Mystery black Sea Slug

November 7, 2001
From: John Strawn

I sincerely hope that someone can find time to reply to my query. I have discovered a most unusual sea slug in my saltwater aquarium. I was unable to take a picture, but a verbal description can give a very precise description. The slug was about 1" in diameter, quite flat, a perfect circle, and pitch black!!! It was the most extraordinary thing I have ever seen. I turned on the light and the slug quickly made itself scarce. This is obviously a nocturnal slug. It's rhinophores were also quite far apart. I'm thinking that this may perhaps even be an unidentified species due to it's camouflage and nocturnal nature. Please get back to me if possible.

Thanks,
John Strawn

johnstrawn@hotmail.com

Strawn, J., 2001 (Nov 7) Mystery black Sea Slug. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5637

Dear John,
I'm afraid you don't give me a lot of information to work from other than the colour. One animal that does turn up quite often in saltwater aquariums, especially if you have added 'live rock' is the slug-like snail Scutus. Have a look at the information above your message on Scutus, and at the other messages below yours on this page.

If it is a true slug it will havea circle of gills on its back. If so, then it is possibly Dendrodoris nigra or Dendrodoris funata.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2001 (Nov 7). Comment on Mystery black Sea Slug by John Strawn. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5637

Factsheet

Elephant Slug, Shield Slug, Ducksbill Limpet (Scutus sp.)

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