Hitchhiker Sea Slug & Macro Algae ID

[SFREEF3R]

I've been observing this rock from Gulf Live Rock for a couple weeks and I'm pretty surprised I didn't notice this guy was in there.

I could also use an ID on the feathery Macro Algae. I've noticed some leaves suddenly appear shredded...wondering if this is its food of choice. This specimen is approximately 1" long.

 

[NoahLikesFish]

It is caleurpa idk the exact species though. That nudibranch probably eats stuff that came on the Lr. It could be a cool pet

 

[SFREEF3R]

It is caleurpa idk the exact species though.

Thanks for the ID! I had seen some Caulerpa images online that were similar, but hadn't seen any that were branching with multiple leaves off of the same stalk. I did a more thorough search after your post - I think it might be Palm Caleurpa (Caulerpa Paspaloides)

That nudibranch probably eats stuff that came on the Lr. It could be a cool pet

I hope so - the question is if I can figure out what it eats and grow enough to keep it alive!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Prolifera caulerpa and a possible member of phillydia nudibranch

 

[bickouder]

Top pic: clear anemone like coral is cup colony, red sponge of the left, macro algae is halimeda. Bottom pic: brain/favite Just keep your eyes and open. I got some stuff like that before and got a smashing mantis, and a worm that munched on Showbox jiofi.local.html tplinklogin snails

 

[JoannaCora]

Hi! I'm a little late, but I have additional input as I ordered the same rock and got the same new friend! It's almost certainly a subspecies of Bursatella leachii, a sea hare, not a nudibranch. I actually didn't find mine until weeks after receiving the rock either, and looking at it every day practically with a magnifying glass, perhaps they came in as eggs and that's why we didn't see them sooner... I named mine Wayne

And yes, the macroalgae is Caulerpa paspaloides.

 

[JoannaCora]

Additionally, in regards to what it eats, I’m sure it was raised on the paspaloides but I have c. prolifera in my tank which is Wayne’s preferred diet now, it grows much faster than paspaloides, probably enough to keep up with the sea hare if your start with enough.