Purple sea slug or what?

[Beeba]

I bought this today because I thought it was sooooo cool looking. The fish store had a label on it that said it was a "purple sea slug." I can't find anything about it online. Anyone know anything about it?

 

[bradreef]

nudibranch

 

[Beeba]

Thanks. That helped me look up some info on it. Unfortunately now I'm worried it won't make it in my tank. My water parameters are good but I'm definitely no expert at this hobby. The LFS failed to tell me that they are hard to keep.

 

[bradreef]

they have a short lifespan and When they die they are toxic. Make sure to run carbon to reduce the effect.

 

[Beeba]

What would you consider a "short lifespan?"

 

[NaH2O]

Beeba - they are definately cool looking! Bradreef's right - their life span does tend to be on the short side....and really varies from system to system. It is Hypselodoris apolegma. According to the sea slug forum - they are closelty related to Hypselodoris bullockii - it may be a color form of that species or a distinct species. It also resembles Chromodoris except it has a different body shape and its rhinophores are more prominent. According to "Reef Invertebrates" by Calfo and Fenner - page 214 -

Hypselodoris bullockii: too often seen in the trade, this sea slug has little chance for survival in the aquarium beyond a few weeks or couple months at best. A highly specialized feeder. Egg-laying before death is common in aquaria.

The photo going along with the quote could probably be argued as Hypselodoris apolegma, as it looks like the one from the Sea Slug Forum's website, and the forum's statement that the relation between the two is debated.

I do know that often times these slugs get sucked into powerheads, so keep an eye out for that. As bradreef stated, they can be toxic to the tank, and try not to touch the rhinopores with your bare hands.

Hope this helps!

 

[Ed Hahn]

Beeba,
I think you have been challenged. I hope you can keep it alive for ever.. I had one of those. They do look fantastic in your tank. A little purple fellow to smile at ya in the morning. Now keep those nitrates down and water quality good and show us how much you love that little guy.

 

[rainetheiceman]

Sure does look really nice!!! What did he cost you??

 

[Beeba]

He cost me $19.99. I thought it was a good deal for a bright cool guy like that. I wanted a rosebulb anemone with a tomato clown that was nestled very cozy in it but the guy wouldn't deal with me so I left without it. I'm trying to get him to take the Condi back that I bought a few weeks ago in trade. I don't want the Condi because my clown won't host to it and they didn't tell me that before I bought it. That goes to show you that you should always come here and read first.

Well... I think Nikki jinxed me. Just teasing Nikki!

I read Nikki's post while at work yesterday morning and when I came home from lunch the little guy was stuck in a powerhead grill. Funny that it happened hours after being told. I'm becoming a believer in "speaking things into existence". He wasn't broken but he was stuck beyond salvage. I had to throw the entire powerhead grill away. Poor little guy.

 

[NaH2O]

Sorry, Beeba! Well, I haven't been having much luck lately, so I hope it's not rubbing off - EEEEEK!

 

[Beeba]

I'm just glad it didn't harm the rest of my tank.

 

[mattseattle]

i learned to sponge off all your intakes. i lost my rose bulb anemone that way. anyone that is small enough to get trapped in the intake will.

 

[jesshimom]

So Matt what exactly do you do to the power head intake cover.. you say put sponge on them but just buy a cheap sponge filter and modify or buy the ones they make ie, the square black ones? Or does it matter? i'm just thinking I'd have to order the black prefilter attachments as Ive not seen them in stores.

I had the same thing happen Beeba, I was at one of the board sponsors and they had a very cool sea apple and I knew nothing of it so I asked all about how to take care of it, how to feed or whatever and they never mentioned it could croak very easily and mess up my tank. It seems to be doing fine though and has been in there probably six months. It is red, white and blue and gorgeous. I'm breaking down that tank to redo it to BB and move downstairs, so I'm debating what to do with it.

 

[mattseattle]

i bought the cheap sponge filter material and cut it and wrapped my intakes with it. Blue Sierra does have the sponge attachments for the Maxi-jet's but they wanted like 6.00 bucks a piece. I think I paid 2.00 bucks for the sponge material and i did all my power heads. I did buy one of the black square ones as well.

 

[Beeba]

I knew the powerhead was a danger for my anemone because I lost one before so I had two out of three powerheads turned off temporarily until I could find a filter sponge to put over the intake grill. The one that was still working was on the opposite side of the tanke from the anemone so I didn't worry about it too much but I will have covers before the end of the weekend.

 

[Ohgee]

Just keep a close eye on your condi though Beebe. I had one from almost day one in my tank and I added a new powerhead a couple weeks ago and it's like he committewd suicide!! With 24 hours he had moved the entire length of the 55gal tank to get sucked up

Also ..... my 2spot domino is now very upset and tearing things up looking for a new home becuase he had made a home of the condi. Just a thought .... maybe you want to get one for your condi.

But like I said .... keep an eye on him .... hated it when I lost mine after having him almost 6 months

 

[Beeba]

I may try that. Nothing in my tank likes my condi except the skunk shrimp like to pick at it on occasion. Thanks for the advice. I will get the powerheads covered today. I saw the covers for them at the LFS yesterday but I thought $13 for two little foam covers was a bit much. I was wondering if I could take my extra filter material and wrapped it like a sock and sew it with fishing line. Anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[Ohgee]

That actually sounds liek a very sound idea. I am pretty new to the hobby but don't know why your idea wouldn't work.

 

[Beeba]

I sewed a filter sock for each of my powerheads. Looks okay and seems to work okay although I imagine the filter will get gunky after awhile. Good thing is I can just take it off and rinse it out.