Wedge Sea Hare (Dolabella auricularia)

The Wedge Sea Hare, Dolabella auricularia, is a soft-bodied marine grazer recognizable by its broad, flattened rear end. It explores algae-bearing surfaces and needs room to move between rockwork, sand and shaded resting places.

Plan a renewable food supply before purchase. A sea hare can consume an initial patch of algae quickly, and the remaining aquarium may then be unable to support it. Offer suitable marine algae when necessary and verify feeding rather than assuming any type of nuisance growth will be accepted.

Protect the body from pump intakes, rough handling and fish that nip. A frightened sea hare can release defensive ink, so a compatible system and appropriate chemical filtration are important. This is a demanding animal to sustain after an algae outbreak has passed, not a temporary substitute for aquarium maintenance.