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ALEXANDRE MEINESZ

Banyuls Aeolid

In Dive.Explo360: Mediterranean · Northeast Atlantic · Atlantic Ocean

On a hydroid colony, the Banyuls Aeolid reveals its elegance with tufts of orange cerata. This small nudibranch is often sought by underwater photographers. Its presence reflects rocky microhabitats rich in life and well preserved.

Habitat de Banyuls Aeolid Habitat
Hydroid
Profondeur de Banyuls Aeolid Depth
5-35 m
Groupe biologique de Banyuls Aeolid Group
Mollusc
Rôle écologique de Banyuls Aeolid Role
Predator

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

This small nudibranch has an elongated, soft body, often translucent to orange. It is covered in numerous slender cerata arranged in tufts on its back, giving it a feathery appearance. These appendages may be bright orange, sometimes with paler shades at the base. The well-developed head tentacles are used to explore the surroundings. When disturbed, the animal may partially fold its cerata against its body.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

This species is encountered on rocky seabeds or hydroid-rich substrates, generally in the Mediterranean and some nearby Atlantic areas. It lives at shallow or moderate depths where its prey is abundant.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

Its diet is mainly based on hydroids. It grazes them using its radula, directly eating the polyps of colonies attached to rocks or algae.

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