ACNaturalHistory
Community Member
Hey everyone! I’d really like some input on this.
Saturday, while I was at my LFS to purchase some items, I noticed that they had nudibranchs for sale. I have always loved nudibranchs but had thought they were unrealistic to keep in a reef tank.
When I asked the staff at the store about them, though, they said they are easy to care for and that they will just eat biofilm and any sponges I have growing on my rocks and that the staff had had them in their personal tanks for many months. So, I made the classic mistake to purchase on the spot without further research, blinded by the beauty of the animal.
After some research, I realized that this nudibranch most likely is an obligate sponge specialist rather than a general sponge/biofilm grazer. While I do have some sponges growing on my rockwork (TBS live rock), I’m pretty certain this Pacific nudibranch will want nothing to do with my Atlantic sponges. I am now looking to get a better ID and realistic care advice, including whether I should return it to my LFS.
Photos attached.
The closest ID I’ve found so far is Chromodoris, possibly willani or lochi, but I am by far not an expert and would love anyone with more knowledge than me to offer their opinion.
Specific questions:
1. Can anyone ID the nudibranch?
2. Does anyone know what sponge species are known food sources for this animal?
3. Has anyone successfully kept this species or a similar Chromodoris long-term?
4. Is there any realistic source for purchasing the correct food sponge, or is returning it the better option?
5. If it dies unnoticed, how serious is the risk to fish/coral from toxins or decomposition?
I’m trying to make the best decision (correcting for my earlier bad decision) for the animal and my tank rather than just hoping it figures things out. I’m happy to answer any questions.
Saturday, while I was at my LFS to purchase some items, I noticed that they had nudibranchs for sale. I have always loved nudibranchs but had thought they were unrealistic to keep in a reef tank.
When I asked the staff at the store about them, though, they said they are easy to care for and that they will just eat biofilm and any sponges I have growing on my rocks and that the staff had had them in their personal tanks for many months. So, I made the classic mistake to purchase on the spot without further research, blinded by the beauty of the animal.
After some research, I realized that this nudibranch most likely is an obligate sponge specialist rather than a general sponge/biofilm grazer. While I do have some sponges growing on my rockwork (TBS live rock), I’m pretty certain this Pacific nudibranch will want nothing to do with my Atlantic sponges. I am now looking to get a better ID and realistic care advice, including whether I should return it to my LFS.
Photos attached.
The closest ID I’ve found so far is Chromodoris, possibly willani or lochi, but I am by far not an expert and would love anyone with more knowledge than me to offer their opinion.
Specific questions:
1. Can anyone ID the nudibranch?
2. Does anyone know what sponge species are known food sources for this animal?
3. Has anyone successfully kept this species or a similar Chromodoris long-term?
4. Is there any realistic source for purchasing the correct food sponge, or is returning it the better option?
5. If it dies unnoticed, how serious is the risk to fish/coral from toxins or decomposition?
I’m trying to make the best decision (correcting for my earlier bad decision) for the animal and my tank rather than just hoping it figures things out. I’m happy to answer any questions.
