View Full Version : Purple Sea Slugs
Hi Guys
I have got sea slug which is violet in colour. Its has antenannes which is yellow on its back. However, yesterday, I saw it detaching some yellow stuff at the rear of my tank, it is coiled up and looks like a ribbon. The creature stays close to it.
I suspect that its a sperm sac or an egg sac, can anybody help? Shoild I remove it?
mogurnda
12-17-2003, 11:49 AM
Is it a chromodoris like this?
http://store6.yimg.com/I/marinedepotlive_1768_4609551
If so, it's unfortunate, but it will be dying of starvation. Most species in this genus eat sponges, and particular species at that.
Nudibranchs lay eggs in strands like you describe. Most, but not all nudibranchs hatch as planktonic larvae, so you probably won't get new little slugs. Some species contain toxins, so it's possible that animals in your tank could be poisoned by eating the larvae.
It really bothers me that stores sell these guys, when they are essentially doomed once they are removed from the reef.
Yes It is exactly the creature that you have posted. Should I remove the slug? or get some sponges for it to feed on? Please help
mogurnda
12-18-2003, 8:27 AM
I don't know what to do now. Finding the right sponge species to feed it will be essentially impossible. If I thought it would do any good, I would suggest bringing it back to the LFS and making them explain why they would sell an animal that is going to die of starvation. But it probably won't. I'd at least call them up and ask if you could bring it back.