Pleurobranchidae () |
3 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
benthic; marine; depth range 0 - 150 m |
Circumglobal tropical and temperate seas. |
Often with small flat shell remnant hidden in mantle above digestive gland. Color ranges from translucent pale yellow to bright red; back covered with small white gland cells which secrete milky white secretion as a defense mechanism. |
Assumed maximum length from Ref. 844. Known from depths of 0 to 150 m (Ref. 7727); and at shallow subtidal depths under boulders on reefs; shells to 40 m (Ref. 337) and in rock pools up to 2 m. Hides under rocks at daytime, active at night (Ref. 844). Reported as a scavenger (Ref. 866) and as feeding on a variety of sponges and three species of corals, i.e., Tubastrea coccinea, Leptastrea sp. and Porites lobata (Ref. 84066). |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
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Macro photo of anterior end showing details of oral veil and tentacles taken from Koumac October 1993 (Ref. 84066). C: Ref. 99637; O: Ref. 84066. |
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