Common name: pleasant chelidonura

General information

The Chelidonura amoena, commonly known as the Blue Velvet Slug or Headshield Slug, is a striking sea slug found in the tropical Indo-Pacific region. This species is part of the Aglajidae family and is known for its vibrant blue coloration with black lines and spots, which makes it a visually appealing addition to any reef aquarium. Despite its common name, it is not a true slug but a type of headshield slug, which refers to the shield-like structure that covers the head and may serve to protect the slug when burrowing into the substrate.

Care

Chelidonura amoena requires a well-established aquarium with a mature sand bed and live rock to thrive. They are sensitive to water quality and require stable conditions with low nitrate levels. These slugs are known for their diet of flatworms, making them beneficial for controlling flatworm populations in the aquarium. However, their specialized diet means they can starve if flatworms are not present, so it's important to ensure a sustainable food source or be prepared to supplement their diet.

Reproduction

Reproduction in Chelidonura amoena is not commonly observed in the home aquarium. In the wild, they are hermaphrodites, possessing both male and female reproductive organs, and can lay egg masses that hatch into free-swimming larvae.

Habitat

Chelidonura amoena is typically found in shallow, tropical reef environments where it inhabits sandy areas and seagrass beds. They are often seen during the day, moving across the substrate in search of flatworms.