Melibe engeli - aquarium hitchhiker

May 2, 2008
From: Can Tunali

Concerning message #21447:

Dear Bill ,

These are from my refugium . I get my live rock from the local suppliers . They bring the live rocks from Maleysia , Indonesia or Singapore .

I noticed them first on 14 February 2008 as the shape in the lower photo.

The largest and the oldest one still alive and around 15 cm [upper photo]. They are laying eggs on the glass every 4 days. 

Regards

Can Tunali
Aquarist
Cairo, Egypt

vip_34@hotmail.com

Tunali , C.C., 2008 (May 2) Melibe engeli - aquarium hitchhiker. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21541

Dear Can,

The big animal laying eggs in you aquarium is a species of Melibe, almost certainly Melibe engeli. These amazing nudibranchs feed on small crustacea (shimps, prawns, crabs etc) by catching them in their large oral which acts like a fishing net. Have a look at the species' Fact Sheet and attached messages for more information. Also have a look at the other species of Melibe and Tethys on the Forum for more background information. You could possibly keep them alive by adding a few brine shrimp to the water but I am not sure if they would be able to capture swimimg prey.

The small white nudibranch [photo alongside] which you thought was a juvenile is a quite different nudibranch. It is an aeolid and probably doesn't grow much bigger. It will feed on some type of cnidarian, perhaps a hydroid or soft coral, but without a lot more information I can't say much more.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2008 (May 2). Comment on Melibe engeli - aquarium hitchhiker by Can Tunali. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21541

Factsheet

Melibe engeli

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