Hitchhiker ID Sea Slug?

[Colton Lee]

I found this in a specimen cup after dipping a new coral. I've posted this on multiple website forums and no one seems to have a clue. Its been 19 days and the little fella is still alive in the cup. I also searched the nudibranch websites and looked through hundreds but found nothing similar. Friend or foe?

 

[kharmaguru]

New one to me.

19 days on nothing? nanobot.

 

[reefing102]

About how big is it? Any chance of a pic under a microscope?

 

[Colton Lee]

About how big is it? Any chance of a pic under a microscope?

I'll try to get it under the microscope tomorrow, but I'd say it's copepod size. Its no bigger than a millimeter. Maybe .75 millimeter.

 

[griss]

Wow, no wonder you’re having trouble getting a good picture. Curious to see where this goes.

 

[reefing102]

I'll try to get it under the microscope tomorrow, but I'd say it's copepod size. Its no bigger than a millimeter. Maybe .75 millimeter.

Dang that’s a tiny bugger

 

[kharmaguru]

Wow, no wonder you’re having trouble getting a good picture. Curious to see where this goes.

Lol, I thought the picture was great. How many days without food is this now?

 

[griss]

Lol, I thought the picture was great. How many days without food is this now?

By good, I meant closer with more detail. But, you’re right, for the size of the slug they are good pics.

 

[Colton Lee]

Lol, I thought the picture was great. How many days without food is this now?

Today is day 20. And I was hoping it would grow so it would be easier to see. But I guess that'd be hard to do if you're starving.

 

[griss]

Maybe put some macros or nori in to see if it’s an algae eater????

 

[Colton Lee]

Maybe put some macros or nori in to see if it’s an algae eater????

I actually did put some nori in at the beginning, but I really hadn't noticed it eating any. Could be a possibility since that seems to be the only food source. Unless its photosynthetic, which I'm not sure if any sea slugs or similar creatures like that are.

 

[griss]

I actually did put some nori in at the beginning, but I really hadn't noticed it eating any. Could be a possibility since that seems to be the only food source. Unless its photosynthetic, which I'm not sure if any sea slugs or similar creatures like that are.

Some do have some photosynthetic abilities, example: Lettuce Nudibranchs. That said, I don't believe those can survive solely on photosynthesis.