How long do Sea slugs live in aquarium?

January 29, 2003
From: Dean Swade

I have had a Chromodoris magnifica for 5+ months now and it seems to be doing well - picks at some of my sponges. What is the life expectancy in a reef tank? I have a 262 gallon with 300lbs of LR
Thanks,
Dean

plum70rt@aol.com

Dear Dean,
In nature, most sea slugs only live a year or less, although there are a few exceptions. I have known aquarium keepers who have kept chromodorids alive for some months, but only by diligently looking after the slug's food sponge, and regularly replacing it when it looked unhealthy. Which is only something you can usually do if you live near the sea where both slug and sponge are found naturally.

So it seems you have been rather fortunate. Either your slug is happy to starve or by chance you have a healthy supply of its food sponge. You say it 'picks at some of my sponges'. Do you mean it is actually feeding on them - leaving a hole or a 'bite mark'? I would love to see a photo if that is possible.

How long will it live? I think you are in unknown territory here. I would say every month more is a bonus
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (Jan 29). Comment on How long do Sea slugs live in aquarium? by Dean Swade. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/9039

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