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Lettuce sea slugs are stunning green sea slugs that look like ruffled lettuce leaves - they ingest algae chloroplasts and retain them in their tissue, becoming photosynthetic themselves (a phenomenon called "kleptoplasty"). Effective hair algae cleaners and one of the most unusual marine inverts in the hobby. Short lifespan and demanding food requirements limit them to dedicated keepers.
Native range: Caribbean. Most US trade specimens come through marine wholesale suppliers in Indonesia, the Philippines, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. Wild collection remains the primary sourcing method for the majority of marine inverts - few are captive-bred at commercial scale. Quality of acclimation at the wholesale/retail stage is the biggest single predictor of long-term survival in home aquaria.
Tank size: 20 gallons. Parameters: temperature 74-82°F, salinity 1.024-1.026, plus the standard reef tank requirements - stable calcium 420-440 ppm, alkalinity 8-10 dKH, magnesium 1300-1400 ppm, nitrate under 25 ppm, phosphate under 0.05 ppm. The species requires conditions consistent with a healthy reef tank rather than nutrient-stripped sterile water - well-established systems with diverse microfauna and biofilm typically support these inverts better than newly-cycled tanks.
Lighting: depends on species. Photosynthetic inverts (clams, anemone-symbiotic species) require high-PAR reef LED lighting. Filter-feeders (worms, scallops) prefer moderate lighting and benefit from particulate-rich water. Flow: moderate, indirect flow works for most inverts - direct high-velocity flow stresses or damages soft-bodied species.
Acclimation: drip acclimate over 2-4 hours for hardy species, 4-8 hours for sensitive species (Linckia stars, sea hares, demanding nudibranchs). Never expose inverts to air during transfer - capture in a bowl underwater and transfer wet.
Lettuce Sea Slug diet: Hair algae, microalgae (photosynthetic via stolen chloroplasts). Feeding strategy depends on dietary type. Algae eaters require established tanks with biofilm and microalgae growth - new tanks lack the algal base they need. Carnivore inverts (starfish, some snails) need targeted meaty feedings 2-3x weekly. Filter feeders (clams, worms, scallops) need phytoplankton in the water column. Photosynthetic species need adequate lighting plus supplemental amino acid or coral food dosing.
Safe: Peaceful reef community.
Avoid: Predatory fish, copper meds.
Rarely bred in captivity.
Starvation after hair algae cleared; short natural lifespan; difficult relocation once attached.
They ingest algae chloroplasts and retain them in their tissue (kleptoplasty). The green is from stolen chloroplasts continuing to photosynthesize.
Yes - peaceful herbivores. They ignore corals.
6-12 months typical lifespan in captivity. Wild lifespan estimated 1-2 years.
$20-40 each.
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