What does the blue sea slug (Hypselodoris festiva) eat?

It feeds specifically on a sponge called Dysidea sp. (kuroiso-kaimen in Japanese), making it a dietary specialist.

Where is the blue sea slug found?

It lives in shallow rocky reef habitats from Hokkaido to Kyushu in Japan and has also been recorded in Hong Kong, but is notably absent from Okinawa.

How big is a blue sea slug?

It is a small nudibranch, typically only a few centimeters long.

Sea Slug (Nudibranch)アオウミウシ

Hypselodoris festivaNE— Not Evaluated

The blue sea slug is a small, vividly colored nudibranch common along Japan's rocky shores, instantly recognizable by its electric-blue body, yellow-edged mantle, and red gills, and notable for feeding exclusively on a single species of sponge.

Sea Slug (Nudibranch) (reference photo) — Photo: Keisotyo / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Nudibranchia / Chromodorididae Source
Size: Body length a few centimeters (2 cm in a specimen recorded at Niigata University's Sado Marine Biological Station)
Diet: Carnivore Feeds exclusively on a particular sponge, Halichondria okadai
Distribution: Found in shallow coastal waters from Hokkaido to Kyushu in Japan, and also recorded in Hong Kong, but notably absent from Okinawa despite occurring further south elsewhere. Source
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org www.sc.niigata-u.ac.jp

Did You Know?

It is a small nudibranch with a vivid blue body edged in yellow, along with red rhinophores (sensory tentacles) and gills outlined in red. Source
It lays white, spiral-shaped egg ribbons between May and August. Source

Where to See This Species

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 0

Verified individual animals and facilities will be added as official information becomes available.

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Not Evaluated (NE)

Sources

en.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

What does the blue sea slug (Hypselodoris festiva) eat?: It feeds specifically on a sponge called Dysidea sp. (kuroiso-kaimen in Japanese), making it a dietary specialist. Source
Where is the blue sea slug found?: It lives in shallow rocky reef habitats from Hokkaido to Kyushu in Japan and has also been recorded in Hong Kong, but is notably absent from Okinawa. Source
How big is a blue sea slug?: It is a small nudibranch, typically only a few centimeters long. Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?: Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 0 Source

Books & gear

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org