What is it?? Slug, Nudibranch, Flatworm?

[shibumi]

I'm just trying to find out what this guy is - and - if he is reef safe - or a coral eater:

Pictures are here on My Flickr Page

If he's a good guy, I'd like to get him back in the tank asap (already been out and sitting in a cup for 4 hours!!) - hence my urgency.

Thanks again for the help!

P.S. Somebody has already suggested that I try the Sea Slug Forum , but unfortunately they've stopped taking new messages until they return in October!!

 

[BlueCorn]

[moved]

 

[kmk2307]

[welcome]

It is some sort of sea slug but I'm afraid that is all I can tell you. When did you get it? On live rock?

I would start looking around the sea slug forum species list and seeing if you can narrow it down. I'm sorry I can't be more help.

http://www.seaslugforum.net/specieslist.cfm

I doubt it eats corals in general. It probably a specialist on one or a few species of sponges or one or a few species of other sessile invertebrates. You might get lucky and it is just an algae eater. If you decide to get rid of it, you should consider donating it to the invertebrate zoology collection of a university (such as mine!).

HTH,
Kevin

 

[charlesr1958]

Possibly a Dendrodoris elongata
http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=dendelon

Chuck

 

[WinkeyWoneye]

At first I thought flatworm but looking at the close-up pic makes me think a type of nudibrach as it has rhinophores (tentacles) that look very similiar to those of most nudibranch. I dont usually link sites on other sites but check here http://www.seaslugforum.net/
That site is run by the Australian Museum and Bill Rudman, the guy who answers all the messages is very very knowledgable. I would first check the long species list to see if you can find a picture of your mystery slug. If not, on the left hand side click "Send Message" and give them a verbal discription of appearance and behaviors of your creature. Plus you can upload up to 3 pics with your message. I'm almost certain they can help you with your ID. It may take a couple days for your message to be answered or posted, if they do not post it they will respond to you via email. Hope this helps and good luck with your ID. They helped me ID my baby Elysia crispata that hitchhiked on my merman's brush.

LOL didnt see your P.S., yes Bill went on vacation but it looks as if there are others there pluggin away and replying to messages. Could try, you wont know until you do! As for being urgent I would go to the LFS and buy a small isolation cup/tank that hangs off the top of your aquarium into the water. This will keep the specimen in temp controlled water atleast, until you can make a positive ID. If its so small that it will slip thru the cracks of the iso-tank, use a fine mesh net or nylon screen rinsed well and wrap it around the slits in your iso-tank, secure it with wire ties. Just make sure you rinse the materials (nylon screen and wire ties)well before sticking them into your tank.

 

[kmk2307]

Good job, Chuck! It looks like Dendrodoris elongata to me too. Seems it is in fact a sponge feeder.

Kevin

 

[charlesr1958]

I only knew that since I have collected a few of those myself here and the credit should go to Leslie for Id'ing the one I had...in other words, I got lucky...lol

Chuck

 

[shibumi]

Good eye

Good eye

Thanks so much Chuck and everybody. It really looks like the picture at the web page.

Now the big question ... Should I keep it or should I donate it to the University?

I am just afraid, it will eat my corals.

What do you guys think?

Thanks again,

 

[LeslieH]

Dendrodoris elongata is a sponge eater. It won't touch your corals. In fact, if the particular sponge(s) that it eats aren't in your tank it's not going to live very long.

 

[shibumi]

Sad news

Sad news

We put the little creature back in the tank but the next day it got suck in the filter and died. I gues it was to weak to fight.

Thanks for the information anyway.

 

[WinkeyWoneye]

Yeah if it makes you feel any better, I came home yesterday to find my Elysia's head stuck to the glass and the rest of his body gone... I assume either a crab didnt like him, or he got sucked into a powerhead. I've been looking all this morning for the remaining head because they can regenerate if the head and organs(located just past neck) are still attached. It was crawling around all last night until the lights went off.