Melibe sp? in my aquarium

February 15, 2006
From: Michael Biester


Hello,

I hope you are able to help me. Today i bought this snail, it seems to be a Melibe sp.

It is most probably a Caribbean sp, able to swim and seems to feed on plankton, Its present length is 10 cm.

Are you able to identify it and give me information on how to keep it?

Many thanks in advance
Michael

m.biester@web.de

Biester, M., 2006 (Feb 15) Melibe sp? in my aquarium. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15823

Dear mbb,
This is indeed a species of Melibe but I suspect it is from somewhere in the Indian or Pacific oceans. It look quite like Melibe engeli but I wonder if it is a bit too 'hairy' for that species.

Concerning feeding. Species of Melibe use their large oral hood as a sort of fishing net to catch and eat small shrimps, crabs and other crustacea. I think most aquarium shops stock the eggs of the Brine Shrimp [Artemia]. If you tried feeding it Brine Shrimp larvae or even adults, I am sure it would be grateful. I am not sure how long it is likely to live in your aquarium as most nudibranchs live only for a few months, but if you can get it to eat Artemia  at least it will die of old age rather than starvation.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Feb 15). Comment on Melibe sp? in my aquarium by Michael Biester. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15823

Factsheet

Melibe engeli

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