Phyllidiella in aquarium

October 18, 2000
From: Scott Phillips

Can you ID this slug for me? It does not have the dorid type external gills, just 2 retractable stalks (soft) at the "head" end. Ive not observed it feeding on anything, but Ive had it in my reef tank for 2 months or so, and have not noticed any decline.
Thanks
Scott Phillips

hesaias1@bellsouth.net

Phillips, S., 2000 (Oct 18) Phyllidiella in aquarium. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/3184

Dear Scott,
Your animal is Phyllidiella pustulosa a dorid nudibranch which lacks the normal circle of dorsal gills found in dorids. Like all phyllidiids it also lacks radular teeth for feeding and have a specialised foregut and set of glands which reduces their food (sponges) to a liquid before they eat it. In this way they only need to suck it in. However, unless you have the right sponges in your aquarium I suspect your slug is slowly starving. The two retractable stalks at the head end are the rhinophores.

Phyllidiella pustulosa is usually pink but a green colour form is not that uncommon.

You should always treat phyllidiids in aquaria with care because they have skin glands which contain quite noxious chemicals. At times, if stressed, the glands can release their nasty load and kill everything in an aquarium. Your animal seems to be behaving quite resonably, but I wouldn't keep anything particularly special with it, just in case.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 2000 (Oct 18). Comment on Phyllidiella in aquarium by Scott Phillips. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/3184

Factsheet

Phyllidiella pustulosa

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