Unknown sea slug

March 19, 2010
From: Jupiter dale

Dear Sir

I had ordered an assorted color seaslug from my pet store, today i was called to get my slug. I upload 3 images of my green / black slug.
I don't know if it is toxic cause a have a reef aquarium with plenty fishes inside.

I would appreciate an ID, thanks very much.

Jupiter

toaurio@hotmail.com

Dale J., 2010 (Mar 19) Unknown sea slug. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/23360

Dear Jupiter,

This is a type of slug which I definitely wouldn't advise for an aquarium. In fact there is a message on the Forum from some years ago which is probably the same species as yours [#9376]. In that message I say:

"In my opinion this is a definite no-no in any aquaria. I can't tell from the photo just which species it is, perhaps Phyllidiella pustulosa, but it is a member of the Phyllidiidae. Species of this family exude a milky white secretion which is highly toxic, and recently collected - that is healthy - specimens can kill everything in an aquarium just from their secretions dissolving in the water. [see earlier message]. They are also sponge feeders. The good news is that your animal is probably starving and so is probably unable to produce the toxic secretions. Be that as it may, I think it is highly irresponsible of aquarium shops (aka LFS) to sell potentially toxic animals to unsuspecting customers."

I am afraid there is not a lot more to say. Apart from potentially poisoning other animals in your aquarium, it is a very specialised sponge-feeder, feeding on only a few species of sponge. We know very little about the biology of these slugs so I cant tell you which sponges they eat, and even if I could, it would be most unlikely that you could buy any from a pet shop.

Sorry for bad news,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2010 (Mar 19). Comment on Unknown sea slug by Jupiter dale. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/23360

Factsheet

Keeping sea slugs in captivity

Related messages

  1. Is It Possible To legally Purchase Phyllidia ocellata?
    From: Jason Brooks, May 5, 2010
  2. Re: Chromodoris annae in aquarium
    From: R. Grooters & M. Snoek, March 7, 2008
  3. Chromodoris annae in aquarium
    From: Mattias Westermark, March 5, 2008
  4. Hypselodoris bullocki and aquarium shops
    From: joshua sampson, November 21, 2004
  5. Concerning 'angelfood'
    From: Alan Osborne, March 19, 2004
  6. Hypselodoris bullocki in aquaria
    From: Steve Jen, March 19, 2004
  7. Hypselodoris picta in aquaria
    From: Susanne, March 18, 2004
  8. Question of an outsider ...
    From: Shoei, October 11, 2003
  9. More aquarium shop misinformation
    From: David Clay, March 23, 2003
  10. Need some advice - uninvited aquarium guests
    From: Jenifer, December 30, 2002
  11. Red Seaweed for sale
    From: Jim DeMattia, June 8, 2002
  12. Elysia crispata and Green Carpet Anemones
    From: Andy Feifarek, May 21, 2002
  13. Identity of Nudibranch mimic
    From: Raymond Mears , March 23, 2002
  14. Observing sea slugs in aquaria
    From: Sarah Bredensteiner, March 14, 2002
  15. We want to buy a nudibranch
    From: jennifer, March 10, 2002
  16. Opisthobranchs in Captivity - new book news
    From: Dave Behrens, February 7, 2002
  17. Introducing a sea slug
    From: Alisa Taylor, November 12, 2001
  18. More misinformation from nudibranch suppliers
    From: Michael Bloss, July 2, 2001
  19. Keeping nudibranchs in tanks
    From: Melinda Newton, May 31, 2001
  20. Keeping sea slugs in captivity
    From: Lorena Schwarz, May 28, 2001
  21. Sacoglossan Defenses
    From: Tina Calle, March 22, 2001
  22. keeping Spanish Dancers in aquaria
    From: Kyle, February 8, 2001
  23. Colored sea slug
    From: Robin, January 7, 2001
  24. Alternative to Sponges for Hypselodoris bullocki
    From: John Leventis, October 26, 2000
  25. Re: What do they eat?
    From: Darla Hatton, August 7, 2000
  26. Re: What do they eat?
    From: Darla Hatton, August 2, 2000
  27. Help identify species & what do they eat?
    From: Darla Hatton, August 1, 2000
  28. Re: what do they eat?
    From: Darla Hatton, August 1, 2000
  29. Sea Slug Info
    From: Cherish, April 7, 2000
  30. Seaslugs as pets
    From: Steven Grant, March 29, 2000
  31. Sea Slugs in a local Mall pet store
    From: Mike Thomas, February 13, 2000
  32. Advice on keeping nudibranchs in aquariums
    From: Phanor Montoya, August 22, 1999
  33. Nudibranch I.D.
    From: Adam Walbridge, August 20, 1999
  34. Can you recommend good aquarium species?
    From: Eirik Eilertsen , July 29, 1999
  35. Nudibranchs in the Reef Aquarium
    From: Theresa Coulter, May 23, 1999
  36. Re: keeping nudibranchs in the aquarium?
    From: Rob See, January 7, 1999
  37. Sea Slugs as Pets?
    From: Sam Noe, August 10, 1998
  38. Keeping sea slugs in captivity
    From: Stephen (Max) Gillies, July 9, 1998

Show factsheet and all related messages