Sea Hares laying noodle shaped things in tank

December 6, 2005
From: Marcus van Riet

I have sea hares from Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia that I have collected from tiny coastal rock pools. I started off with less than 5 a few months ago, I probably have about 10 now. The extra ones may have been introduced when I have collected weed for food for the slugs. However thay are laying 'two minute noodle' shaped nest like things all around my tank, on rocks and anything that isnt moving. i assume these are eggs.

I have noticed the ocean baths at Newcastle Beach also have a thriving population of these black sea hares, the are more noticeable when the pool is emptied to 1 ft deep. My sea hares live peacfully with a hermit crab, approx 8-10 pilot fish, a sweep and more than a dozen prawns, oh and quite a few periwinkles, all collected from the tidal rock shelf.

Locality:  Newcastle, NSW, Australia. tidal rock pools. Length: 7-10 cm.
August- Dec 2005

Regards
Marcus

van Riet, M.E, 2005 (Dec 6) Sea Hares laying noodle shaped things in tank. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15411

Dear Marcus,
From your description I am sure your 'noodles' are egg masses. If the animals are black, they are probably Aplysia juliana. I am afraid you probably won't get much further in the breeding cycle as the egg hatch out as microscopic swimming larvae, which need microscopic plant plankton to feed on. The larvae are very difficult to keep in aquaria withour special equipment and suitable plankton. It's possible the other occupants in your tank might like to feed on the larvae. As to the adult sea hares. It is possible they will die now that they have layed their eggs, but if you are lucky they could stay alive for some more months. Sea Hares usually only live for about a year.

Have a look at Paul Furneaux's message [#10759] for a picture of the egg masses of Aplysia juliana.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2005 (Dec 6). Comment on Sea Hares laying noodle shaped things in tank by Marcus van Riet. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15411

Factsheet

Aplysia juliana

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