Aquarium mystery

December 11, 1999
From: Kelly Greco

Dr. Rudman:

I have recently set up a reef aquarium. A couple of nights ago, I noticed a pair of what I believe to be some type of a sea slug grazing for algae (I assume) on the live rock. Tonight, I noticed a second of the same species. I am hoping you might help me to identify it. It obviously was introduced into the aquarium with the live rock which is from Fiji. The specimens in question show no type of an obvious gill, and do not swim freely but rather crawl over the rock at night. I have, therefore, only observed the dorsal side of the animal.

Description: Black (as night!!), oval shaped, approx. 2.5 cm in length, 2 cm in width. The main body is rather small ( < 1 cm) with the mantle (??) radiating outward as a skirt. There is a slit on the dorsal side which runs the length of the body and I believe is the anus as I have seen excrement being eliminated from it. At the anterior end, I can see two antennae extending from beneath the skirt or mantle. There seems to be a mouth similar to other herbivorous molluscs (such as Astrea sp.) That is also at the anterior end.

Again, I havent been able to observe the ventral side of the animal. Judging by it's locomotion, I would guess that it has a molluscan foot.

Any ideas??!! Any input is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Kelly Greco
Portland, Oregon USA

kjgee@earthlink.net

Greco, K., 1999 (Dec 11) Aquarium mystery. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1668

Dear Kelly,
If you could send me a photo or even a rough drawing it would raise my answer above that of a stab in the dark. One possibility is that it a species of Scutus, which is a slug-like snail, vaguely related to animal like the abalone, Haliotis. There is a photo of Scutus on the 'What is a Slug?' Page. If it is Scutus you will find an elongate white shell hidden beneath the two flaps which form the slit on its back.

Another possibility is a Sea Hare like Dolabrifera bit that is not quite the shape or colour that you describe.

If your animals are not like Scutus then I think I will need a picture - either photo or drawing to me of much help. If you can't scan an image to send then send it to me by mail at:
Australian Museum
6 College St,
Sydney,
NSW 2010
Australia.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 1999 (Dec 11). Comment on Aquarium mystery by Kelly Greco. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1668

Factsheet

Elephant Slug, Shield Slug, Ducksbill Limpet (Scutus sp.)

Related messages

  1. Re: Black sea slugs in reef tank
    From: Mike Duggan, February 8, 2008
  2. A Black Sea Slug in an Aquarium
    From: Sampo Tiensuu, December 12, 2007
  3. Found what I believe to be a Sea Slug or Snail in my Tank
    From: Chad Naujoks, November 28, 2007
  4. Re: Scutus reproduction
    From: Aubrey, May 18, 2007
  5. Re: Scutus reproduction
    From: Matthew A. Clarke, February 9, 2007
  6. Scutus reproduction
    From: Rob Wedin, October 20, 2005
  7. Black slug thing in aquarium
    From: Kristina Mahan, October 8, 2005
  8. Scutus snail - in aquarium
    From: L. Whyte, September 9, 2005
  9. Black And white Nudibranch?
    From: Colin Winkelmann, August 17, 2005
  10. Re: Is Scutus 'Reef safe' ??
    From: Kingston Wong, March 9, 2005
  11. Is Scutus 'Reef safe' ??
    From: Kingston Wong, March 5, 2005
  12. 3 Scutus in my tank
    From: Catalina Pampin, February 23, 2005
  13. Re: Reproduction of Scutus sp.
    From: Rob, November 14, 2003
  14. Identification of a Black Slug
    From: Elvis, August 11, 2003
  15. Scutus in aquarium
    From: Charles S. Thompson Jr., February 4, 2003
  16. Scutus in aquarium (2)
    From: Nathan Gaub, February 4, 2003
  17. Re: Black seaslugs in reef tank
    From: Brett T Lynch, January 11, 2003
  18. Black seaslugs in reef tank
    From: Brett Lynch, January 9, 2003
  19. Reproduction of Scutus sp.
    From: Timothy D. Loyd, January 7, 2003
  20. Sea slug in my tank?
    From: Daniel R, October 1, 2002
  21. Another Scutus in an aquarium
    From: Tae Kim, September 27, 2002
  22. Scutus - Thanks
    From: Becky, April 25, 2002
  23. Thanks Dr Rudman
    From: Pippa Styles, March 20, 2002
  24. Another Scutus in live rock
    From: Becky, March 5, 2002
  25. Trying to ID black slug
    From: Mark Conley, November 20, 2001
  26. Re: Mystery black Sea Slug
    From: John Strawn, November 8, 2001
  27. Mystery black Sea Slug
    From: John Strawn, November 7, 2001
  28. Re: Aquarium mystery
    From: Jay Rundle , September 1, 2001
  29. Can you identify this Sea Slug?
    From: Jay Rundle, August 31, 2001
  30. Mystery Sea Slug is Scutus
    From: Marve Wiessner, June 12, 2001
  31. Flatworm? Scutus? I.D. Help Needed
    From: Matt Anderson, April 21, 2001
  32. Is this some slug or a limpet?
    From: Kristen Chinn, December 30, 2000
  33. Help with ID.. aquarium mystery
    From: Tim Merkel, December 28, 2000
  34. re: Black nudibranch
    From: Gareth Trinko , September 16, 2000
  35. Black nudibranch?
    From: Gareth Trinko , September 15, 2000
  36. Solid Black Sea Slug
    From: Timothy Loyd, August 16, 2000
  37. What is Scutus?
    From: Deepak G Sarin, June 20, 1999

Show factsheet and all related messages