Blue Velvet Nudibranches-Death to Flatworms!

Acroporas lack the capacity for independent movement, so the distinction while technically accurate is, in their case, irrelevant.

The flatworm is a mobile creature that hunts for food. It is probably the most efficient detritivore in our hobby. As such, flatworms can and will move deep into rocks and penetrate into sand beds. While they will not remain there permanently, they can survive for quite a long time in such environments. And, as a result, many can and will survive chemical treatments.

It's a significant, and not merely a semantic, difference.

I agree. The nudibranchs are very efficient/effective at removal, and they will lay eggs under the proper circumstances. But similar to Berghia, they only eat one thing and usually will die out before eradication of all their targeted pest. But, they are gorgeous and fun to watch.
 
Thanks for editing out the rude comment you initially included in your last post.

Not sure what was unclear in what I wrote above. So let me try again.

You are the one who made the comparison to acroporas, or rather raised the question regarding the relationship between cohabiting and photosynthesis. It is the same -- there is a symbiotic relationship there between a photsynthetic and non-photosynthetic animal. But with the coral the distinction that you asked about is irrelevant to this problem of the flatworms, because acroporas are not mobile. They can not bury in the sand.

You expressed confusion as to why a photosynthetic animal would bury. They don't (as far as I know). The worm can and does. Flatworms are detritivores, pure and simple.

I never said mobility was relevant to photosynthesis. Again, you failed to understand. Put it this way -- photosynthesis is irrelevant to mobility. Zoox are photosynthetic whether cohabiting with acroporas or with flatworms. Acroporas are not mobile. Flatworms are. So what is irrelevant is your question about acroporas.

Flatworms move, are detritivores, and will move deep into rock or into a sandbed. The photosynthetic hitchhikers just have to wait until they come out of the dark to get their light. Again -- what is relevant to the problem here is the mobility of the worms, and the fact that when they are under the sand, or deep within rock, they can survive the chemical attacks against them.

Suggest you head to Shimek's or similar on these animals if you have more questions, because I'm not a marine biologist and the limit of my knowledge on these guys has been reached here. I know what I know because I had an infestation, learned, and then responded accordingly (did nothing, and over time, a LONG time though, they eventually died off.) I kept radiant and other halichoeres wrasses in the display and never saw more than one or two flatworms in there (my plague was in the fuge and sump only).

If this isn't clear, fiji, suggest you read more if interested by those who are expert. Let's return this thread to the O.P.'s intent.
 
Flatworms are detritivores, pure and simple.

Where are you getting that Convolutriloba retrogemma is a detrivor? Im sorry you are taking the acropora example quite literal. Would it make more sense to you comparing an invertebrate such as an anemone? Same thing, but to make you feel better, it is mobile.

Your original statement was:
Photosynthetic? Flatworms? I do not believe they are.

That is incorrect - they are indeed photosynthetic. The whole semantics comment was laid down because you decided that "co-habit with zooxanthellae" was more fitting for your needs. Regardless, it means the same thing that was said originally.

I never said mobility was relevant to photosynthesis. Again, you failed to understand.

Your answer

Acroporas lack the capacity for independent movement, so the distinction while technically accurate is, in their case, irrelevant.

???

Look, I don't feel like arguing, but it all started with your statement of Convolutriloba retrogemma not being photosynthetic which is false, period.
 
The nudibranchs are very efficient/effective at removal, and they will lay eggs under the proper circumstances. But similar to Berghia, they only eat one thing and usually will die out before eradication of all their targeted pest. But, they are gorgeous and fun to watch.

Have you kept them before? If so, what type of behavior did you observe? So far, in just the 36 hours or so, they seem to fill up on FW's rather quick, then make the little mucus net they sleep in, then doze off. If they keep up this pace, I'm fairly confident the FW population can support these four. Granted, a day and a half is hardly enough time to make that assumption, so I'll keep this thread updated. And yes, they really are fascinating little creatures.

Fiji, can you tell me more about your experience with the nudibranch? How many did you add, to what size tank, life span, behavior, eggs etc etc?
 
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