Nudibranchs?

pok3mas7er · 11-08-2006, 10:38 PM

Does anyone know the breeding habits of nudibranchs. Specifically lettuce nudibranchs. I mean besides being asexual. I have had one for approximately 2 months now and tonight I noticed 2 small nudibranchs slightly smaller than an adult brine. (sorry, I didn't have my tape measure to get exact size

) I know I probably don't have to worry about them as there is PLENTY of algae in my fuge for them to munch on and they were already cruising in the cheato wad. Since it happened though I figured I'd try and get some info on it. I thought they were supposed to have a low success rate in home aquariums?

Twitterbait · 11-09-2006, 11:05 AM

Welcome to TRT. We all call these critters by different names and yes even i will refer to them as nudi's so don't sweat the small stuff. I have seen some fish with 3 or more common names

the little guys you are talking about will actually lay an egg trail, most nudis and slugs lay some form of an egg trail that is either squiggley or spiral shaped. when they are happy they will usually go nuts on the breeding so hey, congrats

pok3mas7er · 11-09-2006, 02:00 PM

Yes and the naming is kind of out of control in my area. All a marketing ploy by individual stores. Oh well. They are all refered to as lettuce nudibranchs around here so that's how I refer to them. But so let me get this straight, it will lay an egg trail and then go back and fertilize them or does it fertilize them internally and lay them. I mean from everything I've learned, if they are hermaphrodites they should not be allowed to self fertilize as they can only be one sex at a time while possessing both parts. I could be wrong though and am always open to new knowledge. Thnx

tims · 11-09-2006, 02:54 PM

pok, welcome To TRT!
here is some nice info on them also.

as to the various names..
this is from one of your sponors here

Quote:

The Green Lettuce Nudibranch may also be referred to as the Lettuce Nudibranch, or Lettuce Sea Slug, although it is not a true nudibranch. It has been referred to as both Tridachia crispata and Elysia crispata. It has highly folded parapodia (side appendages) which give it a ruffled appearance. Since its color is usually green, yellow, or brown, it resembles lettuce.

Twitterbait · 11-09-2006, 06:34 PM

Quote:

It's not really a marketing ploy. It's just the common idea that all sea slugs are nudibranchs. That's not true though. Calling these guys (which are in a group call the sacoglossans) nudibranchs is about as correct as calling a dog a rodent.

The point is it really does not matter, because when you say the name everyone knows exactly what you are referring to.

did you need any more info pok3mas7er?

VWD · 11-10-2006, 05:21 PM

Welcome to TRT!!!

pok3mas7er · 11-11-2006, 02:30 PM

So it would have already had the fertilized eggs prior to me purchasing it from the LFS. In which case what would be the incubation period before the slug lays down the egg spiral. I checked the link and it doesn't have information on that. Thank you for all your help by the way

Twitterbait · 11-11-2006, 06:21 PM

it is possible that it was fertalized before you got it.

tsoperator · 11-13-2006, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenbean36191

It's not really a marketing ploy. It's just the common idea that all sea slugs are nudibranchs. That's not true though. Calling these guys (which are in a group call the sacoglossans) nudibranchs is about as correct as calling a dog a rodent.

Nudibranch is to lettuce slug, as dog is to mouse...hhmmm.

tims · 11-13-2006, 09:20 AM

here is a nice follow up link to more info on them, including a little about there breeding habits.
your gals most likly was already mated before you got it. it will lay the eggs all over and you should see new guys soon. the lighting off the tank is one of the things important to these guys.
i woudl not worry too much about them unless you start getting too many. but then you coudl trade them in for credit..
here is some nice reading on how they use light to help them live..
god luck with your new guy and soon babies.. i hope ya can take some nice pictures for all of us

tims · 11-13-2006, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pok3mas7er

So it would have already had the fertilized eggs prior to me purchasing it from the LFS. In which case what would be the incubation period before the slug lays down the egg spiral. I checked the link and it doesn't have information on that. Thank you for all your help by the way

it will lay when it wants too from what i have read so far. if i come across something different i will let you know right away..

tims · 11-13-2006, 09:34 AM

also to help clear things up a bit..
take a look at this sweet little question.
it talks about the difference between the nuri. and the slug..

Quote:

The word nudibranch is made from two Latin words nudus = naked and an branchia = gills. All sea slugs have evolved from snails which have a shell. Nudibranch essentially means 'naked gills' and refers to the fact that in sea slugs the protective shell is lost and the gills are exposed [see photo alongside]. In many nudibranchs, the gills can be quickly withdrawn into a gill pocket if they are in danger of being nibbled by a predator

pok3mas7er · 11-13-2006, 03:29 PM

It's basically like a square and a rectangle. Whereas all squares are rectangles but not all rectangles are squares. All nudibranchs are sea slugs but not all slugs are nudibranchs. Got it. Not that it matters really because everyone knew just what I was talking about when I said lettuce nudibranch anyway.

tims · 11-13-2006, 03:32 PM

pok, any more questions on them?
i have not seen any info on a certain time line to when they can or will lay there eggs

pok3mas7er · 11-13-2006, 03:39 PM

No, thank you though. I'll just let them be and keep pulling them out when they get to adult stage and selling them. I like to leave the lights on 24/7 on the fuge too because it does help keep that microalgae growing for food. That and I'm trying to grow some types of macro on there for a trade. The original has been doing just fine in the fuge with the light on all the time and continues to move around and eat the hair algae that grows. It has taken a liking to the side with the most movement and bubbles though where the water flows into the fuge so it's hard to see the darker green where the chloraplasts are. Thanks for all the help though