Aplysia dactylomela (Spotted Sea Hare)

Aplysia dactylomela (Spotted Sea Hare)

Written by Marina Parha and George J. Reclos Sunday, 12 April 2009 00:00

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See photoalbum of Aplysia dactylomela.

 

General  

Scientific Name or classification 

Aplysia dactylomela   (Rang, 1828)

 

Common Name

Spotted sea hare.

Synonyms

None.

Family

 Aplysiidae

Etymology

Aplysia (Gk: unwashed, dirty); dactylo (Gk: ring) mela (Gk: black).

   

Species Information

Size (TL or SL in cm)

40 cm.

Identification

Aplysia dactylomela is generally a pale yellow to green color, though this varies greatly with the food that they consume, as they may be more orange if their diet consists primarily of red algae. A characteristic that differentiates A. dactylomela from others in its genus is the irregular black rings that cover its body. The dorsal surface of the mantle and parapodia are marked with irregular black blotches forming incomplete rings, while the remainder of its body is marked with more complete rings. The foot is broad and well developed, its anterior end is rounded, and the posterior end is more bluntly pointed. The foot has a rough texture, in contrast to the smooth soft surface of the rest of its body. The parapodia are an extension of the foot, in A. dactylomela they are high and thin, allowing the animals to swim in the water column. A reduced shell is covered by the mantle and the gills are located on the right side of the mantle between the shell and the right parapodia. (Borradaile and Potts, 1932; MacFarland, 1909). This sea hare is a good swimmer. As the Octopus, it uses purple ink to protect itself.

Sexing

Hermaphrodite. During mating they can operate as male and female at the same time. See Bill Rudman, Aplysia mating chain.

 

Habitat

Natural distribution                

This species of sea hare is cosmopolitan, being found in almost all tropical and temperate seas, including - recently - the Mediterranean Sea.

Salinity (range /
optimum)

1.026-1.032

Temperature

18o-25oC

Alcalinity (range /
optimum)

Will adapt to a great variety of values from Mediterranean to tropical.

Other parameters 

n / a

Collection Impact

None known to-date. It appears the animal can be removed without any impact on its environment.

 

Husbandry  

Minimum  aquarium
size

Thirty gallon (120 L), preferably larger.                                   

Light conditions

Needs strong light to ensure quick algae growth.

Suggested
Tankmates

Bigger fish and crustaceans may attack and destroy them.

Suitability for
reef tank

Will eat mainly green algae. Generally will not eat Caulerpa.

Recommended
Tank Size

125 gallon (500 L).

Care in Captivity 

Cannot withstand high currents, a lagoon type biotope tank is recommended. Needs a lot of food (see: Lighting). Aplysia dactylomela feeds on red and green algae. It uses its jaws to grasp the algae and its radula to pull the algae into its buccal cavity. The crop in A. dactylomela is lined with chitinous plates and acts like a gizzard to aide in the digestion of the larger seaweeds that it eats. Foods eaten: Chondrococcus hornemanni, Ulva reticulata, Laurencia spp., Martensia fragilis and Spyridia filamentosa.

Other remarks

 May release thick pink, non toxic ink when disturbed. A water change is recommended should this happen. Nocturnal species.
   

Breeding

Breeding                                                                                   

Hermadophrite. If two specimens are kept together in a large system they will breed and the larvae may survive. 

 

References / Citations:

1. Aplysia dactylomela

2. Sea slug forum

3. Aplysia dactylomela

 

 

 

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