Common name: blunt-end sea hare

Scientific name: Dolabella auricularia (Lightfoot, 1786)
giant sea hare from bottom eating algeabrown sea hare
giant sea hare from bottom eating algea

General information

The Dolabella Sea Hare, scientifically known as Dolabella auricularia, is a large and unique marine gastropod mollusk. It is well-known for its distinctive, ear-like shape and its ability to produce a purple ink when threatened. This inking is a defense mechanism against predators, similar to the way squids and octopuses use ink.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
75 liter (20 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.022 to 1.025
Temperature
22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
Acidity
pH 8.1 to 8.4
Average size
30 cm (1′)
Care level
Moderate to easy Needs ample space to graze
Diet
Herbivore Grazes on algae
Reefsafe
Yes
Aggression
Peaceful
Captive bred
No

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Mollusks
    Mollusca
  3. Class
    Gastropods
    Gastropoda
  4. Order
    Sea Hares
    Anaspidea
  5. Family
    Sea Hares
    Aplysiidae
  6. Genus
    Dolabella Sea Hare
    Dolabella
  7. Species
    blunt-end sea hare
    Dolabella auricularia (Lightfoot, 1786)
  8. Synonyms
    Aplysia ecaudata Rang, 1828
    Aplysia gigas Rang, 1828
    Aplysia teremidi Rang, 1828
    Aplysia truncata Rang, 1828
    Dolabella callosa Lamarck, 1801
    Dolabella ecaudata (Rang, 1828)
    Dolabella gigas Rang, 1828
    Dolabella rumphii Blainville, 1819
    Dolabella rumphii Cuvier
    Dolabella rumphii maculosa Bergh, 1905
    Dolabella scapula (Martyn, 1786)
    Patella auricularia Lightfoot, 1786
    Patella scapula Martyn, 1786

Care

Dolabella Sea Hares are herbivorous and require a diet rich in macroalgae to thrive in captivity. They are excellent algae grazers and can help control algae growth in a reef tank. However, they can grow quite large, up to 30 centimeters in length, and therefore need a spacious tank with plenty of live rock and hiding places.

Reproduction

In the wild, Dolabella Sea Hares are known to form mating chains during reproduction. They are simultaneous hermaphrodites, meaning each individual can act as both male and female during these chains. In the aquarium, breeding is less common but can occur if conditions are favorable.

Habitat

Dolabella Sea Hares are found in shallow waters, often in seagrass beds and on rocky or sandy substrates. They are distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific Ocean.