What does Aplysia punctata eat?

August 7, 2000
From: Trevor Shand

I know that sea hares eat algae (seaweeds) but does it have to be a particular type of seaweed for a certain Sea Hare. At the moment I have a Aplysia punctata and would like to know what seaweed is best to feed it with.

Trevor Shand

trevor.shand@lineone.net

Shand, T., 2000 (Aug 7) What does Aplysia punctata eat?. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2850

Dear Trevor,
Good question! I am sure some research worker or student must have studied the diet of this common Sea Hare but from a quick look around I can't find much in the way of information except for Thompson's (1976) references to studies conducted in 1914 and 1921. Many Sea Hares are thought to settle out of the plankton on to red algae, on which they feed, and then gradually move to brown and green algae as they move upshore.

In the case of A. punctata it is reported to feed on the red algae Polysiphonia and Ceramium when young, and then move to the brown alage Fucus and the green Ulva as it moves up the shore. However the whole idea of migration up the shore is also disputed.

If you are keeping these animals in an aquarium my advice would be to try the Sea Lettuce Ulva as both red and brown algae are quite difficult to keep alive in aquaria and they also release chemicals into the water which could kill other life in your tank. Ulva on the other hand is quite tolerant of a wide range of enviromental conditions and as far as I know, doesn't release nasty substances into the water.

I would be interested in any information on research that has been conducted into the feeding biology, and other aspects of the life history of A. punctata

Reference: Thompson, T.E. (1976) Biology of Opisthobranch Molluscs, Vol 1. Ray Society: London.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 2000 (Aug 7). Comment on What does Aplysia punctata eat? by Trevor Shand. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2850

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