Glossodoris atromarginata in aquaria

January 12, 2002
From: BK

I purchased what I beleve to be a Glossodoris atromarginata from my aquarium store who was told that this nudibranch is an algal grazer (and does not posess toxins), however, on every photograph on this page they are found on or near a sponge. is this species an algae eater, sponge eater, or coral eater? also, what is the typical life span of this creature? is there any thing els I should know about this animal?

I'm also wondering if there is a nudibranch that is a strict algae eater, that is non toxic and will not eat other sessile invertebrates found in home aquariums.

Thanks,
BK

chess_wizard_1@yahoo.com

BK, 2002 (Jan 12) Glossodoris atromarginata in aquaria. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5945

Dear BK,
The bad news is that the people in your aquarium store don't know what they are talking about. Glossodoris atromarginata is definitely a sponge feeder. All nudibranchs are carnivores, each specialising on a different type of food, usually, but not always colonial or sessile invertebrates. None of them, except for a few special cases, such as Berghia verrucicornis, which eat anemones, are suitable aquarium animals. There are however related herbivorous sea slugs [opisthobranchs] which can live quite happiy in aquaria. Have a look at the pages on Sea Hares for some background information. Another herbivorous slug which seems to be a quite successful aquarium animal is the sacoglossan Elysia crispata. If you have a look at the many messages on that page you should get enough information to think seriously about a herbivorous sea slug rather than a carnivorous nudibranch
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (Jan 12). Comment on Glossodoris atromarginata in aquaria by BK. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5945

Related messages

  1. Re: Glossodoris atromarginata - feeding record [1]
    From: Leanne and David Atkinson, November 19, 2009
  2. Glossodoris atromarginata in the southern Philippines
    From: Carrie Lo, July 4, 2008
  3. Glossodoris atromarginata laying egg masses
    From: Toh Chay Hoon, February 27, 2008
  4. Glossodoris atromarginata feeding [2]
    From: Richard Swann, June 27, 2007
  5. Glossodoris atromarginata feeding [1]
    From: Richard Swann, June 27, 2007
  6. Glossodoris atromarginata from Bare Island, Sydney
    From: Andrew Trevor-Jones, March 5, 2007
  7. Glossodoris atromarginata - feeding record [1]
    From: Bill Rudman, January 25, 2007
  8. Glossodoris atromarginata - feeding record [2]
    From: Bill Rudman, January 25, 2007
  9. Glossodoris atromarginata from Sulawesi
    From: Mike Krampf, December 22, 2006
  10. Re: Glossodoris atromarginata from Vietnam
    From: Bruce Wilkie, July 12, 2006
  11. Glossodoris atromarginata from Vietnam
    From: Mike Krampf, July 11, 2006
  12. Glossodoris atromarginata from New Caledonia
    From: Anthony Delunel, February 28, 2006
  13. Re: Glossodoris atromarginata from Malaysia
    From: Asther M. Lau, December 9, 2003
  14. Glossodoris atromarginata mating
    From: Gary Cobb, October 18, 2003
  15. Glossodoris atromarginata from Hawaii
    From: Keoki Stender, October 6, 2003
  16. Glossodoris atromarginata from Malaysia
    From: Asther M. Lau, July 26, 2003
  17. Glossodoris atromarginata from Taiwan
    From: Todd Garthwaite, June 27, 2003
  18. Glossodoris atromarginata from Thailand
    From: Danny Van Belle, February 27, 2003
  19. Re: Glossodoris atromarginata
    From: Danny Van Belle, December 21, 2002
  20. Glossodoris atromarginata with egg ribbon
    From: Danny Van Belle, December 16, 2002
  21. Glossodoris atromarginata - food sponge?
    From: Ian Simpson, December 8, 2002
  22. Glossodoris atromarginata from Solomon Ids
    From: Bruce Potter, November 21, 2002
  23. Glossodoris atromarginata from Echizen, Japan
    From: Nishina Masayoshi, August 13, 2002
  24. Glossodoris atromarginata from Bintan
    From: Alice Lee, August 13, 2002
  25. Glossodoris atromarginata from Taiwan
    From: Todd Garthwaite, June 26, 2002
  26. Glossodoris atromarginata from Bali
    From: Stuart Hutchison, March 18, 2002
  27. Hong Kong Glossodoris atromarginata
    From: W.B. Rudman & B.W. Darvell, January 24, 2002
  28. Re: Glossodoris atromarginata in aquaria
    From: BK, January 15, 2002
  29. Clusters of Glossodoris atromarginata
    From: Ákos Lumnitzer, January 9, 2002
  30. Glossodoris atromarginata feeding
    From: Erwin Koehler , January 4, 2002
  31. Interesting characteristic of G. atromarginata's gills
    From: Nick Gill, December 5, 2001
  32. Glossodoris atromarginata from Hawaii
    From: Pauline Fiene-Severns, September 9, 2001
  33. Glossodoris atromarginata with 4 rhinophores
    From: Mary Jane Adams, September 2, 2001
  34. Glossodoris atromarginata from Noosa
    From: C. & C. van der Pennen, May 9, 2001
  35. Glossodoris atromarginata from Sydney
    From: Erik Schloegl, April 13, 2001
  36. Information on Glossodoris atromarginata
    From: Christine Tang, January 7, 2001
  37. Re: Samoan nudibranchs
    From: Don Barclay, August 31, 2000
  38. Samoan Glossodoris atromarginata?
    From: Don Barclay, August 29, 2000
  39. Glossodoris atromarginata? from Brisbane
    From: Rachel Murphy, August 4, 2000
  40. Glossodoris atromarginata from Western Australia
    From: Jean-Paul Koninx, May 4, 2000
  41. Glossodoris atromarginata from Tanzania
    From: Bill Rudman., April 1, 2000
  42. Glossodoris from Bushranger Bay
    From: Dave Harasti, January 13, 2000
  43. Glossodoris atromarginata from South Africa
    From: Valda Fraser, November 27, 1999
  44. Glossodoris atromarginata from Philippines
    From: Erwin Koehler, January 15, 1999
  45. Glossodoris from Mooloolaba
    From: Wayne Ellis, April 22, 1998

Show factsheet and all related messages