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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
Adult P. ianthina
Spotted on Oct 16, 2011
Submitted on Oct 29, 2011
6 Comments
Thanks Harsha. Just got home from another dive weekend. Wasn't able to spot one of these nudis but was able to get some quite interesting ones. Will post them soon :-)
Hope you find one. I always look forward to seeing your spottings. They are wonderful.
It was Harsha. Looking for one with much striking color :-)
The color. The structure. Just amazing.
Thanks Alice :-)
Good information!