Sea slug????

[MeVsTheWorld]

I tried getting pics, but they are so small it looks like tiny red dots. I just recently noticed them. They are around 1/16" maybe 3/32" long, and are solid red. They look like the typical nudi/slug, but they don't have the frilly patch on they're rear end. I have seen at least 20+ of these things on liverock and floating in the water column. Any help would be greatly appreciated, and thanks for looking.

No They Are Not Flatworms

 

[DiscoReefRover]

pictures would help ?? sounds like a flatworm to me very common these days

 

[itZme]

Your description sure sounds like flatworms to me too.

Here's a pic from melevsreef.com

 

[greenbean36191]

Another possibility since you think they aren't flatworms is Vayssierea felis, which is a small red nudibranch that feeds on spirorbid worms and occasionally makes an appearance in the hobby.

We really need a picture to have a good chance of making an ID.

 

[MeVsTheWorld]

Itzme: that is definitely not it, thanx!

greenbean: That looks exactly identical with the exception of mine being solid red/orange. They are really small and at this point with my P&S camera it is not possible for me to get a quality picture.

 

[dendro982]

Sounds like flatworms.
Seaslugs are obligate feeders on things that we don't have in our tanks, more of that - their food is not available in the trade. I tried.

 

[greenbean36191]

V. felis is usually solid reddish orange. You only see the bright red spots if you use high lighting and magnification.

 

[MeVsTheWorld]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15009171#post15009171 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by greenbean36191
V. felis is usually solid reddish orange. You only see the bright red spots if you use high lighting and magnification.

This is definitely what they are http://www.umiushi.info/HTML_eng/Vayssiereafelis.html just as you suggested. Quote from the sea slug forum "They all feed on spirorbid or similar tube worms" It's good to know they will not be after my corals. Thanx for your time and input greenbean.

 

[Elysia]

Here is the link to the seaslug forum, if anyone is interested:

http://www.seaslugforum.net/showall.cfm?base=vaysfeli

The fact that they have direct development should mean that your population will grow. (The red "dots" are apparently eggs.) They are awesome little nudis. Perhaps the answer to those who hate spirorbids.

 

[MeVsTheWorld]

Greenbean and Elysia these are for you. I managed to scoop one up that was floating in the water column. Here are the best my camera will do. I hope you like

THANX,
Bill

 

[pagojoe]

Hmmm, direct developers that eat spirorbids? You should go into the Vayssierea business...

Cheers,



Don

 

[MeVsTheWorld]

Thanx Joe, would you like some ?

 

[pagojoe]

LOL no, they'd die in my tank, but I bet you wouldn't have to advertise them much. I see about ten "how can I get rid of tubeworms" posts a day. Cool find.

 

[Elysia]

Those are very good photos, considering the size of the animals and your point and shoot cameras. So many people decide to kill their slugs before they identify them -- glad you waited! They are actually attractive little things (but I like slugs!)

 

[MeVsTheWorld]

Thanx, and yeah, I'm glad I waited

 

[mollymonticello]

I wonder if they would eat ornamental worms of the genus Protula?

If you want to keep your Spirorbid population going for slug food, I'd recommend feeding Phytoplankton.

 

[princesuhaib]

I think you got a nudibranch

 

[greenbean36191]

No, they don't eat ornamental worms, only spirorbids.