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You are what you eat

Harlequinmania

By Harlequinmania,
in General Reefkeeping_

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Harlequinmania

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Click through to see the images.

image_cover Boergesenia forbesii (photo from algaebase.org) It's little surprise that Ercolania kencolesi was only recently discovered.  This sea slug measures a mere 0.5 centimeters (0.2 inches) and mostly lives within the tubes of the sea algae Boergesenia forbesii.  The tiny green nudibranch bores a hole to enter the tubes where it dines on the algae from the inside.  The algae provides both a safe habitat and food source for E.kencolesi.

What's more, this sea slug assimilates the chloroplasts from the algae into its own tissue.  E.kencolesi can derive energy from photosynthesis.

Other nudibranchs are known to do this as well.  The most well-known example amongst reefkeepers is Berghia verrucicornis (reclassified to Aeolidiella stephanieae).  These Aiptasia-eating sea slugs will harbor the stinging cells (nematocysts) of their prey in their body, helping protect the sea slug from their own predators .

View the full article

1000 Gallon Tank in the Hole 

http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/topic/120957-1000-gallon-3d-hole-in-the-wall/ 

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