out of food. Also, some are cryptically colored/adorned so that they
blend in unbelievably well with their surroundings - which in quite a few cases
is what they eat!>
Your help is appreciated.
<You’re very welcome, Ian. For more information and help in narrowing down the
possibilities, please see the following links (as well as the highlighted links
at the tops of the WWM pages):
Sea Slugs: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seaslugsopisthobranchs.htm
Nudibranchs: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nudibran.htm
Sea Slug Forum: http://www.seaslugforum.net/ >
Cheers
Ian
<Good luck! Take care, -Lynn>
Re: Nudi? Possible Sea Slug – 5/3/08
Hi Lynn
<Hi Ian>
Thanks for your prompt response. Will check out the web pages you sent.
<Sounds good. What you want to do is look for shared traits in the species of
sea slugs/Nudibranchs shown at the WWM links I provided. That should help you
narrow the search to family level. After that, go to the Sea Slug Forum and
compare each individual species listed under that family. It can be tedious and
time consuming, but ultimately rewarding! Here’s a quick link to the SSF species
list: http://www.seaslugforum.net/specieslist.cfm >
Cheers for now
Ian
<Take care and let me know if you’re able to ID that little fellow! –Lynn)>
Nudibranch ID
(follow up) 4/3/08
Hi Crew,
<Hi Steve, Mich here.>
After another night of searching your site (and links to
www.seaslugforum.net) I think I have identified a hitchhiker that came
on a soft coral I purchased today. I believe that I have the same
unwelcome guest that another reader named Arthur submitted.
<A link is always helpful...>
As your article requested from him I have captured and photo'd this
critter and thought I would forward the pics for your use. I am happy
for these to be reproduced at your will.
<Thank you for sharing.>
I think it is a member of the
Order: NUDIBRANCHIA Suborder: DENDRONOTINA Family: Tritoniidae
but welcome your opinion.
<Mmm, I'm not so sure, the description of the lateral lines appear
different than you specimen. It's close but I'm not certain this is an
accurate ID to the genus level. I would keep looking.>
Following your answers to the other viewer I am pretty certain that this
came attached to its' lunch ;)
<Often the case.>
so I have removed and isolated it (unfortunately the only thing I can
think of is it to humanely kill it ?).
<Mmm, I hate to recommend euthanasia. Though I don't have any great
suggestions either. Most Nudibranchs are very difficult to keep in
captivity because of their highly specialized diet and I'm not sure how
much of your coral you're willing to sacrifice. I'm sorry, is a tough
place to be. I'm sorry.>
Regards
Steve Heath
<And to you,
Mich> |
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I’m clueless
- ID needed: Egg Ribbon – 3/18/08
Hello!
<Hi there, Sonny!>
Hope you can help me to identify this creature.
<Sure hope so!>
I set up a nano reef tank about 7 month ago. I am into the hobby about 9
years now. All my water parameters (including Mg, Ca, Sr..etc..) are
close to perfect. I keep my temperature at 78-80 degrees. 15-17 lbs of
live rock, 20 lbs of aragonite, Marineland C-160 canister, Hydor Koralia
Nano powerhead, AquaC Remora Nano skimmer with MJ 900. Current Satellite
light system, 1 dual actinic and 1 dual daylight, 40 W each, 80 Watts
all together, set up with a timer. Only 8 hours daylight. 1 small colt
coral, 1 green eyed and 1 yellow polyps, trumpet coral. 1 six line
wrasse, about a dozen hermits, about the same amounts of assorted
snails. 1 sand shifter <Sifter?> star, 1 red thorny star,
<Uh-oh, these two stars need much, much, more room in order to survive.
They will not make it in a small tank.>
..and 1 cleaner shrimp. Very happy and healthy environment. Yesterday I
noticed something on one of my live rock, something I never seen before.
If you look at the picture the creature is right above my fish, and it
looks like a target.
<Nice photo!>
Round shaped, and has circles inside.. The color is kinda clear
whitish...Please help me identify this new critter for me!
<Hmmm, it looks like an egg ribbon, possibly left by a Nudibranch or
snail. No worries, these things pop up from time to time and usually
disappear within a few days - as food for the system’s inhabitants!
Please see these links for examples of Nudibranch egg ribbons:
http://www.seaslugforum.net/display.cfm?id=1128
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nudireprofaqs.htm>
Your help is truly appreciated, Sonny
<You're very welcome! Take care, -Lynn>
Re: I’m clueless - ID needed: Egg
Ribbon – 3/18/08
Thank you very much Lynn!
<You're very welcome, Sonny!>
I forgot to mention this is a 10G tank.
<Yep, I had a feeling it was when you mentioned the light fixture, but
didn’t want to assume.>
I also forgot that I just introduced a lettuce Nudibranch (beautiful
creature, I never had one before) about a week ago, so I suppose he's
the source of those eggs.
<You got it!>
The sand sifter looks very happy, I don't see him too much though.
<Unfortunately, these need a large area of mature DSB to survive.>
The red thorny star is not the African red knob sea star, but I'm sure
you knew that.
<Well, I wasn’t sure if it was Protoreaster lincki or Echinaster
echinophorus, but unfortunately, neither is suitable for this size
tank.>
When I purchased him (I bought him and the Nudibranch at the same time)
they told me they won't grow bigger than 3-4 inches.
<Yes, although I’ve read differing reports on their size (ranging from
4-8”). Most say it’s around 4”, so I’d be more inclined to go with that
number.>
Should I take him back?
<Yes, actually I’d take both of those stars back. They’ll starve to
death in such a small system.>
He seems healthy. My only concern is that ever since I introduced him to
my tank, he's not moving a lot. Looks like he settled down on one of my
live rock, and he's been there ever since. I see him moving his
tentacles and arms, but he just "sits" there. I don't know.. He's
beautiful bright red and orange color.. Any thoughts?
<Yep, if he’s been in the same place for a week, that’s not good. Even
if he was doing well though, I would still recommend taking him back.>
My heavenly Nudibranch is all over the place, grazing for algaes all
day. Actually I don't have too much of nuisance algaes of any kind
anymore, is there any supplement I can use if unfortunately ( I can
believe I said that:-) I run out of algaes?
<Hmmm, you could try Nori, but I’m not too confident that it will be
eaten. These sea slugs are nothing if not picky little eaters! They tend
to like one particular algae and that’s it. Some like Bryopsis, others
eat Caulerpa, etc. Sadly, they’re usually short-lived in aquariums.>
Again, thank you very much for the infos and those great articles, I
think you made my night much better.
<You’re very welcome. I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news about the
stars, but they really do need to be in a much larger system.>
If you have chance Lynn, please let Anthony know that He rule the
saltwater world.. By any means, He is the greatest.
<Hey, what about Bob! I say he’s the greatest! :-) Sorry, but I can't
help being partial. LOL I just couldn't let that go without saying
something! I’ve never met Anthony Calfo but he does seem like a terrific
guy – knowledgeable, funny and kind. I’m hoping to meet him at IMAC in
May. At that time, I would be most happy to relay your message!>
Thank you Lynn, good night
<You’re most welcome, Sonny. Goodnight to you too, -Lynn> |
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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>
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Two Crabs and a White
Nudibranch? 2/24/08
Hello crew!
<Hi there!>
I've attached a few pics of life (and former life) that I cannot
identify. Whilst my intent was not malicious, the two crabs did not
survive the extraction.
<Unfortunate, but understandable - can be difficult to remove!>
As you can see, one is missing several appendages. <Yep> I would've left
them alone if my scarlet hermits were not being ripped to pieces at
night <Yikes!> and if I hadn't read Calfo's opinion that crabs should be
removed.
<They can indeed be very destructive.>
So, right or wrong, they are out and no longer alive. For the sake of
learning and not repeating a mistake if they were harmless, can these be
identified from the pictures I've provided?
<They appear to be in the superfamily Xanthoidea. The hairy crab looks
like it might be in the family Pilumnidae while the other could be in
one of several different families. No matter, this group of crabs can be
very destructive and I would have recommended their removal. Please see
these links (and those within at WWM) for more information and photos
for comparison:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/arthropoda/crabs/swcrabs.htm
http://www.nhm.org/guana/bvi-invt/bvi-surv/crab-g06.htm>
Also, there is a small interesting white (Nudibranch?) life form in my
tank. Pictures also attached. Ideas about ID?
<Unfortunately there are just too many possibilities. I can tell you,
however, that due to their specialized diets, these little guys do not
usually survive long term in most systems. Please see the following
links, especially the section at the bottom of the first regarding
issues associated with Nudibranchs:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nudispt3.htm
http://www.seaslugforum.net/ >
Thanks so much.
<You're very welcome! Take care, -Lynn> |
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Nudibranch... ID, Behavior
2/23/08
Hi,
<Hello Tina, Mich here.>
I found a critter in my tank. At first I thought a piece of my pulsating xenia
had broke off and stuck on the tank glass. Later I noticed it had
moved.
<Just as an FYI, Xenia can move... just very, very slowly.>
Immediately I captured it and placed in a glass tumbler. It was sliding about
the tumbler like a slug so as you do I went on your web site to ID my
critter.
<Excellent.>
I have come to the conclusion it is a Nudibranch (Bornella calcarata) was the
picture that matched mine the most as listed on page 2 Nudibranch).
<Nudibranchs be a challenge to ID, even for some of the most experienced...
Please see here heehee! http://www.seaslugforum.net/display.cfm?id=8163 >
But before get rid of this coral-eating critter
<Often are but not always, but their diets are usually very specific, and
typically difficult if not impossible to provide in captivity.>
I would like clarification of what it is as all of a sudden it stopped sliding
around the tumbler, it's body turned flat and double its normal width and
started to swim i.e. it's body kept bending in half and straighten again sort of
flapping kind of like a caterpillar movement and it was swimming quite fast.
<Nudibranchs can swim. Here is some video of a Spanish Dancer (Hexabranchus
sanguineus)
http://www.oceanfootage.com/stockfootage/Spanish_Dancer/owner%3Dkandykendall >
I read on Nudibranch behaviour but this wasn't mentioned. I don't want to get
rid of it if it is going to do no harm.
<Really depends on what it is, a picture could help with identification, but I'm
sad to say it will likely face an untimely death in captivity due to lack of
nutritional resources.>
Look forward for your reply
Tina .x
<Cheers, Mich>
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LR Hitchhiker: Sea
Slug or Flatworm - 2/12/08
Hey WWM, (great site!)
<Hey Bill, thanks!>
Today, my roommate and I were upgrading from our 28g reef tank to a nice
46g bowfront.
<Nice!>
As I was moving the live rock from the 28g, I noticed a very small
critter crawling on the glass.
<How small/what size?>
It looks like a slug of sorts, two antennas, slug like body, with very
small bright neon green things running down it's back.
<What kind of “things” - stripes, bumps, ruffled/finger-like projections
(cerata), etc?>
I was amazed to find yet ANOTHER critter to appear, and in turn, it
brought me directly
to my computer in search of an answer.
Any help would be much appreciated.
<Hmmmm, it does sound like a sea slug or flatworm of some sort but
without a photo, that’s about as close as I can get to an ID. Most of
these guys are obligate feeders that hitchhike into our tanks, survive
until the food source is gone, then die out. Unless you have a
tremendous number of these, or are seeing some damage, I’d leave them
and enjoy them for as long as they’re around. Please see WWM for more
information, comparison:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seaslugsopisthobranchs.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nudibran.htm >
Thanks
Bill
<You’re very welcome! Take care, -Lynn>
Re: LR Hitchhiker:
Sea Slug or Flatworm - 2/12/08
<Hi Bill!>
Thanks, for that great info,
<You're very welcome.>
it appears to be very similar to Flabellina exoptata, which I found
through your link.
<Great.>
I would say, it was about a centimeter long with finger like projections
running down it's back, just like you asked. However, the colors weren't
like anything I saw in those pictures. Maybe it varies coloring as it
ages.
<Color can vary quite a bit with sea slugs. I’m not sure whether it
varies with age, but it’s possible. I know they vary according to
region, diet, whether they’ve just fed, or are starving, etc. It’s
entirely possible, though, that your little sea slugs could be another
species within the genus Flabellina, or in the same family,
Flabellinidae. There’s a lot of red, orange, and violet in that family,
but not much green, however. I did find one (Tularia bractea) that had
green cerata. Here’s the link for you to compare:
http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=tulabrac
Also, here’s the species page for the Sea Slug Forum. This is a terrific
site. If you have the time (and T. bractea isn’t the right species), you
can look through, and compare the others listed:
http://www.seaslugforum.net/specieslist.cfm .>
Thanks again, and I'm sure you guys appreciate proper spelling and
punctuation. ;)
<Heheeee! Yes, we do, and thank you! Take care, -Lynn> |
Sea Slug ID
2/11/08
<Hi Victor>
Greetings to all. In reference to the E-Mail below, I managed to
photograph the slugs so that you can confirm your ID or make a
correction on your analysis. I isolated the slugs in another tank with a
coral shrimp and the latter acts like they don't exist which to me seems
unusual since these shrimps will attack practically anything they could
get there claws on. I also removed the eggs from my tank and I placed
one string of eggs with the shrimp, immediately he went for the eggs but
as soon as he touched them he jumped back as if he was hit by an
electrical shock. I can only assume that the eggs have some kind of
protective toxin to ensure their development. Another observation is
prior to removing the slugs one of them was attached to an anemone and
as a result the same is in very poor condition, my conclusion is that it
was being eaten by the slug and in the process toxin was deposited on
the anemone resulting the condition mentioned previously. Also I noticed
that when
I touched the slugs the strands on their back would instantly spring up
like a porcupine.
Well I hope these photos will assist you further in identifying this
species. Hoping to hear from you soon and once again thanking you in
advance and also I would like to mention that your dedication to your
profession is truly admirable and deeply appreciated by many around the
world.
<Your Sea Slug appears to be a Pteraeolidia ianthina, commonly found in
the Lembeh Straits, North Sulawesi and Indonesia. This should help you
do further research on the animal. James (Salty Dog)> |
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