Nudibranch only tank

[santeeeyyy]

Hey I know this seems like a bad idea since each nudi needs a highly specialized diet. But I was wondering if anyone here has any experience or knows of different types of nudibranchs that would be safe to add. I want to have a 13.5 fluval with only nudis and a nem. Not thinking of adding any fish except maybe two clowns or a cardinal. But really want to make it all about nudi's. Which would be kinda bad since I would need to add in flatworms. Aptasia. GHA. So pretty much pests and macro's.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hey I know this seems like a bad idea since each nudi needs a highly specialized diet. But I was wondering if anyone here has any experience or knows of different types of nudibranchs that would be safe to add. I want to have a 13.5 fluval with only nudis and a nem. Not thinking of adding any fish except maybe two clowns or a cardinal. But really want to make it all about nudi's. Which would be kinda bad since I would need to add in flatworms. Aptasia. GHA. So pretty much pests and macro's.

You're correct - most of the really decorative nudibranchs have such specialized diets, that they don't typically last long in any aquarium. There are some algae eating nudis that thrive, but they aren't very pretty.

 

[Macropharyngodon]

You're correct - most of the really decorative nudibranchs have such specialized diets, that they don't typically last long in any aquarium. There are some algae eating nudis that thrive, but they aren't very pretty.

What level of specilization?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

What level of specilization?

Very high for the cool species it seems. Hydroids, certain flatworms, zooanthids, etc., but all very specific. I've long since given up trying to keep the really colorful varieties, it just never seems to work out for me.

Here is an old thread:

Are there any nudibranchs that are practical to keep in an aquarium?

There are so many really beautiful species of nudibranchs out there, and one or two would be a great colorful addition to a reef tank - but every species I'm aware of in the hobby is a specialist feeder like berghias and I wouldn't expect them to survive once the pest is eradicated, and it seems...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[santeeeyyy]

Very high for the cool species it seems. Hydroids, certain flatworms, zooanthids, etc., but all very specific. I've long since given up trying to keep the really colorful varieties, it just never seems to work out for me.

Here is an old thread:

Are there any nudibranchs that are practical to keep in an aquarium?

There are so many really beautiful species of nudibranchs out there, and one or two would be a great colorful addition to a reef tank - but every species I'm aware of in the hobby is a specialist feeder like berghias and I wouldn't expect them to survive once the pest is eradicated, and it seems...

www.reef2reef.com

funny you mention it, I was thinking about zoa eating nudi's and loading my tank up with paly's or other unwanted zoas for these guys to eat. Stuff that people dont pay for.

 

[dedragon]

it is a nice idea but as jay said, probably wont work long term. they will explode in pop and decimate their food source. maybe if you ran an even larger system in conjunction to supply food like zoas or flatworms, etc but it sounds like more work than it is worth tbh

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

funny you mention it, I was thinking about zoa eating nudi's and loading my tank up with paly's or other unwanted zoas for these guys to eat. Stuff that people dont pay for.

But the problem is, they can be very specific to the food they will eat, even down to the genus they will feed on. So you have no way to know if it will feed on the food source you have. Some have been kept alive by collecting some of the invertebrate they were living on when collected.