Caribbean Biotope Seagrass Tank
- Thread starter Michael Hoaster
- Start date
No, sam.basye, I haven't been able to ID the sea hares. I have looked to no avail. I do know that most nudibranchs are very specialized in their choice of food. Many only eat one thing. Not knowing if it specializes in eating caulerpa racemosa or all caulerpas, I'd call it a Caulerpa Sea Hare. It doesn't even eat ulva.
I'm not sure how big they get, McPuff, as I caught the biggest ones first, to prevent more reproduction, and they were easier to spot. The biggest one I saw was around an inch and a half. I suspect they get bigger.
I would guess mine reproduced (and survived) because they had a plentiful source of food. If I could have ID-ed them, I may have been able to find their natural predators. No such luck, so I get to play that role.
It is pretty cool when something lays eggs in your tank, but thousands of anything, in the confines of an aquarium, is likely to throw off the balance of the ecosystem, or at least destroy a plant you'd like to keep. So, like the Atlantic Blue Tang I had before, these guys have to go. I could just let them exhaust their food supply and crash, but I was hoping to hold onto a fragment or two of the caulerpa to grow it back. We'll see how it goes.
I'm not sure how big they get, McPuff, as I caught the biggest ones first, to prevent more reproduction, and they were easier to spot. The biggest one I saw was around an inch and a half. I suspect they get bigger.
I would guess mine reproduced (and survived) because they had a plentiful source of food. If I could have ID-ed them, I may have been able to find their natural predators. No such luck, so I get to play that role.
It is pretty cool when something lays eggs in your tank, but thousands of anything, in the confines of an aquarium, is likely to throw off the balance of the ecosystem, or at least destroy a plant you'd like to keep. So, like the Atlantic Blue Tang I had before, these guys have to go. I could just let them exhaust their food supply and crash, but I was hoping to hold onto a fragment or two of the caulerpa to grow it back. We'll see how it goes.
sam.basye
New member
Isn't this it??
Oxynoe antillarum
https://featuredcreature.com/the-caulerpa-slug-is-the-little-green-martian-of-the-sea-slug-world/
Oxynoe antillarum
https://featuredcreature.com/the-caulerpa-slug-is-the-little-green-martian-of-the-sea-slug-world/
Uh, yeah, Sam, that's it! Wow, you found it! Thank you!
Now that I know the species name I can find out more. I found a similar one that also photosynthesizes, but it looks more like a leaf. I must have been using the wrong key words or something. I think I used sea hare and nudibranch. Did you use sea slug? Wish I'd have thought of that. I was pretty close on the common name. Caulerpa Slug. Now I've got to go see what else I can find out about it! Yay!
Now that I know the species name I can find out more. I found a similar one that also photosynthesizes, but it looks more like a leaf. I must have been using the wrong key words or something. I think I used sea hare and nudibranch. Did you use sea slug? Wish I'd have thought of that. I was pretty close on the common name. Caulerpa Slug. Now I've got to go see what else I can find out about it! Yay!
sam.basye
New member
I typed in "green sea slug" in Google, went to images, then scrolled down till I found a green half slug, half nassarius snail. Lol
Took all of about 1 min.. Haha
Strange little creatures. Pretty cool they can photosynthesize. It would be really cool if you had some of those leaf shaped ones!
Hey! You could potentially make some big $$ off those little suckers!
I'm sure there are a ton of people who regret adding caulerpa that would pay good money for a few of those...
Took all of about 1 min.. Haha
Strange little creatures. Pretty cool they can photosynthesize. It would be really cool if you had some of those leaf shaped ones!
Hey! You could potentially make some big $$ off those little suckers!
I'm sure there are a ton of people who regret adding caulerpa that would pay good money for a few of those...
Thanks, guys! Wow, I should have posted a pic sooner! That's why I love these forums. We all see things from different angles, and discussion leads to breakthroughs. I can't count how many times I've been stumped and had someone throw out something I'd never thought of. After having no luck with my own research, I'd given up hope of IDing my Caulerpa Slugs. Now, after following sam.basye's request to post a pic, he found it in seconds!
I look forward to learning more about theses creatures. I'm also curious to see if any of my deductions were correct. While I love to research stuff, I also like to observe and deduce. Stay tuned!
I look forward to learning more about theses creatures. I'm also curious to see if any of my deductions were correct. While I love to research stuff, I also like to observe and deduce. Stay tuned!
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sam.basye
New member
What would be cool is if you could sustain a manageable number of the slugs like you had with little Zippy to the caulerpa.
You'd think there would be a lot more info on them and that they were more common since they reproduce like crazy.
I'm kinda curious to know if they can completely wipe out caulerpa..
You should set up a small control tank!
You'd think there would be a lot more info on them and that they were more common since they reproduce like crazy.
I'm kinda curious to know if they can completely wipe out caulerpa..
You should set up a small control tank!
That would be cool, Sam! I wish it worked that way.
From my experience, it looks like they could wipe out caulerpa. I have very little left. If left unchecked, I'm sure they would have finished it off. What I don't know is whether they would have completely eradicated it. My guess is that they pretty much would, then they would die off, and maybe months later, the caulerpa would come back. That very well may be what happened when I first added it to the tank on startup. Now that I recall, I did see a slug way back then!
From my experience, it looks like they could wipe out caulerpa. I have very little left. If left unchecked, I'm sure they would have finished it off. What I don't know is whether they would have completely eradicated it. My guess is that they pretty much would, then they would die off, and maybe months later, the caulerpa would come back. That very well may be what happened when I first added it to the tank on startup. Now that I recall, I did see a slug way back then!
Where were the little suckers, when I was ripping caulerpa out by the bucketful?
I've done some reading on the Caulerpa Slug. Apparently predators avoid them because exude yucky stuff and they are poisonous to eat. Also they aren't nudibranchs, they are sea slugs, which I thought were just a subgroup of nudibranchs. They're not. They have been looked at by scientists as a possible biocontrol of caulerpa in the Mediterranean.
I can see how some aquarists might love having them to control caulerpa. Ironically the best way to obtain some would be to buy more caulerpa! Or find some unlucky shmuck like me to sell them some. Honestly, I don't think I'd be interested in bothering.
On another subject, I think I've come around to figuring out that my supposed diatom bloom is actually dinoflagellates. Sure looks like it. I did a little reading and it appears excess nitrogenous compounds are a likely contributor. My ammonia dosing probably did that. The new, bulb, which was brighter than the previous one seemed to exacerbate the problem. Low pH is a contributor as well. With CO2 injection, I likely have that. There is also a large amount of conflicting information.
I've taken a few basic measures to get rid of it: I put the old bulb back in, while I wait for the new 7500K one. With dimmer light, I'm already seeing a reduction. I also moved some ulva back into the tank to help suck up nutrients. I added some baking soda to raise the pH. Also I've manually removed large quantities of it with a net.
I'll continue to study up on it. And of course, I'm open to suggests.
I've done some reading on the Caulerpa Slug. Apparently predators avoid them because exude yucky stuff and they are poisonous to eat. Also they aren't nudibranchs, they are sea slugs, which I thought were just a subgroup of nudibranchs. They're not. They have been looked at by scientists as a possible biocontrol of caulerpa in the Mediterranean.
I can see how some aquarists might love having them to control caulerpa. Ironically the best way to obtain some would be to buy more caulerpa! Or find some unlucky shmuck like me to sell them some. Honestly, I don't think I'd be interested in bothering.
On another subject, I think I've come around to figuring out that my supposed diatom bloom is actually dinoflagellates. Sure looks like it. I did a little reading and it appears excess nitrogenous compounds are a likely contributor. My ammonia dosing probably did that. The new, bulb, which was brighter than the previous one seemed to exacerbate the problem. Low pH is a contributor as well. With CO2 injection, I likely have that. There is also a large amount of conflicting information.
I've taken a few basic measures to get rid of it: I put the old bulb back in, while I wait for the new 7500K one. With dimmer light, I'm already seeing a reduction. I also moved some ulva back into the tank to help suck up nutrients. I added some baking soda to raise the pH. Also I've manually removed large quantities of it with a net.
I'll continue to study up on it. And of course, I'm open to suggests.
sam.basye
New member
With Dino's, I'm 85% sure that they are primarily affected by light, not as much nutrients/ammonia. Especially when you can do a 3 to 4 day blackout and they disappear. If I have the lights on too long, like full sunset to sunrise, I'd get bad Dino's, but my lighting from 2pm to 10pm seems to be the sweet spot for my tank to not get any.. obviously intensity will also factor in, which is probably why the new bulb is giving you them.
How long is your lighting cycle?
One thing I've noticed is the amount of Ill information of hobbiests regarding Dinoflangelates.. the majority think because it looks similar to Cyano, that's what it is, so a lot of people misidentify it and don't understand why it won't go away. That's something I noticed a while back when I first got Dino's and a plethora of morons insisted I had Cyano..
How long is your lighting cycle?
One thing I've noticed is the amount of Ill information of hobbiests regarding Dinoflangelates.. the majority think because it looks similar to Cyano, that's what it is, so a lot of people misidentify it and don't understand why it won't go away. That's something I noticed a while back when I first got Dino's and a plethora of morons insisted I had Cyano..
OK, the light factor seems to be pretty important. My limited experience seems to confirm it. Thanks for sharing, Sam! I also read the 3-4 day blackout was very helpful, so I'll probably give that a try as well.
My lights are on 14 hours a day.
"a plethora of morons" It just rolls off the tongue. Love it!
I think the new light, plus my using ammonia like a gas pedal are the key factors that led to this.
My lights are on 14 hours a day.
"a plethora of morons" It just rolls off the tongue. Love it!
I think the new light, plus my using ammonia like a gas pedal are the key factors that led to this.
Chasmodes
Well-known member
LMAO. That's why I don't post unless I have some sort of clue...it's a wonder my post count isn't zero!
BTW, it wasn't me
I'm starting a three day blackout today, to see if I can rid myself of dinos. My gorgonian has been closed up more lately, due to being coated with them. Not cool! I've read that they are also toxic to animals that eat them, and can kill snails. I have noticed a reduction in mini strombus snails lately, and my single molly has been off for weeks.
It's so great to have an algae phase again. What else can go wrong!!!!
I'll be turning the light on for an hour or so to hunt slugs and nems. I AM RELENTLESS. I WILL NOT FAIL. It's going to work. I drink a little hot tea and crank up the obsessive-compulsive behavior! I am now quite familiar with every nook and cranny of my tank…
It's so great to have an algae phase again. What else can go wrong!!!!
I'll be turning the light on for an hour or so to hunt slugs and nems. I AM RELENTLESS. I WILL NOT FAIL. It's going to work. I drink a little hot tea and crank up the obsessive-compulsive behavior! I am now quite familiar with every nook and cranny of my tank…
Chasmodes
Well-known member
Good luck getting rid of the dinos. Sounds like a good plan. I guess your observation time is limited to your one hour too, unless you observe with a red-light and look for the creatures of the night. Do you ever do that?
:lolspin::bounce2: I laughed when I read this, made me thing of you in a super hero costume heading out to fight crime! I guess I watch TV too much. Are you noticing the numbers dropping every day? If the numbers keep dropping, then that is good incentive to keep up the good work. Hang in there!
:lolspin::bounce2: I laughed when I read this, made me thing of you in a super hero costume heading out to fight crime! I guess I watch TV too much. Are you noticing the numbers dropping every day? If the numbers keep dropping, then that is good incentive to keep up the good work. Hang in there!
I got 52 slugs out today, and five nems. I turned the lights back out afterwards. Strange that the slug number went up. I wonder how big they have to get to lay eggs. Maybe just more were visible today. I may be on the brink of eradicating the nems.
Super hero? That is pretty funny! Substitute the ghost in the ghostbuster logo with a nem and slug, and we're good to go! But perhaps Angel of Death is more fitting. You know why? Because I AM RELENTLESS. I WILL NOT FAIL.
The nem numbers are dropping for sure. I am X-ing even the tiniest, most insignificant ones. IT'S GOING TO WORK.
I think the dino situation shouldn't be too hard to fix (said every poor, miserable aquarist in this same situation before me). I'll keep studying up on them. I like to sift through all the conflicting information and look for a consensus. I also look for articles written by known authorities in the hobby.
Thanks Kevin. I will hang in there. My tank is still thriving and growing. You'd think it was in dire straits by my recent posts! I just want to address these problems and resolve them, before the next phase of new additions. Can't wait!
Super hero? That is pretty funny! Substitute the ghost in the ghostbuster logo with a nem and slug, and we're good to go! But perhaps Angel of Death is more fitting. You know why? Because I AM RELENTLESS. I WILL NOT FAIL.
The nem numbers are dropping for sure. I am X-ing even the tiniest, most insignificant ones. IT'S GOING TO WORK.
I think the dino situation shouldn't be too hard to fix (said every poor, miserable aquarist in this same situation before me). I'll keep studying up on them. I like to sift through all the conflicting information and look for a consensus. I also look for articles written by known authorities in the hobby.
Thanks Kevin. I will hang in there. My tank is still thriving and growing. You'd think it was in dire straits by my recent posts! I just want to address these problems and resolve them, before the next phase of new additions. Can't wait!
Thanks for the advice McPuff. Reducing the photoperiod is an option I'm considering.
The problem is the new bulb is too yellow-even for me. I've got a 7500K bulb on the way, I'm hoping will be just the ticket. Yes, my tank's inhabitants are having to readjust to the dimmer light, but the brighter one was even more of an adjustment. It bleached out my plants and may have been the dino-trigger. Going back to the slightly dimmer bulb seemed to help with the dino-situation. Plus it has the same lumen output as the incoming bulb. If the dinos come back after the blackout and the other measures, I may reduce the photoperiod. I'll keep it in my back pocket.
The problem is the new bulb is too yellow-even for me. I've got a 7500K bulb on the way, I'm hoping will be just the ticket. Yes, my tank's inhabitants are having to readjust to the dimmer light, but the brighter one was even more of an adjustment. It bleached out my plants and may have been the dino-trigger. Going back to the slightly dimmer bulb seemed to help with the dino-situation. Plus it has the same lumen output as the incoming bulb. If the dinos come back after the blackout and the other measures, I may reduce the photoperiod. I'll keep it in my back pocket.
I'm still reading up on dinoflagellates. I think probably the main reason for all the conflicting information (besides the plethora of morons), is that there are more than one kind of dino out there. Isn't that fun?
So, where one guy fixes it with a blackout, another has no success with it. Raising pH works for one, fails for another, and so on. I'm trying several things and will evaluate, after the blackout. If I can narrow down what works and what doesn't, I should be good. I'm hoping my natural methods of system management will help as well.
So, where one guy fixes it with a blackout, another has no success with it. Raising pH works for one, fails for another, and so on. I'm trying several things and will evaluate, after the blackout. If I can narrow down what works and what doesn't, I should be good. I'm hoping my natural methods of system management will help as well.
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