Painted Sea Slug

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

A slender white line runs down the vivid blue back of the celestial doris (Felimare orsinii), between the two projections on its head and the feathery tuft at the rear. A white or yellow line borders the body.

The rhinophores, the upright head projections, have rings and remain entirely blue, as do the gills, the plumes gathered at the rear. Other sea slugs have comparable blue colouring: the blue ringed appendages add to the details of the back.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

It is mainly found on rocky seabeds, drop-offs and areas rich in attached life. It is closely associated with sponges, over which it moves and on which it depends for food. It generally lives between a few metres and around fifty metres deep.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

The celestial sea slug feeds on sponges attached to rocks. It moves slowly over their surface and removes small pieces of tissue using its radula, a ribbon bearing tiny teeth inside its mouth. Its feeding movements are subtle: the head stays in contact with the sponge as it removes the tissue it eats.