Sea hares for algae control

[Damon Jensen]

There does not seem to be a large community for the sea hare, so let's start one. Let me introduce Bloberta, the Dolabella Auricularia or wedge sea hare. She ( I have no idea of the sex) absolutely devores algae. Suprisingly her tank mates let her be. I often move her from my DT to my refugium to control algae below. I will occasionally feed her algae, just to watch her eat. When she is full she buries herself for a few days.

Any other fans out there? If you have algae issues, you will quickly become a fan

 

[ihavecrabs]

Definitely a fan but haven’t had long-term luck keeping the sea hares healthy with supplemental feedings. They eat A LOT!

How long have you had yours for?

 

[Qasimja]

what type of algae do they eat? do they touch hair algae?

 

[ESH]

I had gotten one in the past month, but within an hour of putting it in the tank it disappeared. Haven’t seen it since. Any known predators of these algae eating machines?

 

[sfin52]

There does not seem to be a large community for the sea hare, so let's start one. Let me introduce Bloberta, the Dolabella Auricularia or wedge sea hare. She ( I have no idea of the sex) absolutely devores algae. Suprisingly her tank mates let her be. I often move her from my DT to my refugium to control algae below. I will occasionally feed her algae, just to watch her eat. When she is full she buries herself for a few days.

Any other fans out there? If you have algae issues, you will quickly become a fan

They are hermaphrodites. They lay eggs that are green brown string but they won't fertilize own eggs. I have not seen anything eat them. It's best to remove when found.
They work great for algea control. I have one in a 75g. Has been in there for more than a year.

 

[Raptor72]

Could you keep one alive in the sump with chaeto in between algae outbreaks?

 

[sfin52]

 

[sfin52]

Could you keep one alive in the sump with chaeto in between algae outbreaks?

Should be able too

 

[Damon Jensen]

Definitely a fan but haven’t had long-term luck keeping the sea hares healthy with supplemental feedings. They eat A LOT!

How long have you had yours for?

Well I originally had 2, Blobert, died in about 2 months, Bloberta is 18 months. I may have to get another one and see if they breed.

 

[Damon Jensen]

That is awesome!

 

[Damon Jensen]

what type of algae do they eat? do they touch hair algae?

They devour it like mad!!!!!!! They love it

 

[JayBee26]

Will they eat diatoms

 

[sfin52]

When or if they ink doesn't seem to be toxic and it wont kill the sea hare and won't nuke your tank. I would run carbon and skimmer. I had it ink in my tank a few weeks ago. My fault I tried to remove it from my job skimmer and it inked and turned my tank purple.

 

[Damon Jensen]

I had gotten one in the past month, but within an hour of putting it in the tank it disappeared. Haven’t seen it since. Any known predators of these algae eating machines?

They will bury themselves, I can go weeks without seeing mine. When the one died, it was found quickly

 

[sfin52]

Well I originally had 2, Blobert, died in about 2 months, Bloberta is 18 months. I may have to get another one and see if they breed.

What size tank. They eat a ton. I would only have one unless one can't keep up

 

[Damon Jensen]

Should be able too

I move mine downstairs and let it clean......keep it away from any intakes

 

[sfin52]

They will bury themselves, I can go weeks without seeing mine. When the one died, it was found quickly

They look like rock they can be hard to find. But I see mine a the time.

 

[Damon Jensen]

What size tank. They eat a ton. I would only have one unless one can't keep up

200 gl, you are probably correct about keeping 2. I had one for the main tank and one for the sump. The smaller one died

 

[Qasimja]

When or if they ink doesn't seem to be toxic and it wont kill the sea hare and won't nuke your tank. I would run carbon and skimmer. I had it ink in my tank a few weeks ago. My fault I tried to remove it from my job skimmer and it inked and turned my tank purple.

thats the reason ive always been afraid to get one

 

[Damon Jensen]

When or if they ink doesn't seem to be toxic and it wont kill the sea hare and won't nuke your tank. I would run carbon and skimmer. I had it ink in my tank a few weeks ago. My fault I tried to remove it from my job skimmer and it inked and turned my tank purple.

I believe they can be toxic, but like sea slugs it is more about the stress...and carbon