Common name: Sea Slug
General information
The Dotted Sea Slug, scientifically known as Jorunna funebris, is a species of nudibranch, a group of soft-bodied, marine gastropod mollusks. This species is easily recognizable by its velvety black body adorned with numerous small white dots, which gives it a striking appearance. Nudibranchs like Jorunna funebris are known for their bright and varied colors and are often considered the 'butterflies of the sea' due to their beauty.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 75 liter (20 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.023 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 7 cm (3″)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy Sensitive to water quality.
- Diet
- Carnivore Feeds on sponges in the wild.
- Reefsafe
- Yes
- Aggression
- Peaceful
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumMollusksMollusca
- ClassGastropodsGastropoda
- OrderNudibranchsNudibranchia
- FamilyDiscodorid NudibranchsDiscodorididae
- GenusJorunna NudibranchJorunna
- SpeciesSea SlugJorunna funebris (Kelaart, 1859)
- SynonymsDiscodoris wetleyi Allan, 1932Doris funebris Kelaart, 1859Jorunna zania Ev. Marcus, 1976Kentrodoris annuligera Bergh, 1876Kentrodoris funebris (Kelaart, 1859)Kentrodoris gigas Bergh, 1876Kentrodoris maculosa Eliot, 1906
Care
Jorunna funebris requires a well-established reef aquarium with stable water conditions and plenty of live rock for grazing. They are sensitive to water quality and require a diet rich in sponges and other benthic invertebrates. It's important to note that they may not be suitable for a reef tank with a diverse coral population, as they can sometimes harm certain coral species.
Reproduction
Like many nudibranchs, Jorunna funebris is a hermaphrodite, possessing both male and female reproductive organs. They lay spiral ribbons of eggs, which hatch into free-swimming larvae before settling down and transforming into the adult form.
Symbiosis
While Jorunna funebris does not have any specific symbiotic relationships like those seen in clownfish and anemones, its presence in the reef tank can help control algae and detritus levels, contributing to the overall health of the aquarium ecosystem.
Habitat
Jorunna funebris is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific. They are typically found on coral reefs and rocky substrates, often at depths where light is sufficient for their prey sponges to thrive.