Why is my Sea Hare...Floating?!

[Tennyson]

I bought a large Sea Hare last night from the LFS to help rid of my hair algae. It's been doing great, but for some reason, it...floats to the surface of the tank as if it was filled with air.

It's still alive and healthy and is ok (=not floating) when it has a firm grip on the rocks,

Any advice as to what may have happened?

 

[greenbean36191]

Any idea what species of sea hare you have? Many of the larger species have the ability to swim. Other than that, air caught in the mantle cavity might be to blame. The only species I know of to float passively are some of the smallest ones.

 

[Tennyson]

I have no idea what kind of species it is. But whatever was in it is out and it's fine. thanks

 

[JasonD]

I purchased a large brown sea hare a couple of weeks ago and it is going to town on my algae in my 120. Question is what can you feed them when they run out of food? I tried nori he/she wasn't interested. Will lettuce work?

Thanks for any and all input.

Jason

 

[CadetMKultra]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14355747#post14355747 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JasonD
I purchased a large brown sea hare a couple of weeks ago and it is going to town on my algae in my 120. Question is what can you feed them when they run out of food? I tried nori he/she wasn't interested. Will lettuce work?

Thanks for any and all input.

Jason

Mine eats gracilaria and codium and even a little caulerpa. You can get these at florida-aqua-farms and reef-cleeners. I recomend getting lots of different macros, especially gracilarias of different colors. You just put them around the tank in a decorative way, and it'll chow down on them, and continue to clean your tank. Interestingly, when it eats red gracilaria it poops bright orange. My slug is a a Dolabella Auricularia. Look it up and see if it's that kind. Others are much pickier eaters from what I understand.

 

[JasonD]

Just checked out the sea slug forum and yes that is what I have Dolabella Auricularia. Will check out ordering food for the beast. He really does eat a lot its amazing!

Jason