Unknown black sea slug in aquarium

February 16, 2003
From: Nate C.

We have a 75 gallon reef tank that has been up and going for 5-6 months after a complete loss. Today for the first time, we noticed a black mass on the side of a newly bought (5 days ago) toadstool. After pushing on an edge, we noticed two white "eyes" on protruding antenni that retracted. It then began to move away from my proddings, and we realized it was some type of sea slug. I've managed to get a picture of it, didn't notice any prominent gills, but didn't see a hard shell under skin flaps either. It seems to be fairly round in shape, not elongated, and also is quite flat. The picture shows the protruding white spots toward the bottom of the slug. Anyone have any ideas? Also, any idea what it feeds on? We have all soft corals, a max. clam, anemones, brain corals (think these are soft...but just in case), and various fish/inverts.
Nate

canfienl@gte.net

Nate, 2003 (Feb 16) Unknown black sea slug in aquarium. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/9224

Dear Nate,
This is either Dendrodoris nigra or Dendrodoris fumata. There is no easy way to tell them apart on your photo. A quite good way of separating them, if you want to, is to look at the gills. In D. nigra there are 10 or more small gills arranged in a circle right at the posterior end of the body, while in D. fumata there are usually 5 large branched gills attached further forward. D. nigra seems to be the most common of the two in aquaria. I guess it arrived on some live rock with its sponge food. Possibly you are now seeing it because it is eaten all its food and is on the prowl for more - and before you ask, I'm sorry but I don't know just which sponge it eats or where you can get some.
Cheers,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (Feb 16). Comment on Unknown black sea slug in aquarium by Nate C.. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/9224

Factsheet

Dendrodoris nigra

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