Nudibranchs in the Reef Aquarium

May 23, 1999
From: Theresa Coulter

Can anyone tell me if there are nudibranchs that are safe to keep in a reef tank with soft and hard corals and anemones, etc.? I am new to the world of nudibranchs and would love to have some in my tank but I can't seem to find out if they will eat my reef! Also, when they feed on a coral, does it kill the coral or is there some reciprocal relationship between the two that "feeds" the nudibranch yet doesn't harm it's host?

Thank you,
Theresa Coulter
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

diverpig@aol.com

Coulter, T., 1999 (May 23) Nudibranchs in the Reef Aquarium. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/880

Dear Theresa,
I'm afraid there is no simple answer to your question. Most nudibranchs have very specialised diets and most of their preferred foods are difficult to keep alive in aquaria. If you want more information on feeding go to the Search the Forum page and type in food or feeding and you will get a list of pages with relevant information.

On your specific question about eating your corals and soft-corals. I'm afraid there is no gentle way to be eaten. If a coral-eating nudibranch eats enough of a coral colony, the coral will die.

Best wishes,
bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 1999 (May 23). Comment on Nudibranchs in the Reef Aquarium by Theresa Coulter. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/880

Factsheet

Keeping sea slugs in captivity

Related messages

  1. Is It Possible To legally Purchase Phyllidia ocellata?
    From: Jason Brooks, May 5, 2010
  2. Unknown sea slug
    From: Jupiter dale, March 19, 2010
  3. Re: Chromodoris annae in aquarium
    From: R. Grooters & M. Snoek, March 7, 2008
  4. Chromodoris annae in aquarium
    From: Mattias Westermark, March 5, 2008
  5. Hypselodoris bullocki and aquarium shops
    From: joshua sampson, November 21, 2004
  6. Concerning 'angelfood'
    From: Alan Osborne, March 19, 2004
  7. Hypselodoris bullocki in aquaria
    From: Steve Jen, March 19, 2004
  8. Hypselodoris picta in aquaria
    From: Susanne, March 18, 2004
  9. Question of an outsider ...
    From: Shoei, October 11, 2003
  10. More aquarium shop misinformation
    From: David Clay, March 23, 2003
  11. Need some advice - uninvited aquarium guests
    From: Jenifer, December 30, 2002
  12. Red Seaweed for sale
    From: Jim DeMattia, June 8, 2002
  13. Elysia crispata and Green Carpet Anemones
    From: Andy Feifarek, May 21, 2002
  14. Identity of Nudibranch mimic
    From: Raymond Mears , March 23, 2002
  15. Observing sea slugs in aquaria
    From: Sarah Bredensteiner, March 14, 2002
  16. We want to buy a nudibranch
    From: jennifer, March 10, 2002
  17. Opisthobranchs in Captivity - new book news
    From: Dave Behrens, February 7, 2002
  18. Introducing a sea slug
    From: Alisa Taylor, November 12, 2001
  19. More misinformation from nudibranch suppliers
    From: Michael Bloss, July 2, 2001
  20. Keeping nudibranchs in tanks
    From: Melinda Newton, May 31, 2001
  21. Keeping sea slugs in captivity
    From: Lorena Schwarz, May 28, 2001
  22. Sacoglossan Defenses
    From: Tina Calle, March 22, 2001
  23. keeping Spanish Dancers in aquaria
    From: Kyle, February 8, 2001
  24. Colored sea slug
    From: Robin, January 7, 2001
  25. Alternative to Sponges for Hypselodoris bullocki
    From: John Leventis, October 26, 2000
  26. Re: What do they eat?
    From: Darla Hatton, August 7, 2000
  27. Re: What do they eat?
    From: Darla Hatton, August 2, 2000
  28. Help identify species & what do they eat?
    From: Darla Hatton, August 1, 2000
  29. Re: what do they eat?
    From: Darla Hatton, August 1, 2000
  30. Sea Slug Info
    From: Cherish, April 7, 2000
  31. Seaslugs as pets
    From: Steven Grant, March 29, 2000
  32. Sea Slugs in a local Mall pet store
    From: Mike Thomas, February 13, 2000
  33. Advice on keeping nudibranchs in aquariums
    From: Phanor Montoya, August 22, 1999
  34. Nudibranch I.D.
    From: Adam Walbridge, August 20, 1999
  35. Can you recommend good aquarium species?
    From: Eirik Eilertsen , July 29, 1999
  36. Re: keeping nudibranchs in the aquarium?
    From: Rob See, January 7, 1999
  37. Sea Slugs as Pets?
    From: Sam Noe, August 10, 1998
  38. Keeping sea slugs in captivity
    From: Stephen (Max) Gillies, July 9, 1998

Show factsheet and all related messages