Any idea what this is on flower pot?

[Lionfish Lair]

The 2 red tentacles/palps/rhinophores are what is really throwing me off. I believe it's significant.

 

[Tray333]

Not home right now but give me a few I will try better photos

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Does it move at all?

 

[Tray333]

I honestly can't say if it dose or not, because I do not know what the flower pot looked Ike when I bought it, and this side has always been out of view until recently. As I look at the Skelton now it appears it may be eatting the flower pot, but not totally sure. Not sure if these pictures are any better but it is the best I can do.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Oh that's a nudibranch. Remove it.

 

[Tray333]

I does not try to retract it self when I touch it.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

I would remove it.

 

[Tray333]

Ok I will, how do I do this, lol it appears to be latched on good.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Can you remove the coral to a container?

 

[Tray333]

Yes it is just on sandbed now. Easily done. And by the way thank you for your expertise in identifying this pest instead of pet.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

It might even crawl off if you put it in a container. Nudibranchs are so SO gorgeous, but most are nasty.

 

[Tray333]

Yes I will try this, thanks again for your help.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Your welcome! Be sure to tell us about it!

 

[MattyBoomBatty]

I'd also look for egg clusters around the base of the coral, they usually look a bit like clearish jelly. If it's been eating on that coral at all it might try to reproduce.

 

[MattyBoomBatty]

BTW, that last picture is pretty nice!

 

[ebushrow]

You could also try to dip it again...it may release by itself then....just another idea

 

[Lionfish Lair]

It's a Phestilla species and that is absolutely eating your coral.

Have a net ready when you lift the coral out, just in case he abandons ship. I probably would lift the whole thing out in a net. If he leaves the coral while you're removing it, he may try to swim verses just falling back down to the sand and they are next to impossible to catch by hand when on the move.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

http://www.nudibranch.org/Papua New Guinea Sea Slugs/html/nudibranchs/Phestilla sp2 01.html

 

[Lovemycj7]

Nice job all.

General rule I've been told when in doubt take it out

 

[Tray333]

Just a update, with everyone's greatly appreciated help and advise, my nudibranch has found a new home in my fish species only 14 gallon biocube for now. I took Lionfish 'suggestion and snagged the whole coral with a fish net and as you predicted he detached himself from it and into the net. Not sure what the little guy will feed on now, however I could not just kill it . Furthermore, since he ingested my 60 dollar flower pot, I figured I would keep him for a while.