My HH needs an ID

[3mm3]

Well I am looking for a positive ID.
This came in on some live rock a while back. When I first found him he was a small baby. I have not removed him. I have been keeping a very close eye on him and found that he does not go near any coral and strictly keeps on the hunt for algae. Also this is not nocturnal. Only comes out when the lights are on.
The picture is not the best so I will continue to try and get a better picture.
Thank you
Mark

 

[pagojoe]

This is a very cool-looking animal, and is probably one of the "Solar Powered" sacoglossan sea slugs (which would explain its preference for light).

http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=solarpow

I don't recognize the animal, but it very well may be figured on the Sea Slug Forum. Even though it has the green color of the slugs that store chloroplasts in their parapodia that produce energy for the animal, it has several characteristics that distinguish it from the common species of Elysia. Maybe Leslie or the LACM crowd will recognize it. If not, I'm certain that you could get an ID on the animal from Bill Rudman at the Sea Slug Forum, either directly or though Kathe Jensen, who has worked extensively with these animals.

Good Luck, & Cheers,



Don

 

[3mm3]

Thank you for the information.