Aplysia juliana? in Kiama rock pools, NSW

August 9, 2005
From: Francis Hawkshaw


Dear Bill
Thank you very much for your answer [#14485].

What amazing sea creatures they are ... they remind me of a Dugong or a Hippo the way they graze on the sea grass. You mentioned one of the animals in my photos may have been Aplysia juliana. Are the attached photos of  Aplysia juliana?

They are also found in the Kiama Rock saltwater swimming pool. The pool seems to be a perfect ecosystem. [Kiama on the south coast of New South Wales, eastern Australia].
Thanks again
Francis

Hawkshaw, F., 2005 (Aug 9) Aplysia juliana? in Kiama rock pools, NSW. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/14522

Dear Francis,
Yes these are Aplysia juliana. The brown bodies with whitish patches, is typical of one colour form of the species, as is the way the parapodia are joined quite high at the back as you can see in your upper photo. The artificial rock swimming pools built many years ago up and down the coast of New South Wales have proved a very favourable spot for Sea Hares. Unfortunately some local authorities are concerned that they will be sued if someone slips on a patch of algae, so they regularly clean the pools and their surrounds with chemicals - killing the animal life in the process.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2005 (Aug 9). Comment on Aplysia juliana? in Kiama rock pools, NSW by Francis Hawkshaw. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/14522

Factsheet

Aplysia juliana

Related messages

  1. Sea hares from Tristan da Cunha
    From: Sue Scott, June 1, 2010
  2. Aplysia juliana? from Reunion Island
    From: Philibert Bidgrain, January 31, 2007
  3. Re: Aplysia juliana in my aquarium
    From: Michelle Yerman, May 25, 2006
  4. Aplysia juliana in my aquarium
    From: Michelle Yerman, May 19, 2006
  5. Aplysia juliana eaten by Flatworm
    From: Lisa Kirkendale, April 10, 2006
  6. Re: Sea Hares laying noodle shaped things in tank
    From: Marcus van Riet, December 17, 2005
  7. Sea Hares laying noodle shaped things in tank
    From: Marcus van Riet, December 6, 2005
  8. Aplysia juliana being eaten by crab
    From: Dong Bum Koh, June 7, 2005
  9. Aplysia juliana laying eggs
    From: Dong Bum Koh, May 25, 2005
  10. Aplysia juliana - breeding in Tasmania
    From: Melanie Godfrey-Smith, November 16, 2003
  11. Aplysia juliana - breeding in NZ
    From: Paul Furneaux, August 16, 2003
  12. Aplysia juliana from New Zealand
    From: Paul Furneaux, June 30, 2003
  13. Sea hares, mating pair - from Sydney
    From: Iain Whyte, November 30, 2002
  14. Aplysia juliana from Korea
    From: Ronald Noseworthy, June 19, 2002
  15. Re: Aplysia from Taiwan
    From: Tony Wright, April 16, 2001
  16. Aplysia from Taiwan
    From: Tony Wright, April 14, 2001
  17. Sea Slug feeding and babies
    From: Andrew McDonald, February 16, 2000

Show factsheet and all related messages