Acro Eating Nudibranch

[Fishy 1]

Biggles keeps pods as pets, he even names them. So wrasses aren't his most favorite fish because they would eat his pet pods:facepalm:

 

[Piper27]

Hi Biggles,

Sorry to hear about your nudi issues. I got distracted by Kevin and have not seen this thread until now.

I have searched my digital library and have come across this article written by Dana Riddle.

I have not come across any distinct species of nudibranches mentioned in the literature that prey specifically on acroporids. However, in his Article Dana mentions Phestilla sp, which preys on Porites. This nudibranch is distinct from Embletonia sp., which is 'Montipora-eating Nudibranchs'. Embletonia sp. would scatter around if you blow them with a turkey baster.

Is it likely that what you have in your tank is a Phestilla sp, which developed a taste for acroporids in the absence of Porites in your tank?

I would consider getting a Halichoeres melanurus as well as Halichoeres hortulanus. I am sure they will help you with your battle. They are very efficient hunters. I used them in the past for montipora eating nudie as well as pyramidellid snails.

I wish you best of luck.

regards

I don't think these are phestilla nudis. They are very large compared to others and his seem to be the size of an acro polyp. Then again I haven't seen a pic of the phestilla that eat porites, they could be smaller but I have noticed that these kinds of nudis have a circle on the center of them to blend in with the surrounding polyps. Biggles seem to be very small and look more like the Monti eating nudis.

 

[Piper27]

Here is a picture of a goni eating nudibranch my girl took. He had been through a dip and looks a little shrunk on his tenticals.

We have seen nudis eating acropora before but did not get to take any pics or study them. They seemed to be doing the same kind of damage biggles is describing. It looked kind of like a thumb had smudged off the skin on the acro around the base.

Biggles thanks for the pics! Very well done, I hope they don't give you trouble your acros are beautiful!