{"product_id":"dolabella-sea-hare","title":"Dolabella Sea Hare","description":"\u003cp\u003eDolabella Sea Hares are highly effective algae grazers valued in the saltwater aquarium hobby for their ability to consume large amounts of nuisance algae. Also known as the Wedge Sea Hare or Blunt-End Sea Hare, Dolabella auricularia is a large herbivorous marine gastropod with a mottled brown, tan, green, or algae-like appearance that helps it blend into rockwork and algae-covered surfaces. These sea hares can be extremely useful in mature aquariums experiencing heavy algae growth, but they should only be added to systems that can provide a consistent food source and stable water quality. Once available algae is depleted, supplemental feeding or rehoming may be necessary to prevent starvation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIntroduction to Dolabella Sea Hare (Powerful Algae Grazer \u0026amp; Nuisance Algae Specialist)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDolabella Sea Hares (Dolabella auricularia) are large, peaceful herbivores known for their unusual body shape, soft texture, and strong appetite for algae. In the wild, they are found in shallow Indo-Pacific habitats such as intertidal zones, seagrass beds, seaweed areas, and algae-rich coastal environments. This natural behavior gives important insight into their care: they are constant grazers that require abundant algae or supplemental vegetable-based foods to thrive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike snails or hermit crabs, Dolabella Sea Hares are soft-bodied and more vulnerable to injury. They move slowly across rockwork, glass, and substrate while grazing, making them excellent algae-control animals in the right aquarium. However, they are not ideal for small, new, or overly clean systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCare Level: Moderate to Expert – Best for mature, algae-rich aquariums\u003cbr\u003eMinimum Tank Size: 100+ gallons for long-term adult care\u003cbr\u003eAquarium Setup: Requires established rockwork, abundant algae growth, hiding areas, stable parameters, and protected pump intakes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDolabella Sea Hares should be placed in mature saltwater aquariums with significant natural algae growth. They are best used in systems with persistent nuisance algae problems rather than clean, low-nutrient aquariums. Because they can grow very large and consume algae quickly, smaller systems may not provide enough food for long-term success.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePowerheads, overflows, and pump intakes should be covered or guarded to prevent injury. Sea Hares are soft-bodied and can be seriously harmed if pulled into equipment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDiet \u0026amp; Nutrition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDolabella Sea Hares are herbivorous grazers that feed primarily on algae.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiet: Herbivorous – Prefers nuisance algae, filamentous algae, macroalgae, and vegetable-based foods\u003cbr\u003eRecommended Foods:\u003cbr\u003eNaturally occurring nuisance algae\u003cbr\u003eHair algae and filamentous algae\u003cbr\u003eMacroalgae such as chaeto or other safe marine algae\u003cbr\u003eDried seaweed or nori\u003cbr\u003eVegetable-based pellets or algae wafers if accepted\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDolabella Sea Hares require a constant food source. They are excellent for reducing algae outbreaks, but once the algae is gone, they may starve quickly without supplemental feeding. If the aquarium becomes too clean, offer dried seaweed, macroalgae, or algae-based foods, or consider relocating the sea hare to another suitable algae-rich system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLifespan \u0026amp; Growth Rate\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLifespan: Often short-lived compared to many reef invertebrates, with lifespan varying by age, condition, and food availability\u003cbr\u003eGrowth Rate: Moderate to Fast when well fed – Can grow very large, with some references listing adult sizes near 12 inches or more\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDolabella Sea Hares are often sold as smaller specimens, but they should be housed with adult size and food demand in mind. Their large size makes them very effective algae consumers, but it also means they require far more available food than standard cleanup crew snails.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament \u0026amp; Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTemperament: Peaceful – Does not bother fish, corals, or most peaceful invertebrates\u003cbr\u003eReef Safe? Yes, with caution – Does not eat corals, but may release ink if severely stressed or injured\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDolabella Sea Hares are peaceful algae grazers and generally safe with corals and reef fish. However, they should not be kept with aggressive or predatory tankmates that may bite, pick at, or injure them. Avoid triggers, puffers, large wrasses, large crabs, aggressive shrimp, and other animals that may harass soft-bodied invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Challenges \u0026amp; Considerations\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRequires Constant Algae: Dolabella Sea Hares need abundant algae or supplemental feeding to avoid starvation.\u003cbr\u003eNot for Clean Tanks: They are best used in mature aquariums with active algae growth, not new or sterile systems.\u003cbr\u003eCan Release Ink: If startled, injured, or severely stressed, they may release a purple dye into the water. Running carbon and performing a water change can help remove it.\u003cbr\u003eProtect Pump Intakes: Their soft body can be damaged by powerheads, overflows, or uncovered intakes.\u003cbr\u003eLarge Adult Size: They can become much larger than many customers expect and require enough space to graze.\u003cbr\u003eSensitive to Copper: Like most marine invertebrates, they should never be exposed to copper-based medications.\u003cbr\u003eSensitive to Poor Water Quality: Sudden changes in salinity, temperature, pH, or alkalinity can cause stress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo prevent issues, only add a Dolabella Sea Hare to a mature aquarium with abundant algae, acclimate carefully, cover pump intakes, avoid aggressive tankmates, and have a feeding or rehoming plan once algae levels decline.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWater Conditions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTemperature: 72-78°F\u003cbr\u003edKH Alkalinity: 8-12\u003cbr\u003epH: 8.1-8.4\u003cbr\u003eSpecific Gravity: 1.023-1.025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSea Hares are a popular choice among reef-aquarists for eliminating a wide variety of algae species from the home aquarium. These delicate animals are closely related to nudibranchs and share many of the same features, including a large muscular foot for locomotion, small rasping teeth for scraping algae, and the lack of an external shell. Sea hares can be quite voracious, removing large swaths of nuisance algae from rock and glasswork in a matter of days, depending on tank size. Unfortunately, sea hares can sometimes be TOO efficient at clearing the algae out of an aquarium and starve themselves unless supplemented with offerings of various dried seaweed species anchored to a surface for easy access. In extremely rare instances of stress, sea hares can produce an ink-like substance as a defense mechanism; This ink is toxic to many other reef inhabitants and if observed, should be removed immediately via a large water change.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"TSA Inverts","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49117732765994,"sku":"SLUGxSeaHare","price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0783\/0873\/7322\/files\/SeaHare_64c2b39b-46fa-4538-8068-1e57d18b8a8a.png?v=1785443049","url":"https:\/\/topshelfaquatics.com\/products\/dolabella-sea-hare","provider":"Top Shelf Aquatics ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}