Hitchhiker Seaslug ID please!

March 13, 2003
From: Mok-Yi Chow

Hi!
This tiny sea slug came off my live rock as a hitchhiker. I never thought too much about him since I figured he'd probably perish after awhile... but 2 months later he is still alive and kicking, and actually got slightly bigger! I am wondering if you can help me ID him? I guess he is finding food in my aquarium.

Thanks!
Mok-Yi Chow

mychow@erols.com

Chow, M.Y., 2003 (Mar 13) Hitchhiker Seaslug ID please!. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/8991

Dear Mok-Yi,
It's a bit hard to identify these animals from underneath and with no idea where in the world they came from. However one possibility is the little chromodorid Durvilledoris lemniscata. These animals are specialised sponge feeders and so I wouldn't normally consider them as potential 'hitchhikers' if it weren't for Jim Roth's recent message. Perhaps they feed on a crevice-dwelling sponge, and because of their small size, only eat it fairly slowly.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (Mar 13). Comment on Hitchhiker Seaslug ID please! by Mok-Yi Chow. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/8991

Factsheet

Durvilledoris lemniscata

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