What does my nudibranch eat?

January 17, 2000
From: Laura Romin

We just purchased a bright pink nudibranch with orange tentacles and a white lateral line. What kind is it? And, what type of food should we provide for it. I understand that many nudibranchs require sponges but may be selective in the type of sponge they will accept.

Laura.

laura_romin@fws.gov

Romin, L., 2000 (Jan 17) What does my nudibranch eat?. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1741

Dear Laura,
I'm afraid I would need some more clues before I could identify your nudibranch with any confidence. Any chance of a photo or even a drawing? Some idea of what part of the world it came from would also be of some help. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of nudibranch species worldwide.

You are right in thinking that nudibranchs are very fussy feeders. Most have quite specific food requirements. Unfortunately, most of the animals they feed on - sponges, hydroids, bryozoans etc, - are also very difficult to keep alive in aquaria.

One possible guess at your nudibranch's identification would be Hypselodoris bullocki. If so, the white line would be the edge of the mantle skirt. If it is that species, have a look at the other messages below yours on this page for more information.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 2000 (Jan 17). Comment on What does my nudibranch eat? by Laura Romin. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1741

Factsheet

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