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ALEXANDRE MEINESZ

Painted Sea Slug

In Dive.Explo360: Mediterranean

On a rocky drop-off, the painted sea slug is often one of the most noticeable nudibranchs. Its intense blue edged in yellow contrasts with the sponges it grazes on. Slow but elegant, it is easy to observe and photograph during a Mediterranean dive.

Habitat de Painted Sea Slug Habitat
Seagrass meadow, Sponge
Profondeur de Painted Sea Slug Depth
5-50 m
Groupe biologique de Painted Sea Slug Group
Mollusc
Rôle écologique de Painted Sea Slug Role
Predator

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

The painted sea slug is a nudibranch with an elongated, flexible body, recognisable by its bright blue colour with pale lines and patterns. Its mantle has a more or less continuous yellow border. At the front, two upright rhinophores detect chemical signals from the environment. At the rear, a plume of feathery gills forms a distinctive crown. The intensity and arrangement of the patterns can vary between individuals.

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 painted sea slug feeds on sponges that it scrapes with its radula. This dietary specialisation makes it dependent on certain sponge species, on which it spends most of its time.

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Other species — Mollusc

Giant Doris European Squid Umbrella slug Tortoiseshell sea slug Three-coloured Aglaja Mediterranean Helmet Shell Purple Flabellina Dalmatian Doris

Same habitat and depth

Seagrass meadow species

Same ecological role and depth

Predatory species

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