{"product_id":"lettuce-nudibranch-hair-algae-eater","title":"Lettuce Nudibranch (Hair Algae Eater)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eLettuce Nudibranch\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Lettuce Nudibranch (\u003cem\u003eElysia crispata\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the most charming and visually distinctive invertebrates in the reef hobby. \u003cstrong\u003eIts body is a living, ruffled green leaf — frilled, sculpted, and waving gently as it grazes across rockwork like a piece of lettuce come to life.\u003c\/strong\u003e Caribbean in origin, this peaceful sea slug photosynthesizes through chloroplasts stolen from the algae it eats, making it one of the few animals in the ocean that can essentially run on sunlight. The vivid green coloration intensifies under good reef lighting and stable conditions, turning each specimen into a moving, glowing accent across the aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond its novelty, the Lettuce Nudibranch is one of the only animals in the reef hobby known to consume Bryopsis — the notoriously stubborn hair algae that resists almost every other form of control. For reefers battling Bryopsis outbreaks, a Lettuce Nudibranch is often the natural, livestock-based solution that works where chemical treatments and manual removal fail. Peaceful, reef-safe, and completely non-aggressive with corals or tankmates, this is a specialist grazer that doubles as a genuine conversation piece.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDespite its name, the Lettuce Nudibranch is actually NOT a nudibranch, but rather a completely herbivorous sea slug, and is reef safe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #1a5a61;\"\u003eAvailable Options\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background: linear-gradient(180deg,#f6fbf8 0%, #edf7f2 100%); border: 1px solid #d4e6e3; border-radius: 12px; padding: 13px 15px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"color: #1a5a61; margin-bottom: 6px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1 Lettuce Nudibranch\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne Caribbean Lettuce Nudibranch — coloration and size vary based on current availability\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eActive grazer that targets hair algae, including Bryopsis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeaceful and reef-safe with corals, fish, and other invertebrates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #184f69;\"\u003eCare Information\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 10px; height: 254.719px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 58.7812px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 50%; background: rgb(236, 239, 241); border: 1px solid rgb(207, 214, 218); border-radius: 10px; padding: 11px 13px; color: rgb(34, 50, 58); vertical-align: top; height: 58.7812px;\"\u003e💡 \u003cstrong style=\"color: #435760;\"\u003eLighting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eModerate — benefits from reef lighting for photosynthesis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 50%; background: rgb(236, 239, 241); border: 1px solid rgb(207, 214, 218); border-radius: 10px; padding: 11px 13px; color: rgb(34, 50, 58); vertical-align: top; height: 58.7812px;\"\u003e🌊 \u003cstrong style=\"color: #435760;\"\u003eWater Flow\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLow to Moderate — gentle, indirect flow preferred\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 58.7812px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background: rgb(236, 239, 241); border: 1px solid rgb(207, 214, 218); border-radius: 10px; padding: 11px 13px; color: rgb(34, 50, 58); vertical-align: top; height: 58.7812px;\"\u003e📍 \u003cstrong style=\"color: #435760;\"\u003ePlacement\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRockwork and glass — grazes across all surfaces\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background: rgb(236, 239, 241); border: 1px solid rgb(207, 214, 218); border-radius: 10px; padding: 11px 13px; color: rgb(34, 50, 58); vertical-align: top; height: 58.7812px;\"\u003e⚙️ \u003cstrong style=\"color: #435760;\"\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eModerate — requires established algae food source\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 78.375px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background: rgb(236, 239, 241); border: 1px solid rgb(207, 214, 218); border-radius: 10px; padding: 11px 13px; color: rgb(34, 50, 58); vertical-align: top; height: 78.375px;\"\u003e🐠 \u003cstrong style=\"color: #435760;\"\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePeaceful — completely reef-safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background: rgb(236, 239, 241); border: 1px solid rgb(207, 214, 218); border-radius: 10px; padding: 11px 13px; color: rgb(34, 50, 58); vertical-align: top; height: 78.375px;\"\u003e🍽️ \u003cstrong style=\"color: #435760;\"\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSpecialist herbivore — hair algae, Bryopsis, Caulerpa, and similar green algae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #6a6b58;\"\u003eSpecial Considerations\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background: #faf8ee; border: 1px solid #e6e1c9; border-left: 4px solid #b7ad78; border-radius: 10px; padding: 13px 15px; color: #22323a;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLettuce Nudibranchs are specialist grazers that decimate various types of hair algae and are a hero to many systems overcome with these nuisance algae.\u003c\/strong\u003e Best suited for systems with active Bryopsis, hair algae, or similar green nuisance growth.  Cover all powerhead and pump intakes before introduction, as nudibranchs can be drawn into uncovered equipment with fatal results. Avoid copper-based medications and any chemical algaecides, which are toxic to nudibranchs. Once the target algae is consumed, the nudibranch will require relocation to a system with available food.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #123844;\"\u003e🔍 Aquarium Insights\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Lettuce Nudibranch is one of the most unique invertebrates in the reef hobby:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhotosynthesizes using chloroplasts taken from the algae it eats — one of the only animals known to do this\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTargets Bryopsis and other stubborn green algae that few other livestock will touch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA natural, livestock-based solution to algae outbreaks that resist chemical and manual control\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #123844;\"\u003eLearn More\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0;\"\u003eFor detailed species information, compatibility, and care tips, visit our \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #1d5c78;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.macroalgaefarms.com\/pages\/species-library\"\u003eSpecies Library\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"margin: 24px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background: #f6f8f9; border: 1px solid #dde4e7; border-left: 4px solid #8a98a0; border-radius: 10px; padding: 13px 15px; font-size: 13px; color: #607078; line-height: 1.65;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"color: #46545b;\"\u003eLivestock Disclaimer\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 8px 0 10px;\"\u003eDue to natural variation, the Lettuce Nudibranch you receive may vary in size, coloration depth, and frill density. Coloration may shift between brighter and deeper greens depending on diet, lighting, and tank conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 10px;\"\u003ePhotographs are representative examples. Individual specimens may display differences in shape and coloration depending on age, diet, and environmental factors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0;\"\u003eAs with all live animals, proper acclimation and a suitable, established environment are essential for best results.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Macroalgae Farms","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48125483974915,"sku":null,"price":22.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0667\/7151\/7699\/files\/hf_20260514_183640_5c2cfc5e-1cb4-47d3-a088-7172113d4402.png?v=1778784122","url":"https:\/\/www.macroalgaefarms.com\/products\/lettuce-nudibranch-hair-algae-eater","provider":"Macroalgae Farms","version":"1.0","type":"link"}