nudibranch ?

[RonD]

what are the nudibranchs called that eat other nudibranchs

thanks RonD

 

[HBtank]

"nudibranch eating nudibranchs"

 

[RonD]

you just couldnt resist could you?

knock knock

 

[pagojoe]

Some of the ones that are known to eat other nudibranchs, even to the point of cannibalism, are Gymnodoris species. i.e.:

http://www.seaslugforum.net/display.cfm?id=1319

The cephalaspids, which aren't really nudibranchs, also contain species that may eat nudibranchs (Navanax and possibly related genera).

http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=navainer

I'm sure Leslie can give you a more comprehensive list of nudibranch-eaters than I can, maybe she'll chime in soon.

Cheers,



Don

 

[greenbean36191]

Roboastra is the genus that really comes to my mind when I think of nudibranch eating nudibranchs.

 

[RonD]

the next part I should have put in my question is are they reef safe and will they eat anything else

 

[LeslieH]

Depends on the species. Roboastra and Gymnodoris are specialists that only eat other nudibranchs. Some cephalapids like Navanax or Philine might be specialists (some will eat only certain polychaetes or flatworms) or generalists that might take other slugs. I guess you could call them reef safe in that these won't touch the corals that most reefers are concerned about.

I think the only nudibranchs bred for the aquarium trade are the Aiptasia eaters Aeolidiella stephanieae (commonly and incorrectly known as Berghia). Mike will know more about this. The others usually appear as hitch-hikers at LFS.

Why are you asking - Are you having a problem with nudibranchs causing problems in your tanks?

 

[RonD]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11984139#post11984139 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LeslieH


Why are you asking - Are you having a problem with nudibranchs causing problems in your tanks?

yes that is why I am asking and thank you all for your responses. I did a 15 min fresh water dip the other day and it did get rid of a majority of them but they are resilient lil beggars.
I have gone the fish route and they dont really get them. Fish route via a couple green sea grass wrasse's and a yellow banana / cori wrasse as well.

 

[greenbean36191]

You're unlikely to find a nudibranch that feeds on your pests. Most of the predators are still very picky about their prey. Plus there's the availability issue. There aren't a whole lot of slugs available in the hobby and I would be extremely surprised if a collector could find the right slug on request. I've hunted for a few specific slugs for years without ever finding them.

Wrasses and some crustaceans are probably the only natural predators for these guys and almost certainly the only ones you'll find in the hobby.

 

[LeslieH]

I've never seen a post that mentioned a really successful natural predator. People who manage to get rid of the problem nudis do frequent dips, manual removal, and inspections to make sure they get rid of the egg ribbons as well as the adults.

 

[RonD]

thanks so much for all your help everyone. what is the scientific name for these lil guys so I can learn a little more about them.. life cycle, how big of a gun I am gonna need etc

http://www.melevsreef.com/id/dc_nudibranch.html

 

[LeslieH]

They're undescribed. You'll find a couple of posts about them on the Sea Slug Forum. Here's one to start you off: http://www.seaslugforum.net/display.cfm?id=18140