WHATSTHATFISH
Sea slugs & snails

Ornate Sapsucking Slug

Elysia ornata

Also known as: Leaf Slug, Ornate Elysia, Ornate Leaf Slug, Ornate Sap-sucking Slug

Adult
@blogie · Coral Gardens, Talicud Island, Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines · December 20111 / 6
01

Overview

Found singly or in large groups, during the day over patches of rubble and sandy areas, either feeding or mating, on coral and rocky reefs. Varies in colour.

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.

02

How to identify

COLOURS
Pattern
spots
Body shape
frilly

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific, Western Atlantic
  • Exact location · 1
  • Country only · 5
LIVES IN

Found singly or in large groups, during the day over patches of rubble and sandy areas, either feeding or mating, on coral and rocky reefs.

04

Adult photos 6

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. familyElysiidae
    2. genusElysia
    3. speciesElysia ornata (Swainson, 1840)

    SourcesWoRMSSea Slug Forum

    06

    More in the family

    Sapsucking Slugs (Elysiidae)