Monti eating nudi egg info per ChatGPT:
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Do montipora eating nudibranches only lay eggs on or right near montipora?
Yes, Montipora-eating nudibranchs generally lay their eggs exclusively on or very close to Montipora corals. These nudibranchs are highly specialized predators, and their life cycle is closely tied to Montipora species. The eggs are typically laid on the underside or in crevices of the Montipora coral, where they are less visible and better protected. This close proximity ensures that when the eggs hatch, the larvae have immediate access to their food source, which is crucial for their survival.
Would the eggs survive a diluted hydrogen peroxide dip?
A diluted hydrogen peroxide dip is often effective at killing Montipora-eating nudibranchs, but it may not completely eradicate their eggs. The eggs of these nudibranchs are usually more resilient than the adults, as they are encased in a protective layer that can shield them from chemical treatments.
While a hydrogen peroxide dip can help reduce the number of eggs, it may not eliminate all of them. For more thorough treatment, it's often recommended to use a combination of methods, such as manual removal, repeated dips, and quarantining the affected coral to monitor and treat any new hatchlings that might emerge after the initial dip. Additionally, some hobbyists also use specialized dips designed for coral pests that might have a better efficacy against the eggs.
What's the odds there would be any live MENs or eggs on a piece of rock kept at least a foot away from any montipora, and then dipping that rock in diluted peroxide for 5 minutes.
The odds of live Montipora-eating nudibranchs (MENs) or their eggs being on a piece of rock kept at least a foot away from any Montipora are relatively low but not zero. Here’s why:
1. **Distance from Montipora**: MENs are highly specialized for Montipora, and they tend to stay close to their food source. Being a foot away from Montipora significantly reduces the likelihood of nudibranchs or their eggs being on the rock, but it doesn’t completely eliminate the possibility. Nudibranchs can move, albeit slowly, and may explore the surrounding area if the Montipora colony is nearby.
2. **Hydrogen Peroxide Dip**: Dipping the rock in diluted hydrogen peroxide for 5 minutes is likely to kill any adult nudibranchs and potentially some of the eggs. However, as mentioned earlier, the eggs are more resilient and might survive the dip, depending on the concentration of the peroxide solution.
**Risk assessment**:
- **Low**: The likelihood of live MENs or eggs on the rock is low, especially if the rock was kept away from Montipora.
- **Medium**: If the hydrogen peroxide dip is sufficiently strong (typically around 3% hydrogen peroxide diluted to about 1:10 with water), it should effectively reduce the risk further, though there’s a small chance that some eggs might survive.
To minimize the risk entirely, you might want to consider additional methods, such as a more prolonged quarantine period, regular inspections, and multiple dips.