Is It Safe

[mariusz621]

I have found this in my tank this morning when lights were off:

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/IMG_1052.JPG

Is it safe with corals. It stays close to bottom polips.
Thanks

[ry_krum]

Get it out!! Get it out!!!

I take it you've got softies in your tank?

I had a plague of these in my tank about six months back and it destroyed quite a big finger leather in a few weeks. Get it out before it lays eggs (if it hasn't already)! They come in either on soft corals or on live rock and lay dormant until you introduce a softie.

There was a big article in Marine World on them a few issues back (too late for me alas). I'm just going to dig it out cos I cant remember what it's called.

[ry_krum]

Apparenty it's correctly called Tritoniopsis Elegans but has also been described as Tritonopsilla Alba. Both throw up a fair amount when googled.

It's a shame they're so nasty cos they actually look great don't they. I don't think you could even move him into a softie-free tank cos he'd starve.

You need to check round the base of any softies for babies/ other adults. I eventually got rid of them by spending night after night picking them off with tweezers but this is a real pain in the proverbial cos some of the babies can be tiny. It took months. The article in Marine World advocates inverting the effected coral in a fresh water dip and shaking them off which sounds like a good idea.

[mariusz621]

It's out now. :(
Beautiful thing. I saw it yesterday for the first time when moving one of my softies. It was under it very compact and small. I though it was some kind of sponge ( until it moved today). I moved the coral, because it wasn't doing very well. I thought too strong light was to blame...
Thanks a lot :thumbsup:

[paisley_pirate]

I do agree with krum they do look great pity they are so nasty!

[ry_krum]

Yeah, it's a real shame.

Make sure you keep an eye on that coral (esp round the base) for any babies.

Ry

[mariusz621]

Will do Ry,
Thank you.