can someone id this reef dweller ?

Toothdr

Registered Member
Jul 10, 2005
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I need some help identifying this guy. I recently added some new corals to my aquarium and low and behold i spotted this fellow (some 3 inches long and shaped like a xmas tree) in my tank. He looks a heck of a lot like an algae covered rock and eats my green algae (not bad actually), but i am afraid that he may get much bigger and start eying my xenias or other softies. He has the consistency of jello (as i scooped it out of the aquarium and into the bag) and i have no problems with my hand so he is not poisonous - i know that was not too bright but i could not grab him with a net. Any help would be appreciated - looks like a funky sea slug, but unsure.

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Definitely a sea hare, maybe Dolobella. It will only eat algae, so don'tworry about your corals. The only major risk is that it will devour all the available algae and starve. It will also ink if harrassed, but I haven't seen that unless the slug is pinched or bitten.
 
Yes a sea hare! very cool! road in with some coral, huh? wow I paid 8.99 for mine. Your very lucky! I don't think those kind ink though because mine was hurassed by some damsels. They tore open his breathing holes (highly visible on his back) then he died :sad: . If I get another, I'll defenitly ditch the damsels next time. Good luck with yours!

mel
 
thanks all for your help! I am now thinking of sending the little guy off to my lfs before it starves because it has completely eradicated my algae issues. Thanks again!
 
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