Nudibranches & community fish

Keri · #1 12-17-2008, 04:59 AM

Mmmmm...! "tastes like poison"

Yeah, I'd store her in the sump where he can't be tempted just to nibble.

my2rotties · #2 12-17-2008, 05:28 AM

I had hubby drill tons of holes in a tuperware container and she is in my sump until the LFS opens tomorrow. Can't put her in the refugium since the zebra mantis would whack her too...

Thanks guys, I knew she was a bad idea the second I saw her in the bag. It's the thought that counts right? I will trade her for a Goby or Flame Angel or something...

Keri · #3 12-17-2008, 05:33 AM

It's totally the thought that counts

I'm sure they thought it was a fabulous addition - and I bet she's cool looking! Can you take a pic before you bring her back?

my2rotties · #4 12-17-2008, 05:57 AM

Its an awful picture of her in a bucker so be warned. I also only have an iphone to take pictures with so they are not always the best quality. She is gorgeous but I cannot believe the survive in the wild. They look like lures. That is why I thought for sure they are a deadly slug of some sorts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keri

It's totally the thought that counts

I'm sure they thought it was a fabulous addition - and I bet she's cool looking! Can you take a pic before you bring her back?

Keri · #5 12-17-2008, 06:06 AM

Scroll down and check out pic "E"... I'm sure there is a toxic reason they do not get eaten!!

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

Thanks for the pic!!

GreenSpottedPuffer · #6 12-17-2008, 06:33 AM

Yup the color says POISON!!! to anything that is tempted to eat it but I still wouldn't trust a puffer to stay away

The tupperware is a great idea.

moldrik · #7 12-17-2008, 07:27 AM

Nudibranches are the most incredible thing in the wild. Specially when you actually spot one because they tend to be so small and hiding in the craziest places. And then you see it beautifully moving around and really get an appreciation for this amazing animal.

I wish I had the balls to start a tank with them. They are so awesome.

GreenSpottedPuffer · #8 12-17-2008, 07:42 AM

Are there many species suited to aquarium life? Any that are easily "IDable" and have easy enough care/food requirements?

justinl · #9 12-17-2008, 08:04 AM

unfortunately, I can almost guarantee that that thing will be dead in a short amount of time, regardless of where you put it. Nudibranchs are often very highly specialized predators and many feed on single species of prey. hydroids, cnidarians, sponges and bryozoans for the most part. There are a couple that *could* survive in captivity... a guy on RC had success, but it was a) ugly as sin as far as nudibranchs go, b) required the kind of tank that nudis all need (all intakes covered in sponge or something, very carefully selected cohabitants... which would definitely exclude puffers and mantids) and most importantly of all c) food. The species the guy chose was one that he knew ate a certain species of abundant sponge that he could easily collect from his doorstep by snorkeling. so if you're willing to jump through flaming hoops of TNT and wrestle a bear, you may be the kind of person who is fit to care for a nudibranch long term! long story sort, if it were me, I would just kill it now and keep it from killing your tank.

of course, then there's the always lovable zoo and monti eating aeolids which would be relatively easy (but very expensive) to keep... if you're into that kind of thing.

I agree. fascinating and mostly gorgeous animals, but really should be left where we found them: in the ocean.