Has anyone had a nudibranch?

A

arpy

AC Members
Jun 2, 2007
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Chesterton, IN
I had asked for an ID before based on description (I don't have a camera that can focus on the little guy...). A nudibranch was suggested, but it was too small to really tell.

A few weeks later now, it has increased by 50% or so and is starting to show much more color (black body, bright blue antenni, bright blue and red/orange stripes on it's back) and has a couple small bumps forming on it's back. I am almost sure now that it is a nudibranch.

I have heard they are "bad" but have not heard how/why. I am wondering if any of you have had one - and how it worked out for you. I have no fish yet (tank is only 1 month old). I have many snails, 5 hermits and a sally lightfoot in the tank now. I am guessing it is eating as it has grown quite a bit - I read they can be picky eaters... I would like to keep it, but want to know what I will be in for...
 
arpy said:
just found Opisthobranch online... could be one of these too...
Click to expand...

I think I might have an ID. The one in my tank is still very small, so it does not have nearly as much noticable color as the one in the link (although I am convinced it has the same colors and similar patterns - minus the white spot). Mine appears to have a solid tail - if you search for the name they list the one in the link as, they have flowing/split tails and different colors.

I think the picture is a match (assuming the tail splits as they grow?).
Chelidonura hirundinina
http://www.rfbolland.com/okislugs/chelhiru.html
 
Certainly sounds like a nudibranch. The trouble with them is that they have very specific dietary needs that vary by the specific species. Some eat only hair algae, some only eat sponges, some only eat corals. I had one that would eat soft corals to absorb the symbiotic algae. In heavily stocked tanks, there typically don't cause a problem, but I got rid of mine because I was just starting out.

If you see it munching on a coral, I'd remove it. It's got to be eating something to grow, so figure out where it hangs out.
 
I have two black and white nudibranchs in my tank, they have survived a long time. They were hitchhikers at the store I work at. I don't have much for coral, I believe they eat algae. Also had a purple and white nudibranch, apparently they eat only red sponges and it died.
 
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