Moonface Euselenops (Euselenops luniceps)

Also known as Lunar Nudibranch, Lunar Sea Slug, Moonface Nudibranch, Moonface Sea Slug, Moon-faced Euselenops, Moon-faced Nudibranch, Moon-faced Sea Slug, Moon-headed Side-gilled Slug, Moonlight Nudibranch, Moonlight Sea Slug, Nudibranch, Sand-dwelling Sea Slug

Description

Also known as Lunar Nudibranch, Lunar Sea Slug, Moonface Nudibranch, Moonface Sea Slug, Moon-faced Euselenops, Moon-faced Nudibranch, Moon-faced Sea Slug, Moon-headed Side-gilled Slug, Moonlight Nudibranch, Moonlight Sea Slug, Nudibranch, Sand-dwelling Sea Slug.

Found singly, pairs, or in large groups, either buried or crawling, amongst rubble and sandy areas, of coral and rocky reefs.
They feed on sea stars.
Length - 7cm
Depth - 2-20m
Widespread Indo-West Pacific

Opisthobranchia - Nudibranchs - Sea Slugs meaning "naked gills" are molluscs without a hard shell.
All opisthobranchs are hermaphrodites.
These beautiful slugs are usually brilliantly coloured and this in itself can act as a deterrent against predators. Some sea slugs secrete acid from stinging cells in their tentacles while others secrete acid from cells in their mantle.
Nudibranchs are slow moving, can swim or be propelled along either by muscular contraction or by millions of tiny hairs on the bottom of a fleshy 'foot', they have a voracious appetite and feed with a rasp like tongue.
Nudibranch lay their eggs in a ribbon effect on the sand, in different colours depending on species. Ref: http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/euseluni

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