Sargassum Nudiebranch

Habitat:

Scyllaea pelagica occurs globally in pantropical oceans among floating masses of weed. It is especially common in the Caribbean area and Gulf of Mexico and it often gets washed up onto the beach with seaweed after storms.

Notes:

Well, here was something I don't see everyday. while snorkeling at a local beach that is part of the sea grass beds of Biscayne Bay I came across this little creature just "dancing" in the water. From it's color and the fact that a tiny Sargassum Filefish was keeping it company I assumed they had been dislodged from their sargassum mat as it was being washed up to the beach. (There was A LOT of sargassum pushed up against the shore on this particular day). After watching them for a bit a grabbed a clump of sargassum and brought it close to them. The filefish immediately left its companion and made a dash for the seaweed as soon as it saw it coming near. the nudibranch did not grab hold of it even when I put it on top of it. Very lucky to come across it though because they are tiny. I outlined the fish in the last pic because it is hard to make out. (also peeking just on the left of the first pic)