Help defining what this is

[avalenti]

I am trying to identify the attached that I saw only a few times in my reef tank. I need to know if it is harmful or if it is just part of the Eco system of my tank. Any help that you can offer I would appreciate it.

Thank you Andrew

 

[Ingy]

Google nudibranches. Have you added any corals recently as nudis have very specific diets normally

 

[bribo12]

Definitely a nudi. How big is it? Do you have any zoanthids or montipora?

 

[avalenti]

Yep I have added zoo's. Now what? Do I need to be concerned?

 

[avalenti]

It's about 3/8"

 

[bribo12]

How big is the nudi? It's on the glass not the zoas so that is a good sign. Have the zoas been closed lately?

 

[avalenti]

It's about three eights of an inch and some zoas are closed but they alternate opening.

 

[avalenti]

here it is

 

[bribo12]

Check the close ones for nudibranchs

 

[avalenti]

Then what do I do to get rid of them?

 

[bribo12]

Then what do I do to get rid of them?

Manual removal basically. And look for eggs.

 

[avalenti]

What do the eggs look like?

 

[bribo12]

They're tiny and usually on the stalk of the zoanthid. They look like tiny dots

 

[avalenti]

is this one?

 

[bribo12]

No they're much much smaller and only on the zoas

 

[avalenti]

Do you know - Is there a natural predator that I can add to my tank?

 

[bribo12]

How big is your tank? Wrasses will sometimes eat them but that is never full proof. I'd try manual removal and dipping them first if you actually see any on it. The fact it was on your glass means it may not be a coral eater

 

[avalenti]

Interesting .. My tank is 75 gallons.

 

[bribo12]

Six line wrasses are probably the most common wrasse that will eat them

 

[avalenti]

Thanks for all your help!