Ercolania endophytophaga

[Peter Houde]

I am surprised no one has posted anything about Ercolania endophytophaga. It's an extremely small nudibranch that lives inside of Valonia and devours it from the inside out (see https://reefidbooks.com/sea-slug-inside-bubble-algae/). I don't have a bubble algae problem, but one pops up every now and then so there must be more hidden away somewhere I can't see them. I'd love to introduce this nudibranch into my aquarium. It is reported from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland as well as western Australia, the Philippines (Anilao), and Okinawa Japan. Does anyone know a commercial resource for it. Is anyone game to become a resource for it?

 

[mcarroll]

I see no mention of "Valonia" algae with respect to these guys......but I also know that's a guess at the ID of your algae. The algae they target is in another Family.

 

[mcarroll]

I am surprised no one has posted anything about Ercolania endophytophaga. It's an extremely small nudibranch that lives inside of Valonia and devours it from the inside out (see https://reefidbooks.com/sea-slug-inside-bubble-algae/). I don't have a bubble algae problem, but one pops up every now and then so there must be more hidden away somewhere I can't see them. I'd love to introduce this nudibranch into my aquarium. It is reported from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland as well as western Australia, the Philippines (Anilao), and Okinawa Japan. Does anyone know a commercial resource for it. Is anyone game to become a resource for it?

Forgot to mention that's still a cool find!

They are not the only kleptoplasts out there, BTW. And this is the first one folks have thought about using for control....but apparently they don't eat much of it, just enough to become solar powered, then they go on about their business. Not a great control option.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kleptoplasty