Nudibranchs in the Reef Aquarium

May 23, 1999
From: Theresa Coulter

Can anyone tell me if there are nudibranchs that are safe to keep in a reef tank with soft and hard corals and anemones, etc.? I am new to the world of nudibranchs and would love to have some in my tank but I can't seem to find out if they will eat my reef! Also, when they feed on a coral, does it kill the coral or is there some reciprocal relationship between the two that "feeds" the nudibranch yet doesn't harm it's host?

Thank you,
Theresa Coulter
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

diverpig@aol.com

Coulter, T., 1999 (May 23) Nudibranchs in the Reef Aquarium. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/880

Dear Theresa,
I'm afraid there is no simple answer to your question. Most nudibranchs have very specialised diets and most of their preferred foods are difficult to keep alive in aquaria. If you want more information on feeding go to the Search the Forum page and type in food or feeding and you will get a list of pages with relevant information.

On your specific question about eating your corals and soft-corals. I'm afraid there is no gentle way to be eaten. If a coral-eating nudibranch eats enough of a coral colony, the coral will die.

Best wishes,
bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 1999 (May 23). Comment on Nudibranchs in the Reef Aquarium by Theresa Coulter. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/880

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