Sea Hare – Dolabella auricularia

Common name: Sea Hare
Scientific name: Dolabella auricularia
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Adult size: Up to 20–30 cm
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Herbivore
Minimum tank size: 200 L+
Reef safe: Yes

Overview

The Sea Hare (Dolabella auricularia) is a large herbivorous sea slug best known for its strong appetite for nuisance algae. It is especially effective against hair algae and other filamentous algae, making it a valuable biological solution in reef aquariums with algae outbreaks.

Its soft, rounded body and slow movement give it a unique appearance among reef inhabitants.

Behavior & Compatibility

Completely peaceful and reef safe.

Safe with corals and most fish, but may be vulnerable to aggressive tankmates.

Requires stable rockwork, as its size and movement can dislodge loosely placed corals.

Feeding

Primarily consumes:
• Hair algae
• Filamentous algae
• Film algae

Once natural algae is depleted, supplemental feeding with dried marine algae (nori) is often necessary.

Important: This species may starve in very clean or ultra-low nutrient systems.

Care Notes

• Best introduced into systems with active algae growth
• Sensitive to sudden parameter changes
• Can release ink when severely stressed (rare in aquariums)
• Ensure protected pump intakes

A powerful and natural algae control solution for larger reef systems, best suited for aquarists dealing with persistent algae issues.