Green spotted sea hare question

[a.stebel]

Hello. I really like sea hares, find them quite interesting. I was wondering if the Green Spotted sea hare will only feed on algae? Or what in fact they do eat. I would love to get him for my tank, but I want to make sure there is food for him.

 

[Elysia]

Which species are you refering to? Bursatella leachii? It is known to feed on a specific mat formiing cyanobacteria called Lyngbya majuscula.

 

[a.stebel]

Green Spotted sea hare

Green Spotted sea hare

I looked up the scientific name you gave, and that is the sea hare. Is the cyno food you describe for food common in reef tanks?

Which species are you refering to? Bursatella leachii? It is known to feed on a specific mat formiing cyanobacteria called Lyngbya majuscula.

 

[Elysia]

I'm not really sure -- I have never put my cyano under the microscope! I can tell you that these hares are often found in silty waters, so a tank that has atleast an area that includes some "miracle mud" with some sand over top might be advisable. But these hares are often collected this time of year when they are breeding in the shallows -- something they often do before coming to the end of their (often short) lives. So winter months are not always the best time to purchase sea hares -- or if you do purchase them, do not be surprised if the hare does not live long in your system.