black nudibranchs in my tank! are they bad?

[grimreefer1]

Hi
With the live rock and all that I received on Friday, 2 black nudibranchs have appeared. Since I didn't know I would be getting these, I haven't researched them. Are these beneficial to have in my tank? or do they pose a threat? They are certainly fascinating to watch - they are the blackest black I have ever seen and they have a sort of frilly skirt.

 

[jdeets]

I have recently discovered a nudi in my tank. This thread has some links to pics, etc. http://www.reefs.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=026580

They are generally harmless. Unfortunately, unless they can find the right things to eat, they may not survive. See if you can ID it and determine what it's eating. In my case, I think it's been eating scypha sponges. However, I'm not sure if my tank is going to produce enough to sustain him in the long haul.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd have to question whether you have an actual Nudibranch or rather a Scutus sp. which commonly hitchhike in on live rock. These are either black with a white slit ( which is their shell ) or all black. Here's a pic of 1 out of about 500 in my tanks.

BTW they are harmless algae and diatom feeders though occasionally they'll munch on sponge.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[grimreefer1]

Thanks David,
It looks like an all black Scutus! If it eats algae, that's fine with me!
-Darcy

 

[Mike Parkis]

Check out this link http://www.seaslugforum.net/scutus.htm#m1228 This is what my hitch hikers turned oout to be. Hope it helps.

 

[Coraltank]

David,do these Scutus ship well?Since they come on live rock I imagine they do.Ever consider selling a couple of them?