Artificial food for H. bullocki?

January 22, 2000
From: Laura Romin

Bill:

Concerning your comments; If we see one of the Dysidea or Aplysilla sponges we may try one -- do you know of common names used for either genus?

Also, it might be of some interest (though I'm not sure yet) -- last night we put some frozen marine sponge food (Angel formula, manufactured by Ocean Nutrition) in the water and the nudibranch (Hypselodoris bullocki) seemed immediately interested. We witnessed it eating a clump of hair algae that collected some of the sponge food. I don't know if this will be a continuous appetite or if it will even provide the appropriate nutrition -- but we'll continue to feed the sponge formula and see what happens.

On another matter -- we also bought a red sea cucumber on the same shopping trip. We definitely need to do our own reading prior to further purchases of invertebrates. I've since read that many sea cucumbers can deposit highly toxic eggs into the water. Do you know if all species do this. And, are sea cucumbers both male/female, or do you need two to produce the eggs. It's certainly a beautiful critter but I'd hate to come home to a tank of dead fish!

Thanks again -- this is very useful info.

Laura and Larry

laura_romin@fws.gov

Dear Laura & Larry,

I am interested to hear of Hypselodoris's interest in your artificial 'sponge food'. What you don't make clear is whether it is a sponge substitute for sponge-feeding animals, or a food for sponges. At this stage anything is worth a go. If you have success it would be good news for others in a similar predicament.

Concerning 'common' names for sponges. I'm afraid most 'common' names are made up for the book they are used in and so are not 'common' at all. They are just not Latin. I assume you live in the USA but am not sure where. If on the West Coast I am pretty sure there are species of Dysidea there but you will need to consult a local expert or library.

I am not a sea cucumber expert but I do know that the sexes are separate but I don't know if they all have 'toxic' eggs. They also have external fertilisation so you have no worries of a 'pregnant' female. Your sea cucumber may be a better buy as it should find enough to eat on the organic layer that grows on the sand grains and other surfaces.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 2000 (Jan 22). Comment on Artificial food for H. bullocki? by Laura Romin. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1764

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