Thousands of Sea Slugs?

**Crimsontide** · 08-23-2010, 05:44 PM

I went for a walk yesterday morning on the beach. I was in front of Sand Cliffs condos(east 30A) and saw Thousands of "Sea Slugs" atleast thats what I am calling them. They looked similar to a regular slug but much larger and fatter. After washing up on the beach they became very stinky and were leaking purple fluid. Does anyone know if this is common and what they are?

**Lady D** · 08-23-2010, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by Crimsontide

I went for a walk yesterday morning on the beach. I was in front of Sand Cliffs condos(east 30A) and saw Thousands of "Sea Slugs" atleast thats what I am calling them. They looked similar to a regular slug but much larger and fatter. After washing up on the beach they became very stinky and were leaking purple fluid. Does anyone know if this is common and what they are?

Gross. Now there is a invasion of sea slugs. Great, and all of this 5 days before we come to the beach. I'll make sure I wear my water shoes. They need to make a B horror movie out of that. I hope you were exaggerating about the thousands. Here is a link to a sea slug forum. Supposedly the color thing is a defense mechanism. See link below.

http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/colour

**Aleigh** · 08-24-2010, 08:32 AM

When the world gives you sea slugs....

...make sea slug salad!!!! ... or soup? yummmm

**Lady D** · 08-24-2010, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by Aleigh

When the world gives you sea slugs....

...make sea slug salad!!!! ... or soup? yummmm

Really funny.

But that sounds so gross.

**kurt** · 08-24-2010, 08:48 AM

she sells salty sea slug sushi by the seashore

she sells salty sea slug sushi by the seashore

see shells shalty shee shlug shusi by the sheesore

**AndrewG** · 08-24-2010, 09:08 AM

They have a very specific diet. Nature is trying to rid us of our seaweed problem.

**shortys surfside** · 08-24-2010, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by AndrewG

They have a very specific diet. Nature is trying to rid us of our seaweed problem.

Cool!

**Murray Balkcom** · 08-24-2010, 02:10 PM

If you google "sea hare" images, you might find the ones you saw. They get their name "sea hare" because their face looks similar to a rabbit's head. (if you use your imagination like finding animal shapes in clouds.)

**AndrewG** · 08-24-2010, 02:13 PM

also lookup nudibranch.

**melscuba** · 08-24-2010, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by AndrewG

They have a very specific diet. Nature is trying to rid us of our seaweed problem.

What has a very specific diet of sea slugs??

**Koa** · 08-24-2010, 07:00 PM

quick google search:
looks like the sooty sea hares (the dark purple ones) are among only a few animals which eat the toxic blue-green algae called cyanobacteria. (see link/info below) I wonder if this cyanobacteria may be present in the Gulf causing what some people report as itchy eyes, burning skin? They all seem convinced that it is dispersant causing irritation. I remember the red tide taking my breath away a few times. This sounds similar.

Lyngbya (link)

Lyngbya is a toxic marine cyanobacterium (blue-green algae) which forms clumps or mats of fine strands that attach to seaweed and rocks. Through the accumulation of gas bubbles mats can rise to the surface to form large floating mats, which can wash up on beaches often mixed with seagrass.

Exposure to Lyngbya can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation. People who have come into contact with Lyngbya may complain of a stinging, burning or itching sensation within minutes to hours after exposure. Affected areas may appear red and swollen, and small blisters may form. In severe cases, affected skin may peel off.

Reddening and swelling of the conjunctiva of the eye and the mucous membrane of the nose may also occur if those parts of the body have direct contact with Lyngbya."

For a more fun fact I found on the Sooty Sea Hare (link):
"Sea hares are hermaphrodites that can act as both males and females. During mating, individuals often create long chains, with each individual donating sperm to the animal in front of it, while receiving sperm from the individual behind it."

What eats sea slugs? I think sea turtles eat jellyfish, so they may also eat sea slugs?

**Aleigh** · 08-25-2010, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by AndrewG

also lookup nudibranch.

Amazing image results, absolutely beautiful Nudibranch(es) sp? But ours look more like this...

So as I was saying....
...nudibranch salad ...nudibranch soup ...nudibranch sauteed ...nudibranch steamed ...nudibranch with potatoes and apple onions ... nudibranch broiled ...nudibranch lettuce wrap ...fried nudibranch ...boiled nudibranch ...nudibranch bisque ...nudibranch gumbo ...nudibranch over rice ...grilled nudibranch, scalloped nudibranch ...angel hair pasta and blackened nudibranch ...breaded nudibranch ...honey nudibranch with couscous ...nudibranch parmesean ...nudibranch fettuccine and my favorite... nudibranch stir-fry with plum sauce!

**AndrewG** · 08-25-2010, 10:13 AM

Sea Hares are the lawnmowers of the ocean. Unfortunately for them, once the food runs out they kick the bucket quick. In reef tank systems we use specific sea hares for specific problems. We rotate them out to other folks with the same problem so they don't starve.

These guys will literally feed 24/7.

**Lady D** · 08-29-2010, 02:42 PM

I see what you mean about lots of Sea slugs. We walked the beach the first time this morning along Inlet Beach down towards Pinnacle Port and I've never seen those things before but they were laying everywhere, many looked dead but when you touched them with something they moved. And if they eat June grass the water and shoreline were thick with June grass, this is the worst I've seen the water. I won't be wading out to swim in that. And not to mention it has rained some or most of the day since we got in on Friday night. Water was really choppy then. Love being able to find free wireless down here. Be back on another time.

**scooterbug44** · 08-30-2010, 04:39 PM

No slugs on Scooter beach. Sort of disappointed - you guys got me all excited to see critters.

**Allifunn** · 08-31-2010, 02:14 PM

There were lots of slugs on Grayton beach today...all along the out flow.

**Jdarg** · 08-31-2010, 02:43 PM

I can't wait to see them! Hope they are there in the morning-

**Lady D** · 08-31-2010, 02:46 PM

No sea slugs along Inlet Beach today. Water is looking good today. Sky is also. Been in the water for the first time.

**PearlSB4U** · 08-31-2010, 08:36 PM

Millions of sooty sea hares at 6pm between Draper Lake & Ed Waline Park.

**Aleigh** · 09-02-2010, 07:27 AM

In the water? Or along the shoreline? Live? Dead? Gimme more info..

I'm making sooty sea hares stew for dinner... ahhahhaha Aleigh sells sooty sea hare strew on the seashore... Aleigh sells sooty sea hare stew on the seashore Aleigh sells sooty seas share on the... Aleigh sells sooty sea hare shoes errrrrghhhhh!

**PearlSB4U** · 09-02-2010, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by PearlSB4U

Millions of sooty sea hares at 6pm between Draper Lake & Ed Waline Park.

The literally millions that were there 8/31 were gone 9/1. Only saw a few between Draper Lake & Ed Waline Park. Close-in water was still dark purple though. Interesting phenomenon.

**Jdarg** · 09-02-2010, 10:24 AM

I saw them this morning from Grayton Beach to the State Park access- not very many though. They are really cool looking.

Water was clear except for where Western Lake is open and running out at a pretty good clip.

**Teresa** · 09-02-2010, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by Jenny Dargavell

I saw them this morning from Grayton Beach to the State Park access- not very many though. They are really cool looking.

Water was clear except for where Western Lake is open and running out at a pretty good clip.

I love when that happens! but some may think the brackish fresh/sea water is polluted (or oil

). it was really rushing out on Grayton Beach during the 4th of July weekend, just when we were freaking out about the oil spill and I wondered if some visitors got the wrong idea about the dark water running along the shore from the lake.

the coastal lakes are magical!

seems like we hear sea slug reports around here about this time of year. I could do without them but I thank them for their hard work and efforts, and I'm sure we need 'em around at least now and then.

**Aleigh** · 09-03-2010, 12:34 AM

So um are they mating or just munching on the sea grasses?

**AndrewG** · 09-03-2010, 12:58 AM

Originally Posted by Aleigh

So um are they mating or just munching on the sea grasses?

When optimum conditions are met they proliferate. Sea Slug Palooza!

**megawisdumb** · 09-04-2010, 06:51 AM

Ok then there is a serious orge going on with da slugs at the public access at Dune Allen near the golf clubs. None appear to be using any protection....

**Lady D** · 09-04-2010, 10:59 AM

One was keeping me company in the water yesterday, just floating, may not have been alive. Saw 2 or 3 along the sand this morning walking, didn't appear to be moving when I touched them so they probably were dead.

**mis wah** · 09-04-2010, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by Crimsontide

I went for a walk yesterday morning on the beach. I was in front of Sand Cliffs condos(east 30A) and saw Thousands of "Sea Slugs" atleast thats what I am calling them. They looked similar to a regular slug but much larger and fatter. After washing up on the beach they became very stinky and were leaking purple fluid. Does anyone know if this is common and what they are?

I heard about this from a friend this morning. They said it was pretty much the length of old 98. Your email confirms the occurrence. So now why?

nannypat · 09-05-2010, 09:26 AM

i'm new to this site but not new to the area. i've worked the beaches in housekeeping for over 12 years and have never seen what I see now. I presently work to clean up the oil[tar balls].Yesterday we were at camp henderson and YES there are tarballs up close to the dune line which is roped off to keep people from getting on the dunes. They are all over the surface and small but we dug down some and they get bigger.You guess how they got that far up--I have my own ideas.In July they found lare globs around the outflows around deer lake.a couple weeks ago at the dune allen area.But when I saw all the sugs[dead]and green stuff arond the crab trap and pompano joes I became more upset than I already was.there's also some dry brown crusty stuff that is green and frothy looking underneath everywhere.I'm not fond of crawly slimy thins but i stood there and watched a slug lift it's head up "look around" laid it back down and died. I wanted to cry.No this isn't right and by NO means is it normal.I've talked to several people who have lived here forever and they've never seen anything like it.i feel like we are just accepting it and if we turn our heads it will just go away. personally--i think it is a sign----just the beginning and the worst is yet to come.

**AndrewG** · 09-05-2010, 11:39 AM

You think the slugs reproduced like crazy then died because of the oil spill?

**Douglas the Intrepid** · 09-05-2010, 01:29 PM

My guess is the micro flora boomed due to the profileration of the oil eating bacteria that occurs naturally in the gulf. So much more potential food resulted in the sea slugs booming and then dying out when their food finally was exhausted. Just a thought, nothing to freak out about regardless.... ;)

**Jdarg** · 09-05-2010, 04:11 PM

They are pretty cool looking when alive...

but I have to say their stench when they are rotting by the thousands is pretty bad. If you sit by the water (so they are behind you), the breeze off the Gulf helps. Grayton was loaded with them today.

**Teresa** · 09-05-2010, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by Jenny Dargavell

They are pretty cool looking when alive...

but I have to say their stench when they are rotting by the thousands is pretty bad. If you sit by the water (so they are behind you), the breeze off the Gulf helps. Grayton was loaded with them today.

I heard they were out at Grayton today but by the time I arrived around 4 or so, I took a walk and only saw a few along the shore. nothing more. no smell, nothing. and the water was brackish but the big deep pools along the shore were a lot of fun for everyone. what a gorgeous day!!! the sunset was incredible!!! so were the freshly shucked oysters thanks to our good shucking canadian friends - Canuck and Unc Timmy.

today I felt like we had our beach back... the weather was the BEST. the beach and tidal pools wonderful. and an extraordinary sunset that lasted for hours! the beach was pretty crowded and people were NOT going home even at sunset. I told SWGB to make an announcement that it was time to go home and get ready for dinner at Red Bar.. so we could have the beach to ourselves.