Advice of keeping Elysia in captivity

September 15, 2001
From: Kathleen Archer

Note added 30 May 2006: This may also refer to Elysia clarki, a new species which was previously considered a colour form of E. crispata

I am just beginning a research project on sacoglossans which retain chloroplasts. Dr. Mary Rumpho, who works with Elysia chlorotica, has generously agreed to collaborate. I would like to look at Elysia chlorotica which will be available for collection from the wild in these parts in late October, but I understand that several tropical aquarium supply houses have a related species, Elysia crispata (formerly Tridachia crispata) available for purchase. I'm interested in working with this species as well.

I am a plant biologist by training, and my interest is in the chloroplasts, and how the slug cooperates with the chloroplasts to give them the environment they need to stay functional and healthy. To start some experiments, I will need to keep E. crispata alive for as along as I can, and so I am interested in information on the conditions, setup, etc. that works the best for this animal. I'm also interested in finding books and articles on how to maintain E. crispata in captivity.

Any first hand information, or suggestion of useful books or articles would be most appreciated.

Thanks very much for your time,
Kathleen Archer

Dept. Biology
Trinity College
Hartford, CT 06106
USA.

Kathleen.Archer@trincoll.edu

Archer, K., 2001 (Sep 15) Advice of keeping Elysia in captivity. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5268

Dear Kathleen,
Good Luck with your research project. from the messages on the Elysia crispata page it seems they are nnot that difficult to keep and breed in aquaria. Perhaps contact some of the people who have had success in keeping them. As far as a commercial source of supply I suggest you do a web search as commercial suppliers seem to come and go. I did a quick search with www.google.com and found a couple. Ignore their information on feeding etc - I am amazed at what rubbish is being posted on most of these sites. You will need to search on 'Lettuce Slug' 'Tridachia crispata' and 'Elysia crispata' as all three names are used.

Hopefully though, someone reading this will contact you with better information. Please keep in touch with Forum, and let us know what success you have at keeping them alive. It could help some future researcher.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2001 (Sep 15). Comment on Advice of keeping Elysia in captivity by Kathleen Archer . [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5268

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