Nudibranch Hitchhiker on Sponge

[rowjimmy]

I just picked up a Blue Photosynthetic Sponge (Collospongia sp.), and I found a nudibranch crawling on the sponge. I removed the nudibranch and isolated it cause I don't want it to kill the sponge I bought. I know nudis are specialized feeders, and it is probably feeding on it (but I'm not positive). It is very beautiful, and I'd hate to kill it if i didn't have to.

Anyone have any info on this nudibranch? Here are pictures of the sponge and nudibranch in question:

 

[pagojoe]

It looks to be an aeolid nudibranch, but my standby site, the Seaslug Forum, is having problems and I can't seem to pull up the pages for a comparison. I don't think it's a sponge eater. Some of them feed on soft corals, some on anemones and other things, and some eat other nudibranchs, I believe. I'm out of my area of expertise (such as it is), so maybe one of the slug experts will chime in. My guess is that it isn't a threat to your new sponge.

Cheers,



Don

 

[rowjimmy]

It looks to be an aeolid nudibranch, but my standby site, the Seaslug Forum, is having problems and I can't seem to pull up the pages for a comparison. I don't think it's a sponge eater. Some of them feed on soft corals, some on anemones and other things, and some eat other nudibranchs, I believe. I'm out of my area of expertise (such as it is), so maybe one of the slug experts will chime in. My guess is that it isn't a threat to your new sponge.

Cheers,



Don

Thanks for the info Don. It's nice to know that it probably isn't a threat to my sponge. I accidently knocked the specimen cup I had the nudibranch in back into my tank, so he is alive and roaming my reef once again. I didn't want to kill it anyway...it is a beautiful specimen. I'll keep my eye on it. Thanks again.

 

[dalston]

It's a little tough to see but does it look like this?

http://www.nudipixel.net/photo/00004483/

 

[Jojoyojimbi]

It's a little tough to see but does it look like this?

http://www.nudipixel.net/photo/00004483/

if it is, then it seems to be vegetarian

http://www.seaslugforum.net/display.cfm?id=7753

also check this out

http://www.seaslugforum.net/display.cfm?id=17666

 

[Jojoyojimbi]

well it could also be Stiliger aureomarginatus

but it'd still be a vegetarian

 

[rowjimmy]

dalston I think you've nailed it! That's the closest ID to what I have that I've seen to date. It looks exactly like that... the only difference in mine is that the head and lower body are a bright blue color. The black upper body with fluorescent orange gills are spot on identical to the link you provided. Thank you!

Jojoyojimbi I hope you are correct and that the specimen I have is a vegetarian. It is so beautiful I would hate to see it slowly starve in my system due to lack of proper food.

 

[rowjimmy]

Got a 100% positive ID on this guy (credit goes to Boomer on New Jersey Reefer's Club). It is Stiliger aureomarginatus.

http://www.seaslugforum.net/display.cfm?id=21102

 

[mickey204]

man, that little guy is gorgeous!