Tochuina tetraquetra eating speed

May 26, 2006
From: Beto Nava

We found this specimen of Tochuina tetraquetra in Carmel, California in about 140ft of water. The animal was climbing on top of the red gorgonian, and most likely eating it.

I saw another gorgonia a couple of feet way similar to the one the animal is on, and it was completely destroyed .

I'm wondering how fast can they eat a gorgonian. Any idea?

This animal is in an area we know very well so I'm thinking about counting the good/damaged gorgonians in a 30 x 30 ft area and see what we get. We could repeat this several times in the next month as get an idea of how much does it eat. I hope it does not kill all the gorgonians in that area.

Locality: Point Lobos , 140ft, CA, USA, Ocean, 15 May 2006. Length: 4 inches. Photographer: Beto Nava.

Beto Nava

betonava@earthlink.net

Nava, A.E., 2006 (May 26) Tochuina tetraquetra eating speed. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/16659

Dear Beto,
I t certainly would be interesting to keep a record of how much it eats. One problem will be knowing whether there is anything else which may be eating the gorgonians at the same time - perhaps a fish or burrowing animal you may not see. I am not sure if anyone has studied feeding behaviour in Tochuina, but from the size of the animal in your photo, that gorgonian may be just a snack.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (May 26). Comment on Tochuina tetraquetra eating speed by Beto Nava. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/16659

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