Sea Slug ID? Hitchiker.

[Dunkpv]

I was wondering if anyone was able to ID this Sea Slug that hitchiked its way from the LFS. I cant id it and don't know if it will be harmful to my corals. I have some mushrooms, zoas, clam, torch, trumpets in a 14g nano with 15lbs of liverock and sand.

Here's a pic of him.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/185/441114683_8f176c9188_b.jpg]http://farm1.static.flickr.com/185/4411146...f176c9188_b.jpg

 

[Dunkpv]

I found it. Elysia Clarki

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

Would this be reef safe?

 

[LeslieH]

If you have nuisance algae you might have lucked out. This is a saccoglossan opistobranch, either Elysia crispata or Elysia clarki (depends on which taxonomist you follow). It's an herbivore that feeds on certain types of green algae. Food preferences vary between species and between adults & juveniles. You can read more about them at:
http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=elyscris
http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=elysclar

 

[LeslieH]

Yes, it's certainly reef safe. Without it's particular food it will starve to death. If you don't have any of the right algae in your tank you might consider giving it away to someone in your area who could take care of it properly.

 

[Dunkpv]

This one is about an inch long. I hear if they die off they release a toxin into the water. Would a clarki this size be harmful?

 

[LeslieH]

Although many branchs do have defensive chemicals &/or nematocysts the only ones that are toxic enough to nuke a tank belong in the family Phyllidiidae, AKA the "lumpy-bumpies". This one won't do more than add to your bioload when it dies.

 

[ILoveLlamas]

Ok, so if I were to make all your fancy names people friendly, I am seeing a sea hare right? I love those things. Hard to keep though, and they ink.

 

[LeslieH]

:lol: People friendly, it's a lettuce sea slug. Sea hares are in another group.