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Little Shop of Coral

Purple Sea Slug (Hypselodoris bullocki)

Purple Sea Slug (Hypselodoris bullocki)

$40.00 CAD
$40.00 CAD
Sale Sold out
Size

The Purple Sea Slug is a stunning nudibranch with intense purple colour and a smooth, flowing look that stands out in any reef. This species is a specialist feeder that primarily eats certain sponges, which makes it a short-term or advanced-care animal in most aquariums unless you have an established system with the right food available. It is completely peaceful and reef safe with corals, but its long-term success depends almost entirely on having enough suitable sponge growth to sustain it.

Why we love it

  • Incredible purple colour and unique “reef oddball” look

  • Peaceful and safe around corals

  • Fascinating behaviour for mature, biodiversity-rich systems

Suggested parameters

  • Temperature: 24–26°C (75–79°F)

  • Salinity: 1.024–1.026 SG

  • pH: 8.1–8.4

  • Alkalinity: 8–10 dKH

  • Ammonia/Nitrite: 0

  • Nitrate: Under 10–15 ppm (lower is better)

  • Phosphate: Keep low and stable

Care and placement

  • Difficulty: Advanced

  • Reef safe: Yes (coral safe)

  • Placement: Rockwork and shaded areas where sponges grow

  • Tank maturity: Best in mature, established tanks with visible sponge growth

Feeding

This is the key consideration before purchasing.

  • Primary diet: Specific sponges (varies by individual and system)

  • Most will not accept prepared foods

  • If your tank does not have established sponge growth, it may starve

  • Best kept in systems where you can confirm ongoing sponge availability

Compatibility

  • Completely peaceful with fish and inverts

  • Avoid aggressive tankmates that may pick at it (some wrasses, triggers, puffers)

  • Keep away from strong pumps and overflows, nudibranchs can get pulled in

  • A covered overflow and guarded intakes are strongly recommended

Important expectations

This is a specialist animal. If you are buying it primarily for its look, plan for the feeding challenge first. Success is much more likely in a mature reef with abundant sponges and low competition for food.

What you are buying

  • You will receive: 1 Purple Sea Slug (Sponge Eater) (Hypselodoris bullocki)

  • Colour and size can vary between individuals

As with all inverts, slow acclimation is recommended, especially for salinity and temperature.

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LIGHT

LOW: Place coral at the bottom of the tank. Depending on the type, coral may need to be placed off sand and therefore mounted on a ceramic disc of piece of rock.

MEDIUM: Place coral at mid-range of the tank. Best placed/glued on top of a rock scape at mid-range height. 

HIGH: Place coral from mid range to just below water level. SPS coral are shallow growing so they require and are able to tolerate intense light.

FLOW

LOW: Most soft coral do well with a small, gentle pulse. There are certain corals that can even be placed in areas of indirect flow, meaning places aside a rock structure or set into a entrance to a cave style space.

MEDIUM: Many LPS types of coral prefer medium pulse current. Most Euphyllia or corals that have more tissue structure connected to their skeleton, don’t like to be in a high flow area like the direct flow of the wave pump.

HIGH: Similar to high light, SPS enjoy being in some heavy current. Most LPS and SPS that branch encrust or plate prefer high flow that simulates the top water waves.

SKILL

ENTRY: While some may say beginner level, "Entry" is a good term to be used when starting out in the world of corals and marine life. Prior to adding livestock, you want to ensure that your reef has the proper parameters including zero levels of ammonia and nitrite. Seeing traces of nitrate in your waters is a good sign - just keep them at a lower level of 2ppm to 10ppm. Maintaining correct temperature and salinity are a huge factor to stable parameters. Starting to monitor your PH, alkalinity, calcium and magnesium is a great habit to get into to keep a successful reef.

While some soft coral don’t require too much light, having a proper reef light that puts out the proper pars is very important. You'll also want to have a good amount of flow and protected rock areas, as placing corals in their happy spot is ideal for success.

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