Unknown pest on new chalice coral frag

[Adamthrone]

Last night my dad noticed a snail looking thing on my new chalice coral frag. I looked at it and came to the conclusion that it was a coral eating nudibranch, so I immediately went to work and got it and the frag out of the tank. After looking at some pictures of coral eating nudibranchs I’m not so sure if it is one, there were also a lot of eggs under the coral so I removed what i think is all of them. I will attach some pictures and if you know what they are or have any suggestions on what to do that would be awesome.

[RayWhisperer]

Any way to get a better picture of the animal itself? I can't get a clear enough view to attempt an ID.

 

If it is a nudibranch, and it sounds like it is one, it's likely predatory for that type of coral. Dont toss it just yet, though.

[Adamthrone]

It’s hard to get better then this because it is in a frag cup

[RayWhisperer]

Let me ask you this. Do you see any damage to that coral? I can't see any, but that doesnt mean it's not there. If not, have you noticed any problems with other corals in your tank?

[Adamthrone]

My other corals are doing fine, the chalice has some tissue damage but not a lot.

[RayWhisperer]

Then it's probably feeding on it. However, it's a new coral, so damage isn't unheard of. I'd still hold off on killing it, if possible. Wait to see if more damage occurs, or it heals. Only if possible. 

 

Nudibranch are really difficult to ID. Best I can tell by the pics provided, is possibly some Flabellina species. But that's really just a guess. What little I read about them, most Flabellina species eat hydroids. So, if you have hydroids, it may just be using the coral as shelter during the day.

[RayWhisperer]

Let me amend that last statement. If you, OR THE LFS, have hydroids, it may just be using the coral for shelter. 

 That might be something worth checking into. If it turns out to be a hydroid feeder, I'm sure it would be very desirable to many.

[Adamthrone]

Ok I will ask my LFS if they have hydroids. Thanks for the help. One other thing is that it looks like there are also lots of eggs under the coral.

[RayWhisperer]

Well, they all usually hide their eggs. It's true, they like to lay them near their food source. However, again, it's possible it just layed them under that coral to hide them. 

 

If you are worried about it, I read an article on, I think reef builders, that had a very interesting way to remove them. Fill up a water pik https://www.walmart.com/ip/Waterpik-Ultra-Countertop-Water-Flosser-WP-115-Orchid/56134847?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222228117314096&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=233176139003&wl4=pla-448725381517&wl5=9021459&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=56134847&wl13=&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQiArenfBRCoARIsAFc1FqfSdSflY-mtezpr7Uwn4pvw1TA2fxUlF-ugccxghLgQB9fsPIIRXvIaAjqgEALw_wcB

with salt water and use it like a pressure washer.

[Adamthrone]

Ok thanks

[Adamthrone]

I also just found a fire worm on that same frag☹️

[RayWhisperer]

Probably a harmless bristle worm. In all my years, I've never seen a true fireworm in any of my tanks.