Leaf sheep
Costasiella kuroshimae
Black-banded sea slug
Cyerce nigricans
About
The black-banded sea slug is a small, shell-less slug that grows to just 2 cm, yet it is one of the most striking animals on the reef. Bold patches of black, yellow, red, and orange make it hard to miss.
- Length
- 2 cm
How to tell it apart
Most other slugs in its genus are camouflaged to blend into the reef. This one stands out instead, so its bright, multi-coloured cerata alone are enough to tell it apart from its hidden relatives.
Appearance
Rows of flat, paddle-shaped cerata cover its back and are often compared to butterfly wings. The body carries bold patches of black, yellow, red, and orange, unlike the plain, camouflaged look of most sea slugs its size.
Did you know?
This sea slug can drop parts of its cerata when threatened, a defence called autotomy.
Log it in Into the Blue
Describe what you saw and we name it, then keep every species you find in your Oceandex.
