Nudibranch id

[goody]

Pretty sure this is a nudibranch I found in my macro tank tonight. I couldn't find any photos on Internet that was close to it. The blue spots aren't really showing on these photos, but they are a light bluish, green and maybe some white ones too. Anyone know what it is? Should I let it be in my macroalgae tank?

 

[Steve2020]

Looks like a Black Dendrodoris Nudibranch. Reef safe. Good algae grazer. Have read they may nibble on certain types on sponges. I have 2 in my tank but no sponges of any importance so I can't verify if they do or don't.

 

[MoshJosh]

After a little internet searching, dendrodoris nigra was the closest I could find.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

That's an Elysia sp. sacoglossan slug - an algae eater; they feed by sucking the chloroplasts out of macroalgae.

Any chance of pics of it under brighter white light? (I'm assuming it's a green color in person, but it looks almost black in the pics). Also, what kinds of macroalgae do you have in the tank?

Looks like a Black Dendrodoris Nudibranch. Reef safe. Good algae grazer. Have read they may nibble on certain types on sponges. I have 2 in my tank but no sponges of any importance so I can't verify if they do or don't.

Just to clarify this here, Dendrodoris nudibranchs (and most other Dorid nudibranchs) exclusively feed on specific sponges - they're not algae eaters at all, and they will starve over time without access to the sponges they need.

Edit: For anyone curious, zoom in on pic #2 and you can see some of the green coloration and the leafy texture typical of Elysia slugs on the critter's back.

 

[goody]

That's an Elysia sp. sacoglossan slug - an algae eater; they feed by sucking the chloroplasts out of macroalgae.

Any chance of pics of it under brighter white light? (I'm assuming it's a green color in person, but it looks almost black in the pics). Also, what kinds of macroalgae do you have in the tank?

Just to clarify this here, Dendrodoris nudibranchs (and most other Dorid nudibranchs) exclusively feed on specific sponges - they're not algae eaters at all, and they will starve over time without access to the sponges they need.

Here's a couple photos under whites only. And you're right. It is green.
I can't remember all the types of macroalgae I have but they are mostly reds other than codium and Caulerpa Prolifera, and some sort of moss ball. So do you think it will eat my macros?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Here's a couple photos under whites only. And you're right. It is green.
I can't remember all the types of macroalgae I have but they are mostly reds other than codium and Caulerpa Prolifera, and some sort of moss ball. So do you think it will eat my macros?

Unfortunately, yes.

It's definitely feeding on your macro, probably the Codium or Caulerpa:

That said, Elysia slugs generally feed on siphonalean algae such as Caulerpa, Codium, Acetabularia, Halimeda, Udotea, Byropsis, and Valonia spp.

I'll see if I can figure out a species ID tomorrow, but I'd suggest checking for egg spirals on your macros, especially any green ones.

 

[goody]

Unfortunately, yes.

It's definitely feeding on your macro, probably the Codium or Caulerpa:

I'll see if I can figure out a species ID tomorrow, but I'd suggest checking for egg spirals on your macros, especially any green ones.

Thanks. Not what I was hoping to hear, but I appreciate the quick responses. I did find it on a blade of the Caulerpa.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

I'll see if I can figure out a species ID tomorrow,

A day late here, but any ideas on where your slug came from?

If it's from Florida, it's most likely E. canguzua.

 

[goody]

A day late here, but any ideas on where your slug came from?

If it's from Florida, it's most likely E. canguzua.

No worries, and I have no idea where it came from. Just saw it in the tank the other night. Not sure how long it's been in there. I have ordered some macros from a vendor in Florida in the past.

 

[goody]

A day late here, but any ideas on where your slug came from?

If it's from Florida, it's most likely E. canguzua.

Found another critter. Is this just a larger one? It looks as though it has a small shell.

 

[ReefingDreams]

Found another critter. Is this just a larger one? It looks as though it has a small shell.

Likely just a stomatella. Good guy.

 

[Naekuh]

Can that thing even out eat your caulerpa growth?
That thing is pretty cool, and if it only grazes on caulerpa thats even better in my book.

 

[goody]

Likely just a stomatella. Good guy.

I had considered that but don't stomatellas have the "antennae"? This did not.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Found another critter. Is this just a larger one? It looks as though it has a small shell.

Ah, sorry, forgot to reply to this - looks like a bubble snail, though I can't tell for sure which from the pic; some that look similar include Bulla species and Haminoea species (there are more, but these look the most similar that I remember at the moment).