Giant Yellow Slug???

[liudachris]

3 year old SPS dominant tank, first time seeing this guy.

I have not added any live rock in the last 2 years. So I'm assuming he's been with me for at least this long.

This thing is about 2-3 inches long. I've had 2 random fish deaths about a year ago (gramma and a fairy wrasse). no missing inverts (clams, urchins, conches). I'm hoping he's a net neutral at the worst. If anyone can identify him, that would be awesome.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

neat!

 

[Macropharyngodon]

3 year old SPS dominant tank, first time seeing this guy.

I have not added any live rock in the last 2 years. So I'm assuming he's been with me for at least this long.

This thing is about 2-3 inches long. I've had 2 random fish deaths about a year ago (gramma and a fairy wrasse). no missing inverts (clams, urchins, conches). I'm hoping he's a net neutral at the worst. If anyone can identify him, that would be awesome.

Should be harmless. Image search seems to think some kind of tunicate/sponge. So I dont think he is related to your previous fish deaths. Out of curiosity, what symptoms did the fairy wrasse show before death?

 

[liudachris]

Should be harmless. Image search seems to think some kind of tunicate/sponge. So I dont think he is related to your previous fish deaths. Out of curiosity, what symptoms did the fairy wrasse show before death?

OK I think I figured it out. I think it's a Berthellina citrina or Berthellina delicata. They eat sponges and sounds like some LPS/porites...which thankfully I don't keep. Allegedly observed to eat montipora in the wild but I've had 2 montis in my tank for >1 year without evidence of predation.

I'm gonna leave him for now. I have no plans to keep LPS and my wife has a soft spot for sea slugs and nudis. Unless...of course...people on this forum think its a terrible idea.

 

[liudachris]

Should be harmless. Image search seems to think some kind of tunicate/sponge. So I dont think he is related to your previous fish deaths. Out of curiosity, what symptoms did the fairy wrasse show before death?

The wrasse was acting erratically and eating fine for several days. I assumed it was just weird fish behavior and then it died and carcass picked clean before I realized it was gone. Honestly, suspect its my female clown...

 

[Macropharyngodon]

OK I think I figured it out. I think it's a Berthellina citrina or Berthellina delicata. They eat sponges and sounds like some LPS/porites...which thankfully I don't keep. Allegedly observed to eat montipora in the wild but I've had 2 montis in my tank for >1 year without evidence of predation.

I'm gonna leave him for now. I have no plans to keep LPS and my wife has a soft spot for sea slugs and nudis. Unless...of course...people on this forum think its a terrible idea.

+1 on B. citrina
I am also a fan of nudibranchs. Shame they are little monsters :)

 

[Macropharyngodon]

The wrasse was acting erratically and eating fine for several days. I assumed it was just weird fish behavior and then it died and carcass picked clean before I realized it was gone. Honestly, suspect its my female clown...

Maybe UNWD
to my knowledge the amount of presentations of UNWD are pretty wild, and fairy/flasher wrasses tend to suffer. Even significantly after collection. The other thing is, Wrasse have shorter life spans. And lifespan may be negatively affected by stress, tank mates, and collection trauma so I don't think it was any one thing. Tho if your clown is a murderer then maybe lol.

 

[liudachris]

What is UNWD?

 

[liudachris]

Maybe UNWD
to my knowledge the amount of presentations of UNWD are pretty wild, and fairy/flasher wrasses tend to suffer. Even significantly after collection. The other thing is, Wrasse have shorter life spans. And lifespan may be negatively affected by stress, tank mates, and collection trauma so I don't think it was any one thing. Tho if your clown is a murderer then maybe lol.

What is UNWD?

 

[Macropharyngodon]

What is UNWD?

Unkown neurological wrasse diease.

Group of neurological conditions in wrasses without an aparent cause that have been grouped together to explain when any wrasse randomly dies - though its more common in new imports