Warty Sea Hare
Dolabella auricularia
The Sea Hare is a legendary, voracious consumer of nuisance hair algae in marine tanks. It requires large amounts of algae to prevent starvation.
Température de l’eau
24 - 28 °C
Valeur du pH
8.1 - 8.4
Type d'eau
Marin
Type d'invertébré
Marine snail
Taille adulte
20 cm
Groupe minimal
>= 1
Rôle écologique
Scavenger
Sensibilité au cuivre
High
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Dolabella auricularia is widely distributed throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii and northern Australia. It inhabits shallow sheltered bays, sea grass beds, inner reef flats, and sandy lagoons at depths of 1 to 20 meters.
Taxonomy: Belonging to the family Aplysiidae, this is a large sea hare species growing up to 20-30 cm. It features a wedge-shaped, stocky body covered in warty papille and skin flaps that provide excellent camouflage on sandy bottoms. An internal ear-like shell is hidden inside the mantle.
Social Behavior: Peaceful, slow-moving, and nocturnal. During the day, it remains buried in the sand or hidden under rock overhangs. If severely stressed or physically attacked, it can release a thick cloud of purple ink as a defensive deterrent to predators.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Body coloration ranges from mottled brown and olive-green to dull grey, blending with benthic algae. This species is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, meaning individuals possess both male and female reproductive organs; there is no sexual dimorphism.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Tank Setup: A large, mature marine aquarium of at least 250-300 liters is required. Provide deep sand areas and secure rock structures with large caves. The presence of a substantial, natural growth of hair algae is critical before introducing this animal.
Diet and Feeding: Voracious herbivores. They specialize in eating nuisance green hair algae, turf algae, and macro-algae. Once the natural algae in the aquarium is consumed, they must be fed daily with dried Nori seaweed sheets anchored to the bottom to prevent starvation.
Water Quality: Requires stable marine parameters: temperature 24-26°C, salinity 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4, and low nitrates. Highly sensitive to copper, chlorine, and sudden shifts in salinity. Excellent protein skimming and oxygenation are necessary.
Compatibility and Tankmates: Completely reef-safe and peaceful. Never keep with aggressive or predatory fish that might pick at its skin (e.g. puffers, triggerfish, large wrasses, or large crabs), which can trigger toxic inking events.
Aquarium Breeding: Breeding in home aquariums is highly unlikely. They mate in chains or pairs, laying gelatinous yellow egg masses resembling tangled noodles. The larvae are planktonic and require specific micro-algae cultures, making rearing impossible in a reef tank.
Risks and Diseases: Starvation is the leading cause of mortality in clean systems. The defensive release of purple ink is highly toxic to fish in closed systems and requires immediate treatment with activated carbon, protein skimming, and a large water change.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Dolabella auricularia is widely distributed throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii and northern Australia. It inhabits shallow sheltered bays, sea grass beds, inner reef flats, and sandy lagoons at depths of 1 to 20 meters.
Origine
Océans tropicaux et récifsAfrique et MadagascarAustralie, Nouvelle-Guinée et Océanie
Profil d'invertébré
- Régime alimentaire
- Herbivore
- The diet of Dolabella auricularia must be carefully managed to ensure robust health, vibrant coloration, and long-term survival in captivity. In its natural environment, it has specific foraging habits that should be replicated as closely as possible in the aquarium. Supplementing its diet with high-quality, targeted commercial foods or fresh preparations ensures it receives necessary vitamins and minerals. Care should be taken not to overfeed, as uneaten food will quickly degrade water quality and harm the animal.
- Rôle écologique
- Scavenger
- Within its native ecosystem, Dolabella auricularia plays a vital biological role that contributes to the overall stability of the environment. Whether acting as a scavenger, filter feeder, predator, or prey, it helps to efficiently cycle nutrients through the food web. Its natural behaviors prevent the over-accumulation of organic waste or the unchecked growth of specific prey populations. Introducing this species to a home aquarium often replicates these beneficial ecological functions, promoting a cleaner and more balanced system.
- Espérance de vie
- 1 years
- Taille adulte
- 20 cm
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- While not generally known for jumping out of the water like some fish, Dolabella auricularia can exhibit sudden, frantic escape responses when startled. Crabs and snails, in particular, may deliberately climb above the waterline and explore beyond the rim of an open aquarium. To prevent tragic accidents and desiccation, a well-fitted lid or tight netting is highly recommended for any tank housing this species. Providing adequate hiding spaces also reduces the likelihood of panic-induced erratic movements.
- Sensibilité aux chocs
- High
- Aquarists must be aware that Dolabella auricularia is exceptionally sensitive to rapid fluctuations in its surrounding water parameters. Sudden shifts in temperature, specific gravity, pH, or dissolved organics can induce severe physiological shock, leading to rapid decline or death. A prolonged and careful drip acclimation process is highly recommended whenever moving this animal between systems. Maintaining pristine and unwavering water conditions is arguably the single most critical factor for its successful husbandry.
- Calcium et minéraux
- Low
- Proper mineral balance is crucial for Dolabella auricularia, as it requires consistent access to dissolved calcium and related trace elements for physiological maintenance. Depending on its specific biology, calcium is utilized for building external shells, hardening exoskeletons after molting, or supporting skeletal growth. In enclosed aquarium systems, these essential minerals can be rapidly depleted and may require regular supplementation. Routine water testing is encouraged to ensure that general hardness or specific calcium levels remain within the optimal range.
- Mue
- No
- For invertebrate species that undergo ecdysis, Dolabella auricularia requires a safe and stress-free environment to successfully shed its old exoskeleton. During and immediately following a molt, the animal's new shell is soft, leaving it extremely vulnerable to physical damage and predation. It is important to provide ample hiding spaces where it can retreat until its body fully hardens. If applicable, the discarded exoskeleton should be left in the tank, as the animal will often consume it to reclaim vital minerals.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- The reproductive strategies of Dolabella auricularia are varied and often highly adapted to its natural environmental conditions. Breeding efforts in a captive aquarium setting can range from straightforward to exceedingly difficult, often depending on specific larval requirements. Successful rearing of young frequently involves managing microscopic planktonic stages and specialized diets away from the main display tank. Nevertheless, captive propagation remains a rewarding endeavor that helps reduce the reliance on wild-caught specimens.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Reef safe with caution
- Careful consideration of tank mates is required to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Dolabella auricularia in a community setup. It should generally be housed with peaceful species that will not relentlessly harass it, nip at its appendages, or view it as a food source. Conversely, its own predatory or territorial instincts must be evaluated to ensure it does not harm smaller or slower-moving tank inhabitants. Observation during the initial introduction period is vital to confirm a harmonious balance within the aquarium.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
SeaLifeBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
SeaLifeBase v26.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Résilience
- Élevée (moins de 15 mois)
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