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Pteraeolidia ianthina
"Variable in color ranging from pure white in juveniles to brown, green or blue. Color depends on the amount of symbiotic zooxanthella living in the tissues. Always has 2 - 6 mauve bands around the oral tentacle" Source:- Neville Coleman's Marine Life eGuide Pteraeolidia ianthina, commonly known as the 'Blue Dragon' by divers in eastern Australia, is one of a group of remarkable aeolid nudibranchs which are way ahead of man in harnessing solar energy. Pteraeolidia has evolved a method of capturing and farming microscopic plants (zooxanthellae) in its own body. The plants flourish in this protected environment and as they convert the sun's energy into sugars, they pass a significant proportion on to the nudibranch for its own use. Source - Sea Slug forum
Spotted at Pinnacle, Ligpo Island at a depth of about 6 m.
Spotted on Feb 5, 2012
Submitted on Apr 13, 2012
10 Comments
Thanks Harsha. Will let you know :-)
I shall be waiting. :)
Thank you Harsha. Unfortunately wasn't able to take a video. Will try to do one on a next spotting of this magnificent nudibranch :-)
Amazingly pretty! Do you have a video? Want to see it waving.
Thanks Nopayahnah :-)
That is very cool!
Gracias harsuame. It is. :-)
Interesante bello color y forma
Thanks so much Gerardo :-)
Extraordinary Eric!
Wonderful blue dragon