Lettuce Sea Slug

Elysia sp. - The Lettuce Sea Slug is one of the most effective and fascinating natural tools for controlling nuisance hair algae in reef aquariums. With its flowing, lettuce leaf–like cerata and vibrant green, yellow, and brown coloration, it looks more like a living plant than an animal. These captive bred Lettuce Sea Slugs are already adapted to aquarium life and are significantly hardier than wild collected specimens.

Unlike true nudibranchs, Elysia crispata is a sacoglossan sea slug that actively feeds on problem filamentous green algae, including Bryopsis and Derbesia, two of the most frustrating algae pests reef keepers face. As it consumes these algae, it retains chloroplasts from its food through a process called kleptoplasty, allowing it to supplement its nutrition with light. This makes proper lighting and a steady algae supply important for long term success.

Lettuce Sea Slugs are completely reef safe and peaceful, and they will not bother corals, fish, or invertebrates. In mature systems with ongoing hair algae growth, they can play a meaningful role in reducing and managing nuisance algae naturally, making them both a functional and visually striking addition to the reef aquarium.

Important Acclimation Instructions

Please note: this product is exempt from our 7 day Livestock guarantee. It's normal for them to be shriveled up and lethargic on arrival. Check all the seams and lid, as slugs are small and difficult to see. After acclimating and feeding in your tank they will "perk up." These animals tolerate shipping very well, and it's exceedingly rare for them to die in shipping. Please contact us immediately and provide a short video clip if you have concerns about the slugs on arrival. Even if they appear to be DOA, please acclimate them, as it's normal for them to be lethargic during shipping. 

To acclimate slugs to your tank's temperature, float the closed cup or bag in the tank for 15 minutes. Turn off the flow and lights in your tank. Don't touch them with your fingers, and please handle the cup or bag gently since they're susceptible to physical damage. Ideally, you should slowly submerge then wedge the open shipping cup or bag into the rockwork in a very low flow area and allow them to crawl out naturally. If you absolutely must move a slug, use a turkey baster/coral feeder type instrument.