Purple and yellow nudibranch

[Cyclura]

ok guys,

so i have found some of these "purple and yellow nudibranchs" at my LFS. I have dont what little research there is to be done on these guys and everything says "reef safe". So, has anyone had any experience with them and what would be the likelyhood that one or two would be a good addition to my 8wk old 29gal biocube?

any care tips would be nice, im going to continue my research.

heres a pic http://www.aquacon.com/images/purplenudi.jpg

http://www.seasky.org/seagallery/Sea_Gallery_02.swf

anyone have a scientific name for me?

[Amphibious]

They are reef safe in the sense they won't kill your reef. They are doomed to die because you couldn't possibly provide their diet, especially in an 8wk old 29 gal tank. It's best to discourage their collection by leaving them at the LFS and let them deal with their death. Maybe they will stop ordering them and let the importer deal with their death. Then maybe the importer will stop importing them and maybe, just maybe the collectors will stop collecting them and let them live out their life on the reef where they have a chance.

I hope that answers your question.

Dick

[Cyclura]

umm....ok. sorry for asking. Just for laughs, what does their diet consist of in the wild?

[wwest]

I have never housed one or actually know someone that has, however i have always heard they will starve themselves no matter what you can do. A local fish store here tried to rescue one and they tried alittle bit of everything in the way of food to keep it alive. However they did not witness it eating corals but they said they lost a few softies.. Here is some info on the Nudi Branch

CJO - Abstract

www.diveoz.com.au - Nudibranchs Reference Area

The Sea Slug Forum - Chromodoris geminus

[Amphibious]

Originally Posted by Cyclura

umm....ok. sorry for asking. Just for laughs, what does their diet consist of in the wild?

That would be the $64 Mil question. He who figures it out could right his own check for what ever amount.

[Rob]

no need to be sorry, its very respectable that you asked the question before buying.. that is what we hope for with everyone...

what Amphibious is getting a is that almost all nudibranchs are monolithic eaters, in that there diet consists of one thing, sometimes one one species of one thing. for example, Berghia verrucicornis eat aptasia anemones, the blue velvet (Chelidonura varians) nudibranchs are known to only eat Planaria flatworms, and nothing else.

the diets of most nudibranchs are still unknown to us, and even for the ones that are known such as the blue velvet, its still extremely hard to keep them alive, even with that proper food being provided to them.

Please continue your research, but just understand, the chances of survival are SO LOW that we discourage people from buying them unless you are VERY experiences with sea slugs and are actually working to learn more about the species

[Cyclura]

thats ok, im no longer interested in the species. Thanks anyways.

[Raggamuffin]

I have to agree with Rob on this one... it is EXCEPTIONALLY good you asked BEFORE buying! I don't know how many times I've witnessed people saying stuff along the lines of "Check out what I got for $10!" and when you ask them what parameters it needs, food, or any of a hundred other questions the answer is almost always "I'm not sure....". While I know most will be ok the fact is it's always better for the animal if you know how to take care of it Not to mention your pocket book.....I can't tell you how many upgrades I've seen caused by people needing to keep that $10 coral alive.



Come to think of it that just might work, be back later I need to go get a new coral so I can convince the wife I need a new MH set up!

[gwen_o_lyn]

I always like to ask the LFS why they have such a species. In many cases they don't ask for them.

Great job on asking before buying. We make a stronger statement by not purchasing these critters.