Unexpected Tritoniopsis elegans guests

May 31, 2002
From: Mark Armstrong

Following a recent purchase of two leathery corals (one finger coral the other a toadstool) I found two animals who appear to be Tritoniopsis elegans! I only see them at night is this breed of nudibranch nocturnal? How much of a risk to my coral colonies do these two very interesting animals present? Are there any specific requirements (feeding, lighting or current) that I will need to modify? I have no idea where the corals originated only that they were supplied by TMC (one of the UK's largest livestock suppliers)
Mark Armstrong

mark.armstrong3@ntlworld.com

Armstrong, M., 2002 (May 31) Unexpected Tritoniopsis elegans guests. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7084

Dear Mark,
I guess the nudibranchs hitched a ride as juveniles on the leathery soft-corals you recently acquired. If you look at the other messages on this page you will see that the leathery soft-corals is what they eat. So I guess they have some food but you may have to replace your soft-coral every now and then. Many nudibranchs are nocturnal and it is quite possible that this species is as well.

If you are happy to sacrifice the odd soft-coral or two, I don't think you will need to make any changes to your aquarium set up. It is probable that this species will only eat one species of soft-coral, so it is unlikely that other corals, anemones etc are at risk.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (May 31). Comment on Unexpected Tritoniopsis elegans guests by Mark Armstrong. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7084

Factsheet

Tritoniopsis elegans

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