Wedge sea hare
Dolabella auricularia
Also known as Blunt-End Sea Hare, Dolabella Sea Hare, Shoulderblade Sea Cat, Ragged Sea Hare
SaltwaterInvertebrate
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 11.8 in
- 30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 50 gal
- 190 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Aplysiidae
- Origin
- Widespread across the Indo-Pacific, grazing shallow sandy lagoon flats and seagrass beds.
Overview
It needs an established tank of at least 190 litres at 24 to 27 C and pH 8.1 to 8.4 with a steady supply of hair and film algae. It is strictly herbivorous and will not touch dry or frozen foods, so once it clears the algae it slowly starves unless you offer sheets of nori. Keep it away from pump intakes and overflows, and skip copper based medications, which sea hares do not tolerate.
In the wild
The wedge sea hare is a large lumpy sea slug, usually mottled brown or green, with a blunt squared-off rear end that gives it the name. It plows slowly across sand and rock mowing down algae. Big individuals can reach the size of a fist or larger.
Good to know
Dolabella auricularia can grow to around 30 cm and is one of the bulkiest sea hares kept in aquariums. When alarmed it can release a cloud of purple ink, and a large dying animal can foul a tank quickly.
Did you know
Compounds first isolated from this sea hare, the dolastatins, became the chemical starting point for several modern anti cancer drugs.
Common questions
What size tank does a Wedge sea hare need?
A Wedge sea hare needs at least 50 gal (190 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Wedge sea hare need?
A Wedge sea hare is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big does a Wedge sea hare get?
An adult Wedge sea hare reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).
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