Help identify species & what do they eat?

August 1, 2000
From: Darla Hatton

I just purchased two nudibranches in Florida. The aquarium store told me that they feed on algae, but they don't appear to be doing well.

I found the name of one species in a book. It is called a Chromodoris bullocki. It has a white stripe at the edge of its mantle with the center being pinkish/purple. The gills and tentacles are orange/yellow.

I could not find the species of the other nudibranch -- I tried to upload a picture, but was unsuccessful. The second nudibranch has a mantle with rings of colors the first being white then orange, then white, then black, with a white center. The gills and tentacles are orange. It looks much like the first, except for the different colorations.

After purchasing them, a friend told me that he thinks they only eat sponges. Could you tell me if this is true? If so, we live in Tarpon Springs, Florida (known for its sponging industry), Could you tell me if there are any varieties of sponges that are local to this area that I could provide them with.

Any information that you could provide would be helpful.

Darla Hatton

dhatton@integracom.net

Hutton, D., 2000 (Aug 1) Help identify species & what do they eat? . [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2787

Dear Darla,
Shops shouldn't be allowed to sell things they know nothing about. If these animals you have bought are chromodorid nudibranchs then they are not vegetarian but specialised feeders on sponges. Have a look at the page on Hypselodoris bullocki and see if one of the photos matches your animal. If it is you will find messages and discussions on that page about keeping them in captivity. Also have a look at the messages below yours on this page which is a general place for messages concerned with keeping sea slugs in captivity.

I'm sorry you had problems sending a photo of the other animal. Send it to me attached to an email and I will have a look at it.
best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 2000 (Aug 1). Comment on Help identify species & what do they eat? by Darla Hatton. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2787

Factsheet

Keeping sea slugs in captivity

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