I bought a lettuce nudibranch a number weeks ago. Within a few days he was nowhere to be found. I checked my intakes and found no remnants. Today my wife noticed a snail with a different appearance than the others. We pulled him off the glass, when he closed up there was no hard cover. Has anyone ever heard of a nudi moving into a vacant shell?
Nudibranch mystery!
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Nope, not that I am aware!!!
Are you having a hair algae problem? the only reason I ask is to make sure there is enough food for him to survive. If there isn't food, he would not survive a number of weeks!
Are you having a hair algae problem? the only reason I ask is to make sure there is enough food for him to survive. If there isn't food, he would not survive a number of weeks!
Er, I don't seem them moving into shells... not only are they not properly shaped for it, but I understand that the photosynthesis process from the food they eat carries on within the animal itself - hence they have a greenish look when healthy and well fed, but often on arrival or if not eating, they are white.
Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2007 00:10:04 +0000
Lettuce nudibranchs... beh.
Hello distinguished experts
<Heeee! Am more extinquished myself>
I met at least a couple of you at Saltwater U in Atlanta Last year. Look
forward to hearing you speak again this year!
<Geez, gots to get hot on my pitch for next weekend>
My question may seem odd; if so have laugh at my expense. You won't be the
first. Is there any history of a Lettuce nudibranch moving into a Astria or
Trochus shell?
<For a short while, sure>
My research suggests both would have an opercula.
<Mmm, no>
Our snail does not have one. He simply retreats as far as he can leaving flesh
exposed. When placed upside down in the sand he spirals partially out to get a
foot hold then rights himself. Hasn't yet fully come out of the shell but what
we can see of his body doesn't look the other snails in the tank. No muscle visible to attach to the shell, Coloring
similar to our missing nudibranch. I do know some snails do have a mottled
colorization to their mantles. Appears to be eating off the glass and not the
hair algae. OK I've convinced myself that I must be wrong. Thats all the info I
can share unless I can get a decent photo.
Your incredulous reply will be eagerly awaited!
Steve
<I'd give this shell a good shaking underwater... just in case this seaslug is
stuck, can't get out by itself. Bob Fenner>
Lettuce nudibranchs... beh.
Hello distinguished experts
<Heeee! Am more extinquished myself>
I met at least a couple of you at Saltwater U in Atlanta Last year. Look
forward to hearing you speak again this year!
<Geez, gots to get hot on my pitch for next weekend>
My question may seem odd; if so have laugh at my expense. You won't be the
first. Is there any history of a Lettuce nudibranch moving into a Astria or
Trochus shell?
<For a short while, sure>
My research suggests both would have an opercula.
<Mmm, no>
Our snail does not have one. He simply retreats as far as he can leaving flesh
exposed. When placed upside down in the sand he spirals partially out to get a
foot hold then rights himself. Hasn't yet fully come out of the shell but what
we can see of his body doesn't look the other snails in the tank. No muscle visible to attach to the shell, Coloring
similar to our missing nudibranch. I do know some snails do have a mottled
colorization to their mantles. Appears to be eating off the glass and not the
hair algae. OK I've convinced myself that I must be wrong. Thats all the info I
can share unless I can get a decent photo.
Your incredulous reply will be eagerly awaited!
Steve
<I'd give this shell a good shaking underwater... just in case this seaslug is
stuck, can't get out by itself. Bob Fenner>
