Algae as food

July 3, 2002
From: Samuel Yap

Hi Bill,
I hope you can assist me. I recently went to a local marine fish shop with the intention to purchase some snails so as to clean up the algae in my tank. But the guy at the shop told me that Jorunna funebris is able to perform the same task as a snail, ie: eat the algae. After I purchased the slug, I noticed for 3 days that it was not interested in eating up the algae and hence it prompted me to do a massive search for the details of this creature.

The person at the shop was not able to provide me the exact name of the creature but he told that it was a slug. I did a search and saw the same creature on the Forum. Reading through the Forum, I found out that Jorunna funebris actually feeds on blue sponge and nothing was said about feeding on algae. I don't have any form of sponge in my tank, and I am
concerned that it might die of starvation some day.
Appreciate your advise.
Regards,
Sam
Singapore

yaphcs@yahoo.com

Samuel, 2002 (Jul 3) Algae as food. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7415

Dear Sam,
I am afraid your supplier either doesn't know what they are talking about or is tricking you. Have a look at the many messages I have posted on the Keeping sea slugs in captivity Page for my thoughts on keeping nudibranchs in aquaria. As you live in Singapore, it is possible that your supplier might by chance stock this sponge - but it would a lucky co-incidence as I doubt they or their collectors would have the knowledge to collect specific species of sponge. In Edy Budiman's recent message he says he recently bought some 'blue sponge'. I don't know where he lives but you may want to contact him for information.

As to alternative foods. Firstly, they don't eat plants. Secondly, I know of no 'generic' foods for nudibranchs. Over millions of years evolution has created the wonderfully diverse world in which we live. Part of that diversity is the very specialised feeding habits of each species of nudibranch. It is why you find Jorunna funebris on one sponge, Phyllidia ocellata on another etc., etc. I am afraid that nudibranchs are best left in the sea.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (Jul 3). Comment on Algae as food by Samuel Yap. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7415

Factsheet

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