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View Full Version : Unknown species in sump. Nudibrach?

ScubaBermuda
11/15/2005, 01:19 PM
Dr. Ron,

I was doing some maintenance in my mud sump and I came across this guy. It seems to be eating the Chaetomorpha in the sump. It really looks like some kind of a baby nudibranch. I did not introduce any to my tank, so I am not sure how it got in there. Can you please help me identify this.

Thank you.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/48526Unknown.JPG
ScubaBermuda
11/15/2005, 01:26 PM
Here is another pic.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/48526unknown2.jpg
ScubaBermuda
11/15/2005, 01:44 PM
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/48526unknown3.jpg
greenbean36191
11/15/2005, 02:33 PM
It's a dendronotacean nudibranch. Like all nudibranchs it is entirely carnivorous, so it's not feeding on the algae in the sump. It's possible that it could be feeding on hydroids or other small cnidarians growing on the algae, but this one actually appears to be one of the species that preys on soft corals. The pictures aren't clear enough to tell for sure though.
ScubaBermuda
11/15/2005, 02:35 PM
I tried to do my best in taking a good picture. Its only an inch long. Since it has taken home in the sump should I get rid of it?
ScubaBermuda
11/15/2005, 02:36 PM
The reason I say that is because I have many soft corals in my main tank.
greenbean36191
11/15/2005, 02:42 PM
Yes, you should get rid of it and check your corals. These guys sometimes come in as groups and a few of them can breed in captivity.
ScubaBermuda
11/15/2005, 02:46 PM
Thank you.
rshimek
11/15/2005, 03:00 PM
Hi,

Mike answered this pretty well, ([thanks]) my only addition is to include this link (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-09/rs/index.htm) to an article that will tell you a bit about nudibranchs, in general, and this one in particular.
ScubaBermuda
11/15/2005, 03:05 PM
Reading it as I type. Thanks.