Proper name of a species of sea hare

Mikro · 05/11/2008, 04:54 PM

I want to order a sea hare that will eat hair algae but I can only come up with the genus which is Dolabella. The lfs will order whatever I can come up with.

Thanks...

Whisperer · 05/11/2008, 06:31 PM

I would skip sea hare. IME, they are short lived in captivity. Mine lived only a couple of weeks and so did a couple of my friends. Mine did not even touch the hair algae. JME.

Mikro · 05/11/2008, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Whisperer
I would skip sea hare. IME, they are short lived in captivity. Mine lived only a couple of weeks and so did a couple of my friends. Mine did not even touch the hair algae. JME.

So you think a phosban reactor is better?

Neptune777 · 05/11/2008, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Whisperer
I would skip sea hare. IME, they are short lived in captivity. Mine lived only a couple of weeks and so did a couple of my friends. Mine did not even touch the hair algae. JME.

I would disagree.

They are actually very good HA eaters if you get the correct species. The kind you want is Dolabella...they will go to town on HA. I have had them live for a very long time as long as they are healthy when first purchased.

Whisperer · 05/11/2008, 06:51 PM

You can disagree all you want. Do you still have yours? And how can you tell a healthy one? Do tell us.

Untamed12 · 05/11/2008, 06:55 PM

I have had mine for a year and a half now. It has been laying eggs regularly for the past 3 months. (That's actually worrisome since I believe they do this in their final years...)

The most interesting part of this is that the hair algae disappeared from my tank 6 months ago, and the sea hare continues to be fine.

Yes, when the hair algae was there...the sea hare used to eat it.

I don't know what he eats now, but he is eating something...because he is huge.

Neptune777 · 05/11/2008, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Whisperer
You can disagree all you want. Do you still have yours? And how can you tell a healthy one? Do tell us.

I will assume that response was not meant to be as rude as it comes across in the text.....

and I will answer your questions.

Previous 120g had a Sea hare that lived for a year before getting eaten by my maxi-jet mods. I have had my current sea hares in my 220g for several weeks now...they have eaten HA with gusto. To tell if they are outwardly healthy I look for active specimens in the store that are feeding on algae at the time....which is what I did with my current pair.

Sounds like you were unlucky with the specimens you purchased...Dolabella are pretty hardy. Other species are not as much and will not eat HA.

Neptune777 · 05/11/2008, 07:11 PM

I will also add that local club members have shared the same sea hares by passing them on from tank to tank as they consume the HA....they will live for a fairly long time.

Mikro · 05/11/2008, 09:42 PM

So if I jusr order a Dolabella I should be okay?

Neptune777 · 05/12/2008, 08:35 AM

Dolabella auricularia I believe is the most common one available.

Mikro · 05/12/2008, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Neptune777
Dolabella auricularia I believe is the most common one available.

Got it, thanks...

05/11/2008, 04:54 PM	#1
Mikro Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Omaha,NE U.S.A. Posts: 1,093	Proper name of a species of sea hare I want to order a sea hare that will eat hair algae but I can only come up with the genus which is Dolabella. The lfs will order whatever I can come up with. Thanks... __________________ Mikro Current Tank Info: On 12/18/04 Started 75gal. reef tank

05/11/2008, 06:31 PM	#2
Whisperer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Punta Gorda, FL Posts: 4,020	I would skip sea hare. IME, they are short lived in captivity. Mine lived only a couple of weeks and so did a couple of my friends. Mine did not even touch the hair algae. JME. __________________ The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten. --------- No one is born with intellect and age guarantees wisdom to no one. Current Tank Info: 120G reef, 30G sump, 10G QT tank

05/11/2008, 06:51 PM	#5
Whisperer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Punta Gorda, FL Posts: 4,020	You can disagree all you want. Do you still have yours? And how can you tell a healthy one? Do tell us. __________________ The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten. --------- No one is born with intellect and age guarantees wisdom to no one. Current Tank Info: 120G reef, 30G sump, 10G QT tank

05/11/2008, 06:55 PM	#6
Untamed12 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 1,578	I have had mine for a year and a half now. It has been laying eggs regularly for the past 3 months. (That's actually worrisome since I believe they do this in their final years...) The most interesting part of this is that the hair algae disappeared from my tank 6 months ago, and the sea hare continues to be fine. Yes, when the hair algae was there...the sea hare used to eat it. I don't know what he eats now, but he is eating something...because he is huge. __________________ Fishlist: Tangs: Yellow, Vlamingi, Blonde Naso, Unicorn, Atlantic Blue Others: Maroon Clown(s), Foxface, Majestic Angel, Hawkfish and more.. Current Tank Info: 400gal Envision Acrylic reef started 04/07

05/11/2008, 09:42 PM	#9
Mikro Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Omaha,NE U.S.A. Posts: 1,093	So if I jusr order a Dolabella I should be okay? __________________ Mikro Current Tank Info: On 12/18/04 Started 75gal. reef tank

05/11/2008, 07:11 PM	#8
Neptune777 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,700	I will also add that local club members have shared the same sea hares by passing them on from tank to tank as they consume the HA....they will live for a fairly long time.

05/12/2008, 08:35 AM	#10
Neptune777 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,700	Dolabella auricularia I believe is the most common one available.