Dolabella Sea Hare (Dolabella auricularia)
Max Size: 1 foot
Diet: Herbivore
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons
The Dolabella Sea Hare, also known as the Wedge Sea Hare, is a highly efficient algae eater that swiftly tackles hair algae issues. When startled, it has the ability to release a purple dye as a defense mechanism against attacking fish. In a home aquarium, it is crucial to have a reliable chemical filtration system in place to promptly remove this toxic dye before it poses any harm.
In its natural habitat, the Dolabella Sea Hare typically inhabits shallow areas with seagrasses and coral rubble, showing a preference for shaded spots. Therefore, it is important to provide adequate cover from intense lighting in the aquarium. This species requires a spacious environment to move around and prefers an aquarium setup with live rock and open sandy areas, allowing it to graze on algae. The Dolabella Sea Hare is sensitive to elevated levels of copper-based medications and cannot tolerate poor water conditions, particularly high nitrates.
If regular feedings of Caulerpa algae are not feasible, a supplemented diet is necessary for the Dolabella Sea Hare. This can include parboiled lettuce and dried kelp to meet its nutritional needs.
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