nudibranch / sea hare toxins concern

[copi]

The critter in these photos was identified in the ID forum as a sea hare. The folks who sold me the live rock call is a "white nudibranch."

My biggest concern is: should I be worried about this fellow releasing toxins into my tank? The tank he's in has not yet cycled. If advisable, I could move him to a fully cycled 20 gal reef, but if it's going to release toxins I don't want to endanger the reef.

Both sources said it's an algae eater.

Thanks.

 

[roka64]

This is a White Nudi http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2339231330098394197UxaGMd. I believe the nudis that release a toxin are specific to what they eat (correct me if I am wrong). Sea hares will release a purple dye that can cause a problem to your other critters.

 

[austinsdad]

The whiter photo is throwing me off. Sea hares I've seen are dark grey.

 

[Devilishturtles]

Maybe a Bursatella sp?

http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=bursleac

And this is an interesting article.

http://www.seaslugforum.net/display.cfm?id=19217

I've always read that the ink isn't something to be too concerned about, but I could be wrong. That article states that they must eat red algae to make the ink and since aquariums are usually full of green algae, there is nothing to be concerned about.

Anyways, HTH.

 

[melosu58]

My concern is putting it in a tank that is not yet cycled. It will suffer from ammonia or nitrite poisoning. If you put them in your already cycled tank you might not see them again if you put them in.