Hitch-hiking Melibe engeli

January 30, 2004
From: Joe Yaiullo


Dear Dr. Rudman,
We came across this nudibranch in one of our coral propagation troughs today. All live rock came from the Pacific. Do you know what species it is? It readily eats Artemia nauplii and would scrape the tank walls with its large "mouth". I have attached 3 photos.
Thank you,
Joe Yaiullo

justjoe63@aol.com

Yaiullo, J., 2004 (Jan 30) Hitch-hiking Melibe engeli. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/12054

Dear Joe,
If you find very strange animals interesting, then you have hot the jackpot here. This is Melibe engeli. Like all the members of its family it feeds on small crustacea which it catches in its enormous 'oral hood'. If you look at the species' Fact Sheet it should give you some background information.

We know very little about the life cycles of these animals but as long as you don't mind losing a few nauplii, I am sure it will live quite happily in your coral propagation troughs without interfering
Best wishes
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2004 (Jan 30). Comment on Hitch-hiking Melibe engeli by Joe Yaiullo. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/12054

Factsheet

Melibe engeli

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