Is this thing eating my coral? (pics)

steve671 · 05/11/2007, 10:08 AM

I have noticed over the past few days that my red/ purple coral was slowly dieing. This moring I saw these two slug like creatures on the coral. When I turned the lights on, they started to take off, but I grabbed the coral and took it out before they could escape.
Any idea what these are? and do you think that they may be eating the coral?
Thanks

alan214 · 05/11/2007, 10:34 AM

Based on your pics, I'd have to say yes, it does appear to be eating your coral. Else that or the coral was dying and this nudibranch or whatever is just cleaning up the mess.

tigerarmy40 · 05/11/2007, 10:37 AM

wow! ive never seen those before...you know what they say "when in dought take it out"

pmvalenti · 05/11/2007, 10:52 AM

i would say they are eating your coral, i also haven't seen them before

skeeter-doc · 05/11/2007, 10:57 AM

yes I would quickly remove it next time you see it!

steve671 · 05/11/2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by alan214
Else that or the coral was dying and this nudibranch or whatever is just cleaning up the mess.

Thanks for the input. I was thinking the same possibility.

I'm still searching the web in an attemp to positively id this thing. If I cannot, they will meet their demise.

They are already out of the tank. I was able to grab the coral with them on it before they scurried off.

DiazE · 05/11/2007, 11:15 AM

Check it out at TheSeaSlugForum website, they might provide a picture for ID. It sure helped me on an Id for a Calerpa eating slug (actually 5) found on my TBS LR.

gig · 05/11/2007, 11:24 AM

go to Wetwebmedia.com and ask Bob Fenner, send him an email of the pics, or the link to this thread.

GuOD · 05/11/2007, 11:29 AM

that thing looks awesome. like an anemone slug

Travis L. Stevens · 05/11/2007, 11:31 AM

It looks to be an Aeolid nudibranch of some type. These are obligatory specialized eaters. They will only eat one type of thing, and it is usually cnidarian tissue. It is definitely eating your coral. I would remove it ASAP!

steve671 · 05/11/2007, 12:02 PM

I have searched through about 100 photos so far on those sites, thanks.
This is the best match I could find. It has longer tentacles though.
Species: Phyllodesmium briareum

Travis L. Stevens · 05/11/2007, 12:28 PM

I believe that the Phyllodesmium briareum isn't what you have. I think they eat star polyps

LobsterOfJustice · 05/11/2007, 12:32 PM

Most definantly eating your coral. There are a ton of different kinds of nudiabranchs, and each type will eat a different type of coral, sponge, etc. I wouldnt worry about a positive species ID... just remove them.

Look out for more, and look for eggs as well.

steve671 · 05/11/2007, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Travis L. Stevens
It looks to be an Aeolid nudibranch of some type.

Different color, but body is the same.
Phestilla melanobrachia
http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=phesmela

I also found this article http://www.springerlink.com/content/n60np2ca6ylqhva8/

DiazE · 05/11/2007, 12:59 PM

Glad to see you found the info, very awesome site. There's info on Sea Hares too.

LeslieH · 05/11/2007, 01:02 PM

I do think Phestilla is right but perhaps lugubris or species 1 rather than melanobrachia.

http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=pheslugu
http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=phessp1

steve671 · 05/11/2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LeslieH
I do think Phestilla is right but perhaps lugubris or species 1 rather than melanobrachia.

http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=phessp1

I believe you are correct, looks like a match to me.
Thanks

reefshadow · 05/11/2007, 01:14 PM

Just like Lobster said, don't worry about a positive ID. Good thing you grabbed them out, don't put them back! It is unlikely they will prey on other corals unless they are the same type, but you never know. (that coral doesn't look like gonipora, though the nudi does look like Phestilla 1)

Very rarely are slugs and nudis something to be desired, with only a couple exceptions that I can think of.

steve671 · 05/11/2007, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by reefshadow

Very rarely are slugs and nudis something to be desired, with only a couple exceptions that I can think of.

I agree, this must have been a hichicker in a christmas tree rock that my wife wanted.

reefshadow · 05/11/2007, 02:39 PM

Hmmm, interesting that you think it came in on a christmas tree rock, those are almost always asociated with porites, which the Phestilla lugubris eats according to the site, though I think it looks more like phestilla 1.

Anyway, kind of worrisome IMO that it took a liking to your other coral (favites? kind of hard to tell). Usually they are VERY prey specific and won't jump to any other coral, but this looks like it did, and more than 1 as well.

I would look nightly with a flashlight to pull out any of these you see, and also keep an eye out for eggs/babies. Usually if they are eating, they are breeding. Alot of slugs/nudis are quite prolific as long as there's a food source and no predators, and will begin laying eggs immediately.

Bebo77 · 05/11/2007, 02:49 PM

when in doubt, remove it..

Travis L. Stevens · 05/11/2007, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by steve671
I believe you are correct, looks like a match to me.
Thanks

Also, if you follow the link, it states that it eats Goniopora; which is what it is munching on in your first picture.

05/11/2007, 10:08 AM	#1
steve671 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Livermore, CA Posts: 110	Is this thing eating my coral? (pics) I have noticed over the past few days that my red/ purple coral was slowly dieing. This moring I saw these two slug like creatures on the coral. When I turned the lights on, they started to take off, but I grabbed the coral and took it out before they could escape. Any idea what these are? and do you think that they may be eating the coral? Thanks

05/11/2007, 10:34 AM	#2
alan214 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Colony, TX Posts: 1,258	Based on your pics, I'd have to say yes, it does appear to be eating your coral. Else that or the coral was dying and this nudibranch or whatever is just cleaning up the mess. __________________ I live really close to the airport. The other day I was walking across the living room and the stewardess told me to take my seat. Current Tank Info: 73G FOWLR

05/11/2007, 10:37 AM	#3
tigerarmy40 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: central ca Posts: 1,831	wow! ive never seen those before...you know what they say "when in dought take it out" __________________ The power of moonlight Current Tank Info: 90g rimless tank in the makes and a 15g nano

05/11/2007, 11:24 AM	#8
gig Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hawthorn Woods, IL Posts: 3,003	go to Wetwebmedia.com and ask Bob Fenner, send him an email of the pics, or the link to this thread. __________________ It's ILLIE!!!!!!!!!!! Current Tank Info: Current Tank Info: 180G RR in wall mixed reef moving toward SPS dominated (247 gal total system), 300lbs+ LR, VHO/T5 mix of lighting, X3 MP40w ES.

05/11/2007, 11:31 AM	#10
Travis L. Stevens Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 13,946	It looks to be an Aeolid nudibranch of some type. These are obligatory specialized eaters. They will only eat one type of thing, and it is usually cnidarian tissue. It is definitely eating your coral. I would remove it ASAP! __________________ Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront

05/11/2007, 10:52 AM	#4
pmvalenti Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: bear de Posts: 262	i would say they are eating your coral, i also haven't seen them before

05/11/2007, 10:57 AM	#5
skeeter-doc Moved On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: TX Posts: 1,643	yes I would quickly remove it next time you see it!

05/11/2007, 11:15 AM	#7
DiazE Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Jersey City, NJ Posts: 765	Check it out at TheSeaSlugForum website, they might provide a picture for ID. It sure helped me on an Id for a Calerpa eating slug (actually 5) found on my TBS LR.

05/11/2007, 11:29 AM	#9
GuOD Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 665	that thing looks awesome. like an anemone slug

05/11/2007, 12:02 PM	#11
steve671 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Livermore, CA Posts: 110	I have searched through about 100 photos so far on those sites, thanks. This is the best match I could find. It has longer tentacles though. Species: Phyllodesmium briareum

05/11/2007, 12:28 PM	#12
Travis L. Stevens Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 13,946	I believe that the Phyllodesmium briareum isn't what you have. I think they eat star polyps __________________ Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront

05/11/2007, 12:32 PM	#13
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	Most definantly eating your coral. There are a ton of different kinds of nudiabranchs, and each type will eat a different type of coral, sponge, etc. I wouldnt worry about a positive species ID... just remove them. Look out for more, and look for eggs as well. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

05/11/2007, 12:59 PM	#15
DiazE Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Jersey City, NJ Posts: 765	Glad to see you found the info, very awesome site. There's info on Sea Hares too.

05/11/2007, 01:02 PM	#16
LeslieH Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 3,178	I do think Phestilla is right but perhaps lugubris or species 1 rather than melanobrachia. http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=pheslugu http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=phessp1 __________________ Cheers, Leslie So many worms, so little time... Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

05/11/2007, 01:14 PM	#18
reefshadow Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Central Washington Posts: 1,786	Just like Lobster said, don't worry about a positive ID. Good thing you grabbed them out, don't put them back! It is unlikely they will prey on other corals unless they are the same type, but you never know. (that coral doesn't look like gonipora, though the nudi does look like Phestilla 1) Very rarely are slugs and nudis something to be desired, with only a couple exceptions that I can think of. __________________ All Your Coral Are Belong To Us Current Tank Info: 30 Deep Blue shallow mixed rimless, MP10, Ecoxotic LED's, SCA 301 skimmer.

05/11/2007, 02:39 PM	#20
reefshadow Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Central Washington Posts: 1,786	Hmmm, interesting that you think it came in on a christmas tree rock, those are almost always asociated with porites, which the Phestilla lugubris eats according to the site, though I think it looks more like phestilla 1. Anyway, kind of worrisome IMO that it took a liking to your other coral (favites? kind of hard to tell). Usually they are VERY prey specific and won't jump to any other coral, but this looks like it did, and more than 1 as well. I would look nightly with a flashlight to pull out any of these you see, and also keep an eye out for eggs/babies. Usually if they are eating, they are breeding. Alot of slugs/nudis are quite prolific as long as there's a food source and no predators, and will begin laying eggs immediately. __________________ All Your Coral Are Belong To Us Current Tank Info: 30 Deep Blue shallow mixed rimless, MP10, Ecoxotic LED's, SCA 301 skimmer.

05/11/2007, 02:49 PM	#21
Bebo77 Premium Nonpaying Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lost Posts: 14,377	when in doubt, remove it.. __________________ Gabriel Current Tank Info: 300 Gal Envision Tank(98Lx30Wx26T) 120 Gal SoCalCreations Sump, Deltec TC2560, 2 LumenarcsMini 1 Reg on a light mover W Radiums 250& 400, Gallaxy ballasts, Red Dragon 10m3 return W/ 2 WavySeas, 2 6155 Tunze streams