Strawberry Slug...need help

[A30sguy]

I recently bought a Strawberry Slug and he seems happy, wandering the tank but slowly getting smaller. I figure from a lack of a good diet.
I was told from the start that he doesnt really need special feeding and forages for food around the tank.
I didn't really believe that, so I looked up what they eat online and they posted a picture and the scientific name and said that it doesnt eat algea or sponges.....but it actually eats other sea slugs! Is this true? I have a Sea Hare and it hasn't eaten that. I find this hard to believe and it sounds like he's going to be expensive to feed if this is true.
Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[dc]

They all are such specialized feeders, they usually eat it and then die. I'm surprised LFS keep getting them in. I imagine some stores have no clue, but they should probably get one on certain things. Unfortunately we buy things on impulse and believe what they tell us. I've bought a few things I had no business owning, cause the LFS said it was fine. I research now, saves me a lot of money and worry.

In defense of the stores, they can't care or they'd never be able to stay in business.

 

[LeslieH]

It's true, sorry. Gymnodoris aurita only eats sea slugs. Other Gymnodoris species seem to prefer eating nudibranchs in the suborder Doridina but I've seen pictures/posts about them eating sea hares as well. Your sea hare may have good chemical defenses that the G. aurita doesn't like but then again it may be just a matter of time before he eats it. Nudibranchs don't live very long for the most part. I've seen estimates of a few months to a year for most species. Another reason why they're not good choices for reef tanks.