Common name: Painted Thecacera

General information

The Pikachu Nudibranch, scientifically known as Thecacera picta, is a vibrant and colorful sea slug that has captured the attention of marine enthusiasts due to its striking resemblance to the popular Pokémon character, Pikachu. This nudibranch is known for its bright yellow body with black and blue markings, and its small size, typically reaching only about 5 centimeters in length.

Care

Thecacera picta is considered a challenging species to keep in captivity due to its specific dietary requirements. It feeds primarily on bryozoans, which are not commonly found in the average reef aquarium. Hobbyists who wish to keep this nudibranch must ensure a consistent supply of its natural prey. The aquarium should also have stable water conditions, low nitrate levels, and no aggressive tank mates that might harm these delicate creatures.

Reproduction

Like many nudibranchs, Thecacera picta is a hermaphrodite, possessing both male and female reproductive organs. They can lay ribbons of eggs, which hatch into free-swimming larvae. However, breeding them in captivity is quite difficult due to their complex life cycle and specific larval food requirements.

Habitat

Thecacera picta is typically found in the Indo-Pacific region, from Japan to Australia. They inhabit coral reefs and rocky substrates where their food source, bryozoans, is abundant. In the wild, they can be found at various depths, often ranging from shallow waters to depths of over 30 meters.