Is this a worm?

MollyMac · Mar 9, 2021

Picked up this hitchhiker. When he first came into the tank two weeks ago he was blue and chunky. He moved quickly all around the tank looking for a home for several days then disappeared. I assumed my brittle star or cleanup crew ate him after missing a few days. Then I stumbled upon him attached to a bio ball below deck looking bleached and skinny. I put him back in the tank and he’s running all around again. Any idea what he is?

duberii · Mar 9, 2021

It's definitely some type of nudi- I don't remember the name or what it eats, but it is probably starving in your tank unfortunately- and if it's not, it's probably eating corals

edit: Likely a phyllodesmium nudi, which feeds on soft corals- possibly that GSP you showed it on.

MollyMac · Mar 9, 2021

Dang! I so diligently tried to save a life this morning and get him back in the tank only to realize he will chow down on all my GSP. Which btw he is nicely snuggled up in at the moment.

ChiCity · Mar 9, 2021

wow, never seen that particular nudi before...

ssunthar · Apr 5, 2021

Yes, duberii is correct, believe it is the the briareum species. A coral eater... get rid of it quickly.

Tori · Apr 5, 2021

If it eats gsp someone will probably pay you for it...

elysics · Apr 5, 2021

Just like i said in the other thread with a similar nudibranch, GSP is cheap, plentiful, and easy to grow, this critter is rare in the hobby and interesting. Why not keep it for a while?

And judging from the position you glued the GSP to, you'll probably be thankful for it

MollyMac · Apr 7, 2021

Thanks much for the info. I tossed that nudi a few weeks ago but started noticing a few tiny slugs in the tank yesterday that resemble him. I’m keeping an eye on them but thinking that maybe there were some eggs left behind that have now hatched.