Hitchhiker Nudi ID

[ScubaSnacks]

Found this guy wandering out of some ticked off zoas of the same color while I was cleaning the glass. Assuming since it's not algae colored it is evicted. ID more for curiosity and the off chance it is a keeper. (Mixed reef, lps/euphillia dominated)

TIA

 

[ScubaSnacks]

I think I answered my own question... zoa eating nudibranch?

I inspected all other zoas with my macro lens. Didn't see any eggs nor other slugs. Hopefully my yellow coris wrasse can handle it because the zoas are already spread to the main rock work.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Mods please delete duplicate thread. My app screwed up.

Looks like the thread with the pic was deleted.

 

[SPS2020]

 

[ScubaSnacks]

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Two questions: first, any chance of pics under white light (top down like this, and straight-on from the side are the most help for slug ID's)? Second, does this critter just have the two "horns" on the head there, or does it have two more that can't be seen in the pic?

 

[ScubaSnacks]

This is about the best I could do from my phone. Let me see if I can get a good side view. It may need to move to a different container.

 

[ScubaSnacks]

Looks like two on the front of the head and two on the top.

 

[ScubaSnacks]

Here are the zoas it consumed last night. Amazing how they pick up color from their food. These bam bams grow like a weed, so no permanent damage (hopefully).

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Looks like two on the front of the head and two on the top.

So, that confirms it's a nudibranch. In this case, I know it's an Aeolid nudibranch; my best guess would be Aeolidiopsis/Baeolidia harrietae (there's some dispute around what genus the critter should fall into).

Either way, if my guess is correct, it's a known zoanthid eater, and it takes the zooxanthellae from its prey and stores it for use in its own body.

 

[ScubaSnacks]

Thank's for the tentative ID. It will continue to stay evicted. My curiosity got the better of me and I broke out my cheapo usb microscope. I thought they were pretty cool. Hope you enjoy.