Mystery Critter

[DeepBlueSomething]

Any positive ID on this beast? Slightly smaller than a pea - on glass?

Clowns started trying to chomp him like he was a big pod.

 

[g5flier]

Following, pulled one off my glass last week and another one about 4 weeks ago.

 

[DeepBlueSomething]

By my research I think it is a variety of nudibranch, but looking for confirmation -- and if to burn, sump or leave for clowns?

 

[JaimeAdams]

It's a Nudibranch. Got zoas in the tank?

 

[JaimeAdams]

By my research I think it is a variety of nudibranch, but looking for confirmation -- and if to burn, sump or leave for clowns?

Certainly kill it!

 

[DeepBlueSomething]

Just added a nice zoa garden... and I noticed a xenia that looked a bit mauled. Away he goes...but is he likely to have friends? Will my clowns eat others?

 

[Sycoticrealm]

That a nudiranch. Depending on species you may wanna get rid of it.

 

[S-t-r-e-t-c-h]

Just added a nice zoa garden... and I noticed a xenia that looked a bit mauled. Away he goes...but is he likely to have friends? Will my clowns eat others?

Looks like a zoanthid eating nudibranch. Could definitely be more individuals or eggs on the new addition...

 

[DeepBlueSomething]

Should I pull the garden rock and dip again? Or are they likely to be all over at this point?

 

[JaimeAdams]

I would dip. They only eat Zoathids, but as you have witnessed the move all around the tank as well. Nudibranchs are tough to get rid of. Got a Melanarus or yellow/green corris wrasses?

 

[DeepBlueSomething]

I would dip. They only eat Zoathids, but as you have witnessed the move all around the tank as well. Nudibranchs are tough to get rid of. Got a Melanarus or yellow/green corris wrasses?

No wrasses yet -- so an opportunity. Those are two you listed are both - "Reef Cautious" -- in your experience and in a 40b what are your thoughts?

 

[Fin]

They are easier to spot at night with a small flashlight and a magnifying glass (if your eyes are as bad as mine). Not only do you need to worry about the ones you see, there may also be eggs. Good luck.

 

[DeepBlueSomething]

One down - will dip later tonight and hopefully take out any brothers / sisters.

Thanks all for confirming and guidance!

 

[danschoenherr]

They are normally not hard to eradicate in a smaller system. As mentioned, get Melanarus or a Yellow Corris wrasse and be sure to have tank covered with mesh top.....they WILL jump out. Also, you will need to manually remove the ones you can see. I got myself a large magnifying glass and close to lights out, with just the blues on, I would turn off the pumps and scan my zoa colonies with the magnifying glass and pick off the nudibranchs with a long tweezers. They are actually kind of cool looking because they will commonly take on the color of the zoas that they are munching on. Look for the egg clusters too and lightly scrape them off outside of the tank.

 

[g5flier]

No wrasses yet -- so an opportunity. Those are two you listed are both - "Reef Cautious" -- in your experience and in a 40b what are your thoughts?

I have a Melanurus in my mixed reef tank and have never had any coral issues, great for pest removal.

 

[malacoda]

If you want to try to ID what type of nudibranch it might be, the pics at Lionfish Lair may help.

 

[DeepBlueSomething]

If you want to try to ID what type of nudibranch it might be, the pics at Lionfish Lair may help.

Thanks @malacoda much appreciated resource!

 

[flsalty]

Keep in mind that dipping will do nothing to the eggs.