Is my sea hare sick?

July 18, 2005
From: Brian Vastag

Hi - I just found this forum and it's great. I'm hoping someone can help me out.

I bought a sea hare at the local fish store last week. I think it's a Dolabella auricularia, based on the info I found here. He/she was doing great, eating, cruising around. But today I noticed that part of what look like its innards are now outards. I don't know if this is normal or if something's gone terribly wrong.

If you look at the pic, it's the tube with the kidney shape at the end. It's coming out of the side of its 'head'. It's still moving around, so I guess that's a good sign. Any ideas? Is it normal?

Brian Vastag

brianvastag@comcast.net

Vastag, B., 2005 (Jul 18) Is my sea hare sick?. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/14278

Dear Brian,
I am not sure of the species from your photo but the structure you are worried about is its penis. I suspect it is 'sick' because they don't normally walk around with it displayed like this. Often when they are not well the buccal bulb, the muscular organ containing the radular teeth, will pop out through the mouth, which is a sure sign the animal will die in a few hours.

Having a penis doesn't make it a 'he' it is still a he/she, all opisthobranch sea slugs being both male and female. Concerning keeping this animal alive in an aquaria. If it survives the present peculiarity, there is a chance it will survive. Sea hares feed on particular sea weeds, which are not a good thing to put in aquaria because many of them, particularly browns and reds,  give off many toxic chemicals. Some poeple have had success feeding them with garden lettuce which is dunked in boiling water for a second or so and then put in the aquarium. Experiment with small pieces.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2005 (Jul 18). Comment on Is my sea hare sick? by Brian Vastag. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/14278

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