Chelidonura varians

Eliot, 1903

Headshield Slug, Black Velvet Slug

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean

Size: 3 inches (7 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabit shallow sandy and muddy reef bottom areas where it generally feeds on flatworms.

General Husbandry: Rarely available in the trade.

This small slug feeds only on flartworms, therefore its lifespan in aquariums without flatworms to consume, is extremely limited.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Mollusca

Class: Gastropoda

Order: Cephalaspidea

Family: Aglajidae

Genus: Chelidonura

FYI: Simply a species having very limited use in home aquariums, however, if experiencing an invasion of flatworms, this slug, as others in this genus, will quickly eliminate them.

Sensitive to salinity changes, acclimate carefully.

Experience Level: Expert

Diet: Carnivore

Temperament: Peaceful

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Hardiness: Difficult

Temperature Range: 72 - 83°F (22 - 28°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Lighting: Unaffected by intensity

Water Movement: WM 1 - 2

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4