Sea Hare

[CAreefGIRL]

Can someone give me their perspective of sea hares? I know nudibranches can be toxic, however, this weekend while visiting the LFS, and one of the employees said sea hares were not toxic.
I've tried to do research online, but seem to be getting conflicting information.
I thought they were really cool looking, but don't want to jeopardize the rest of my tank.
:dontknow:

 

[bella aqua]

shreks rock!! have 2 in tank, help as clean up crew
no worries, not toxic,just make sure you get them out if the die as you would anything else

 

[CAreefGIRL]

Thanks Bella. You know, some of the guys at the LFS will tell you anything to make the sale.

Do you feed them anything special? Or just let them graze off the tank?

 

[ReeferChick85]

Can someone give me their perspective of sea hares? I know nudibranches can be toxic, however, this weekend while visiting the LFS, and one of the employees said sea hares were not toxic.
I've tried to do research online, but seem to be getting conflicting information.
I thought they were really cool looking, but don't want to jeopardize the rest of my tank.
:dontknow:

I did my fair share of research on sea hares myself before getting one and they're totally reef safe. Just make sure you take it out of your tank asap if it's dead because it does have some "inking" like substance they release and can irritate certain corals but nothing a little carbon can't fix. But definitely take it out if you see it dead. It's just easier that way

I got one to help clean up my hairy green algae issue I was having and it sure did it's job but died after a week or so even tho I still had plenty for him to eat . I have no idea why he died and there are many reasons to it. But after 2 days of him being in the same position and same spot I decided to remove it from my tank. Thank god I did cuz he died 20 min later in the container and mann did it smell sooo rancid it hurt my nose hahaha!! He was a big one too (4in or so).

Do you have an algae issue or something? They die if they don't have anything to eat and I've heard some people try feeding seaweed to it once it's finished eating all the algae but it's a hot or miss if they respond to that seaweed. Very helpful little creatures and kinda cute for sure!! It does remind me of Shrek!! hahaha!!

 

[supmar85]

ive been thinking of getting one since i have had a problem with hair algae but read that it emits a toxin from it body, thanks for the info reefergirl

 

[jok312]

i just got a sea hare and it turned my tank super red.. my skimmer was over skimming like crazy.. i have no idea why it released all that ink into the water other than that in the morning i saw a hermit crab yanking on its ear as it passed by.. other than that i have no problems with it