Nudibranch Confusion

[SaltwaterNoobs]

Just found a nudibranch hitchhiker in the tank last night, and before going to bed, noticed it attached itself to the back of one of the astria snail's shell. When checking on it this morning, it's still there. I just want to make sure the nudibranch isn't a threat to the snails in the tank and isn't doing any harm to the one it is currently on. Do they even eat snails? Any and all advice/information is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[returnofsid]

Any Nudibranch hitchhiker is going to be a threat to something in your tank. They're ALL obligate feeders, with very specialized diets. There are so many Nudibranchs and they each eat something different. Some eat corals, some eat snails or clams, they're all carnivorous. Unless it's a Nudi that you introduced to the tank, for a specific purpose, such as to eat Aiptasia or Flatworms, I'd remove it immediately AND keep your eyes open for more.

 

[lvsuckerfish]

where did you get the rock from if you bought it used check with that person and see if any Nudi's they introduced to the tank. but other then that what Sid said is almost right on never heard of anyone getting a benificial nudi on live rock. possible a photo of it would help id it

 

[SaltwaterNoobs]

where did you get the rock from if you bought it used check with that person and see if any Nudi's they introduced to the tank. but other then that what Sid said is almost right on never heard of anyone getting a benificial nudi on live rock. possible a photo of it would help id it

We bought one piece of rock that had zoas on it, and another piece of liverock from a liverock tank, so the nudi could have come from either one of those. It was from our local fish store, though, so doubtful it's a nudi that was introduced to the tank. As soon as I see it I will remove it, but here is an uploaded picture of what the thing looks like (just to make sure it is a nudibranch and I'm not killing something that could actually be beneficial to the tank).

 

[ajnweb]

More than likely a zoanthid eating nudi....you may want to consider a flatworm exit treatment to kill any newly hatched nudis, and then another on a few weeks to kill any eggs that may have hatched, if not, keep your eyes out for any feeding on your zoas at night!

 

[SaltwaterNoobs]

More than likely a zoanthid eating nudi....you may want to consider a flatworm exit treatment to kill any newly hatched nudis, and then another on a few weeks to kill any eggs that may have hatched, if not, keep your eyes out for any feeding on your zoas at night!

What is a flatworm treatment?

 

[returnofsid]

Flatworm Exit, made by Salifert, is meant for killing Red Planaria (Flatworms), but it also kills Zoanthid eating Nudibranchs, sometimes.

 

[SaltwaterNoobs]

Flatworm Exit, made by Salifert, is meant for killing Red Planaria (Flatworms), but it also kills Zoanthid eating Nudibranchs, sometimes.

So would it be beneficial to at least try that in my tank now, just in case there are more we haven't seen? (I did just find the nudi and we disposed of it) If so, do I need to remove anything from the tank that could be harmed by the flatworm treatment (fish, zoas, xenia, etc)?

 

[mfinn]

More than likely a zoanthid eating nudi....you may want to consider a flatworm exit treatment to kill any newly hatched nudis, and then another on a few weeks to kill any eggs that may have hatched, if not, keep your eyes out for any feeding on your zoas at night!

Oh yeah, that's got to be a zoanthid destroyer.:evil:

Doing a whole tank treatment really depends on how many zoanthid frags/colonies you have. If only a few, I'd consider doing a dip outside the tank with Flat Worm Exit.
http://www.practicalcoralfarming.com/zoonudis.html

If you have a tank full and it is not possible to remove all, then the whole tank treatment is about your only real option.

I've treated my whole tank at one time and it's kind of hard on it.

 

[SaltwaterNoobs]

Oh yeah, that's got to be a zoanthid destroyer.:evil:

Doing a whole tank treatment really depends on how many zoanthid frags/colonies you have. If only a few, I'd consider doing a dip outside the tank with Flat Worm Exit.
http://www.practicalcoralfarming.com/zoonudis.html

If you have a tank full and it is not possible to remove all, then the whole tank treatment is about your only real option.

I've treated my whole tank at one time and it's kind of hard on it.

Since we only have one small rock of zoas, I think taking it out and quarantining it to treat it would be the easiest and best option. We just bought the rock two days ago and this is the second pesty hitchhiker we've found in the tank. I think we know where NOT to buy liverock and zoas now. Thanks for the help!

 

[mfinn]

Since we only have one small rock of zoas, I think taking it out and quarantining it to treat it would be the easiest and best option. We just bought the rock two days ago and this is the second pesty hitchhiker we've found in the tank. I think we know where NOT to buy liverock and zoas now. Thanks for the help!

If it's the only one, then do treat it outside the tank.

Plus, I would not let this experince with the nudibranch stop you from buying at whatever store you found it at.
The nudibranchs will come in from just about any store you go to.
It's really up to us to take the steps we need to, so that we don't introduce these pests into our tanks.

 

[SaltwaterNoobs]

If it's the only one, then do treat it outside the tank.

Plus, I would not let this experince with the nudibranch stop you from buying at whatever store you found it at.
The nudibranchs will come in from just about any store you go to.
It's really up to us to take the steps we need to, so that we don't introduce these pests into our tanks.

Very true. I consider incidents like this lessons in salt water tanks. We are newbies after all!

 

[lvsuckerfish]

yes buy from any store there is a couple products you can buy also to help with these issues coral dips I personally like revive follow the directions on any bottle you have and this will help with alot of issues. also a small tank to qt things will be benifical also that doesn;t have to be pretty just to keep things alive a light with a HOB filter over rated for the tank size and a small power head for extra flow and water changes and keep topped off. also is an easy way to stop the issues before they make it to your display. but it could be zoa eating nudis. as for the buying from stores all stores have the issues one way or another they bring it products and most all stores take good care of there live stock and that same could happen from buying from another reefer along with alot of other issues. als. it is aprt of the fun hobby. lol