Sea Hare Question

[TinkL]

Hello! I just recently picked up a Sea Hare (specifically a Californica) to help clean up remnants of the ugly phase... my question is are they able to consume large bushes of algae? or will I have to cut the algae down a bit for it to eat it. From what I've heard about these guys I assume it'll be able to devour the bushes but I thought I'd ask to clarify, thanks!

 

[GARRIGA]

Hopefully someone answers because I've heard the same in that sea hare the only viable option in the hobby that will eat GHA that's grown a bit. Although at some point they might starve to death.

 

[FUNGI]

They will consume it all.....I havent yet meet a sea hare who didnt

 

[TinkL]

They will consume it all.....I havent yet meet a sea hare who didnt

Thats what I like to hear lol

 

[sfin52]

Once algea is gone they starve. Also the sea hares that enter the hobby are fairly old and close to adult size and don't love long.

Most are starving by the time you get them.

 

[FUNGI]

Once algea is gone they starve. Also the sea hares that enter the hobby are fairly old and close to adult size and don't love long.

Most are starving by the time you get them.

Make sure there is an exit plan for the hare.....

 

[PharmrJohn]

Make sure there is an exit plan for the hare.....

Agreed. They tend to starve when the job's done.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello! I just recently picked up a Sea Hare (specifically a Californica) to help clean up remnants of the ugly phase... my question is are they able to consume large bushes of algae? or will I have to cut the algae down a bit for it to eat it. From what I've heard about these guys I assume it'll be able to devour the bushes but I thought I'd ask to clarify, thanks!

Some of the best hares are the dollabella but this will eat all loose filaments but prepare to trade it or sell it when supply runs out. Algae sheets will not cut it once the algae source is gone.

 

[TinkL]

Some of the best hares are the dollabella but this will eat all loose filaments but prepare to trade it or sell it when supply runs out. Algae sheets will not cut it once the algae source is gone.

Yup! I already planned on trading it to my LFS once there's no more / very little algae left.. or possibly posting it on a local group to see if anyone else needs to hire it.

 

[kiwikoxo]

Mine eats the bushes short but not to the rock. Mows it to a nice lawn. My sea urchin cleans it to the rock. I got TONS of seaweed for these guys, if not I will trade em in. I just love him so much. But I heard they grow BIG. Like 12 inches. The LFS said mine will be the size of a hamster so idk. It just a waiting game now.

 

[Nano_Man]

Yes they grow big well massive also when stressed out or under attack they let toxins off into the water it is not harmful to humans but other critters may be affected by it. The large one I had blew out ink if you tried to pick him up . Good luck with your sea hare

 

[sfin52]

Yes they grow big well massive also when stressed out or under attack they let toxins off into the water it is not harmful to humans but other critters may be affected by it. The large one I had blew out ink if you tried to pick him up . Good luck with your sea hare

I've had one ink in the tank no biggie and no critters lost because of it.

 

[Nano_Man]

I've had one ink in the tank no biggie and no critters lost because of it.

That’s good I’ve not had deaths from inking

 

[kiwikoxo]

Yes they grow big well massive also when stressed out or under attack they let toxins off into the water it is not harmful to humans but other critters may be affected by it. The large one I had blew out ink if you tried to pick him up . Good luck with your sea hare

Fun lol I do run carbon always. But I hope he doesn't do that.

 

[MrGisonni]

I was just at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences taking a tour with my students. They have an a lab there where they grow Aplysia californica, purple sea hare, there for sale to the medical industry for research. They feed them exclusively red gracilaria algae. They munch through it no problem

 

[kiwikoxo]

I was just at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences taking a tour with my students. They have an a lab there where they grow Aplysia californica, purple sea hare, there for sale to the medical industry for research. They feed them exclusively red gracilaria algae. They munch through it no problem

I heard some sea hares change color depending on what they eat! Idk thou, don't quote me.

 

[BubblesandSqueak]

I tried a dolabella but it wasn’t healthy and started to die. Pulled it when it kept rolling on its side. I read somewhere you can feed it boiled lettuce?