Keeping nudibranchs in tanks

May 31, 2001
From: Melinda Newton

I live in central California and I have a saltwater reef tank that has been set up for about 8 months now. I would like to add a nudibranch and was wondering if there is one that is easily taken care of or has a diet that is easy to provide for? My local Fish store can order nudibranchs but They dont have the proper infromation for me. I do not wish to be a murderer of nudibranchs. Please help. Provide picture if possible.

Thanks so much
Melinda

platime@pacbell.net

Newton, M., 2001 (May 31) Keeping nudibranchs in tanks. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/4409

Dear Melinda,
The short answer is don't. Unless you can find a species which you can feed regularly there is no point in trying. If you are working from bought specimens I don't encourage it because the shopkeepers don't know what they are doing. The only people who successfully keep nudibranchs alive are those who are close to the sea, can collect them themselves, can find out themselves what they eat and regularly provide fresh food. I am sorry to be negative about this, but it is only a few years ago that most tropical marine fish could not be kept alive by amateurs. Only after much trial and error and research were appropriate supplementary foods developed which could make up for the loss of their real diets. At present we don't even know the 'real' diets of most nudibranchs so finding substitute foods has still a long way to go.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2001 (May 31). Comment on Keeping nudibranchs in tanks by Melinda Newton. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/4409

Factsheet

Keeping sea slugs in captivity

Related messages

  1. Is It Possible To legally Purchase Phyllidia ocellata?
    From: Jason Brooks, May 5, 2010
  2. Unknown sea slug
    From: Jupiter dale, March 19, 2010
  3. Re: Chromodoris annae in aquarium
    From: R. Grooters & M. Snoek, March 7, 2008
  4. Chromodoris annae in aquarium
    From: Mattias Westermark, March 5, 2008
  5. Hypselodoris bullocki and aquarium shops
    From: joshua sampson, November 21, 2004
  6. Concerning 'angelfood'
    From: Alan Osborne, March 19, 2004
  7. Hypselodoris bullocki in aquaria
    From: Steve Jen, March 19, 2004
  8. Hypselodoris picta in aquaria
    From: Susanne, March 18, 2004
  9. Question of an outsider ...
    From: Shoei, October 11, 2003
  10. More aquarium shop misinformation
    From: David Clay, March 23, 2003
  11. Need some advice - uninvited aquarium guests
    From: Jenifer, December 30, 2002
  12. Red Seaweed for sale
    From: Jim DeMattia, June 8, 2002
  13. Elysia crispata and Green Carpet Anemones
    From: Andy Feifarek, May 21, 2002
  14. Identity of Nudibranch mimic
    From: Raymond Mears , March 23, 2002
  15. Observing sea slugs in aquaria
    From: Sarah Bredensteiner, March 14, 2002
  16. We want to buy a nudibranch
    From: jennifer, March 10, 2002
  17. Opisthobranchs in Captivity - new book news
    From: Dave Behrens, February 7, 2002
  18. Introducing a sea slug
    From: Alisa Taylor, November 12, 2001
  19. More misinformation from nudibranch suppliers
    From: Michael Bloss, July 2, 2001
  20. Keeping sea slugs in captivity
    From: Lorena Schwarz, May 28, 2001
  21. Sacoglossan Defenses
    From: Tina Calle, March 22, 2001
  22. keeping Spanish Dancers in aquaria
    From: Kyle, February 8, 2001
  23. Colored sea slug
    From: Robin, January 7, 2001
  24. Alternative to Sponges for Hypselodoris bullocki
    From: John Leventis, October 26, 2000
  25. Re: What do they eat?
    From: Darla Hatton, August 7, 2000
  26. Re: What do they eat?
    From: Darla Hatton, August 2, 2000
  27. Help identify species & what do they eat?
    From: Darla Hatton, August 1, 2000
  28. Re: what do they eat?
    From: Darla Hatton, August 1, 2000
  29. Sea Slug Info
    From: Cherish, April 7, 2000
  30. Seaslugs as pets
    From: Steven Grant, March 29, 2000
  31. Sea Slugs in a local Mall pet store
    From: Mike Thomas, February 13, 2000
  32. Advice on keeping nudibranchs in aquariums
    From: Phanor Montoya, August 22, 1999
  33. Nudibranch I.D.
    From: Adam Walbridge, August 20, 1999
  34. Can you recommend good aquarium species?
    From: Eirik Eilertsen , July 29, 1999
  35. Nudibranchs in the Reef Aquarium
    From: Theresa Coulter, May 23, 1999
  36. Re: keeping nudibranchs in the aquarium?
    From: Rob See, January 7, 1999
  37. Sea Slugs as Pets?
    From: Sam Noe, August 10, 1998
  38. Keeping sea slugs in captivity
    From: Stephen (Max) Gillies, July 9, 1998

Show factsheet and all related messages