ID on a slug
 

Mike found a little yellow slug that has white feathery things sticking up off the head. I tried to get a pic of it but it is too small to focus on. Any ideas are appreciated!

the "feathery" extensions you speak of are likely cerata and indicate that your slug is a predatory Opisthobranch. It may eat coral, sponge, bryozoans, etc.

Tritoniopsis is a common variety (pic in my "Reef Invertebrates" book, Julian's "Reef Aquarium", etc)

This critter eats soft corals.

Do browse the website seaslugforum for pics and IDs to help here.

best regards, Anthony

Sounds like some kind of nudibranch. Hmm.. so hard to say what kind without a picture. You could try [url=http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nudibran.htm][b][color=blue]WWM[/b][/color][/url] and [url=http://www.seaslugforum.net/][b][color=blue]SeaSlugForum[/b][/color][/url] for an ID. The latter of the websites is though and long to navigate though if you do not know what your are looking for. Still, it's worth a shot if you are concerned.

HTH

Ha! Beat by the man! :D

Answered by the man himself.

Anthony, i hope you continue to drop by and read our forum often. :)

Thanks people! It is out of the tank and in a cup, I think I will put it in my tank unless it eats coralline? Anthony, any comments?

Hmm... I'm confused, Jen: are you saying you'll put it back into the reef tank?

Regardless... you need to ID the animal first. Do follow the links above and browse/confirm.

If it is indeed an Opisthobranch... it will either find the animal (coral, sponge, etc) it needs to eat... or it will not and it will starve to death. Either situation is bad. The latter because they are highly noxious and sometimes toxic (read: poison fish/tank).

We have extensive coverage of this family of reef creatures in our "Reef Invertebrates" book... please do consider reviewing that chapter as well.

kindly, Anthony

[IMG]http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/71453Slug.jpg[/IMG]

Here is the best pic we could get of the little bugger. No Anthony I have a FOWLR My husband has the reef tank. Is this a good or bad slug?

its "bad" in the sense that it is an Opisthobranch and is carnivorously predatory (obligate) as evidenced by the cerata (tassels on the dorsal side). At best it will simply starve to death without its necessary prey (a soft coral likely in this case). I'd frankly would play it safe and euthanize it. Its likely a small risk either way in the FOWLR).

Its outta here. Thanks for the the help.

This is my thread Mike! :)

Glad it's out of there and met a kind end. :)

Yes, the Porcelain Express is the proper mode of transportation for that guy.

We gave him the swirling salute!