Nedibranchs
- Thread starter puffer21
- Start date
DirtyHermit
New member
Nudibranches. 
Re: Nedibranchs
Puffer21, there are numerous possibilities what those specks could be.
1. Are the specks visible on the cuticle, ( the outer skin ) of the polyp when it is closed/retracted?
2. Is the polyp a zoanthid or a palythoas?
3. Many palythoas have small particles of sand, sediment and reef debris embedded within their outer skin. Often very visible with some, hard to see in others.
4. Are the speck on the oral disc, ( the round flat top ) portion of the polyp, when they are fully expanded?
5. If you have a magnifying glass, take a very close look and see if the specks are embedded or on the other skin
6. Are they specks or pustules?
7. Are they white, opaque or a creamy yellow color?
8. Also, specks are a common characteristic in many polyps and it could very well be harmless if that is the case.
9. If it is a speck, and it's not moving, it's not a nudibranch. Juvi nudis will have some tint, but not white. At least I have never seen a white one.
10. Even a nudi egg will appear to be a half curled, half moon shaped piece of white thread 1/16 to 1/8". Here's a magnified shot of a nudibranch eggs sack with 46 babies just waiting to be born.
11. I agree will Delsol650 that often lighting will have an affect which can cause speckling.
I hope this helps.
Mucho Reef
Puffer21, there are numerous possibilities what those specks could be.
1. Are the specks visible on the cuticle, ( the outer skin ) of the polyp when it is closed/retracted?
2. Is the polyp a zoanthid or a palythoas?
3. Many palythoas have small particles of sand, sediment and reef debris embedded within their outer skin. Often very visible with some, hard to see in others.
4. Are the speck on the oral disc, ( the round flat top ) portion of the polyp, when they are fully expanded?
5. If you have a magnifying glass, take a very close look and see if the specks are embedded or on the other skin
6. Are they specks or pustules?
7. Are they white, opaque or a creamy yellow color?
8. Also, specks are a common characteristic in many polyps and it could very well be harmless if that is the case.
9. If it is a speck, and it's not moving, it's not a nudibranch. Juvi nudis will have some tint, but not white. At least I have never seen a white one.
10. Even a nudi egg will appear to be a half curled, half moon shaped piece of white thread 1/16 to 1/8". Here's a magnified shot of a nudibranch eggs sack with 46 babies just waiting to be born.
11. I agree will Delsol650 that often lighting will have an affect which can cause speckling.
I hope this helps.
Mucho Reef
