newly hatched sea hare? ID please?

[kyla bidwell]

I got a sea hare about 2 weeks ago from my lfs. It was wild caught and it had just arrived at the lfs (I always go in the day they get their shipment so I can avoid acclimating fish to my tank right after they acclimated to the lfs tank. I get my stuff while its still in the bag it was shipped in). The day after i put the hare in my tank, it started leaving these looong strings behind it. I assumed it was slug poo. But I read some things online that made me believe that it was laying eggs, not constantly pooing. So its been about 2 weeks since the eggs were laid. This morning I woke up turned my lights on and saw what looked like a tiny little sea hare on the glass. It moves like a sea hare. It has the little fleshy spikes. Its white, tan and light brown like my big sea hare is. Its a little longer than a grain of long grain rice. Since im not sure what it is, I put it in my breeder net which is hanging on the side of the tank. If anyone can ID this cute little guy for me, id greatly appreciate it! Sorry for the bad quality photos. My galaxy 3 doesn't take the best of photos! I wish i could get a pic of its back side! As always,
Thanks for looking and have an awesome day!

 

[Tahoe61]

It's a Nudibranch, they look like what they eat so if you have added any Xenia or ToadStool coral that would be what they are eating. There are hundreds of types of Nudibranch, many we find in our tanks are coral eaters. Nudibranch usually only eat one type of coral, sponge... they are diet specific, if they do not have a food source they starve.

 

[WetWhistle]

It doesn't have the typical shape of a sea hare. To me that looks like a nudibranch of some kind. But it is hard to tell from the pictures.

 

[WetWhistle]

Some nudibranch also eat algae to add to what Tahoe61 said. If it is on the glass it could be eating algae, eating pods that eat the algae or looking for a coral to chomp.

 

[kyla bidwell]

Ooohhhhhh nooooooo! The dreaded nudibranch has found its way into my tank!?!? I dont think its an algae or pod eater because I haven't ever seen one on my glass before now. I look on my glass a lot to check for astreia stars and pods. So im guessing these things are probably camouflaged all over my corals. I have a lot of coral but recently my toadstool has been acting up. It has small black spots on it with littke polyp extension. I also have about 7 different kinds of zoas and only 1 of those has been opening lately. The other 6 havent opened in weeks. My water is perfect and I dose what is needed to keep everything in check. My sps has been fine. Even my BTA is happier than ever. So im guessing that the nudibranches are eating my toadstool and zoas! Ugh!

Ok so on to my next question: how in the hell can I get rid of the little suckers? Any natural predators that do a good job at eating them?

Thanks a ton for your quick answers.

 

[Tahoe61]

Zoanthid eating are the same coloration as zonathids. Since it looks more like xenia or toadstool that is where I would start. Just remove them manually and dip the toad stool and look for eggs to remove.

 

[Joanmarti2014]

It's a berghia verrucosa, they are very good eatting aiptasias

 

[Joanmarti2014]

They are reef safe

 

[Joanmarti2014]

 

[Tahoe61]

It's a berghia verrucosa, they are very good eatting aiptasias

There are so many white nudibranch, just do a google search under "white nudibranch"and you'll see what I am talking about. The image is bad, it could just as easily be a Montiopora Eating Nudibranch. Google that type of nudibranch and you'll see exactly what I mean. No definitive ID can be made from those images. All Nudibranch are cool, but I am not willing to proclaim that nudibanch reef safe.

 

[Joanmarti2014]

https://saltyunderground.com/images/homeslide2/Berghia_Top_view_Salty.jpg

 

[Joanmarti2014]

If is like this one, and a very small size, less than 0,5cm, is a berghia v.

 

[Tahoe61]

Oh you're right it looks similar, but it also looks similar to a Montipora Eating Nudibanch, which is very small as well

I am not confident enough to say that nudibranch is reef safe based on the only information I have.

 

[Joanmarti2014]

Yes, there is one very similar,bad. If you have an aiptasia, try it

 

[Joanmarti2014]

I recognize it, because I bought berghias a few times,they do a fantastic job with aiptasias, but be careful and be sure they are not bad

 

[kyla bidwell]

Ive googled several types and unfortunately im 99.9% sure that its monti eating nudis. My monti has recently bleached VERY quickly as well. Im going to try getting a wrasse and maybe it will keep them under control. Ive also found colonial hydroids last night. When it rains it pours huh? Anyone know of any idead on how to get rid of the hydroids?