Pest Type: Nudibranch
Scientific Name: Phestilla subodiosus
Treatment: Treatment should be done in a quarantine tank.
Move the affected corals to a quarantine tank; the quarantine tank should have good light and water flow.
1. Setup your quarantine tank, then take your coral out of the main tank and dip it in Coral Rx.
2. While the coral is in CoralRx take a turkey baster, and blast the coral with the dip. Making sure it is getting in between the plates and in all the cracks of the coral. Do this for approximately 5 – 10 minutes.
3. Remove coral and discard the coral dip. Do not reuse the coral dip as parasites may release toxins.
4. Rinse coral with clean saltwater and return to a quarantine tank.
5. Repeat every 4-8 days till no more nudibranchs are found.
Leave the coral in your quarantine system for an additional 3 months before moving back to your aquarium. Additionally, adding wrasses to your quarantine tank will also aid in the treatment of Montipora Eating Nudibranchs.
Identification: The white and frilly nudibranchs are small and grow to about 8 millimeters (1/3 of an inch) in length.
Typically Montipora Eating Nudibranchs are on the back side of a plating Montipora, it is hard to distinguish between the Montipora Eating Nudibranch and the feather dusters. Montipora Eating Nudibranchs like to hide in hard to find places, they particularly like the underside of plating Montipora and the base of Montipora sponges.
Prevention: A quarantine tank is the easiest way to prevent these ugly little reef critters from destroying your Montipora based reef tank. Ideally, Montipora corals should be left in quarantine for 3 months. During the quarantine time, you should view the coral on a daily basis and watch for any white spots on the coral. Remember that Montipora Eating Nudibranchs like the underside of Montipora. Whether or not quarantine is an option, a dip in CoralRx is highly suggested.
