SeaSlugs.חינניות ים עברית

Back to genus CaloriaBack to the galleryAdd a comment

Caloria indica

2023 · Photo: Boaz Liebes

Caloria indica (Bergh, 1896)

Indian caloria

Fiji · Pacific Ocen - Koro Sea

Migrant species Observed: 1986–2025
Size
⁦20–30⁩ mm · max 50 mm
Depth
⁦0–26⁩ m
Native range
Indo-West to Central Pacific, from South Africa to Hawaii

Description

A slender, colourful facelinid aeolid that feeds on hydroids on shallow reefs, rock pools and wrecks.

Share link: https://seaslugs.org.il/species/caloria-indica-fiji-pacific-ocen-koro-sea/

Identification

Slender, translucent white to orange body with a long pointed tail and long oral tentacles. Orange-red head with white streaks. Cerata in 5–6 groups, banded red, orange, blue, yellow and white.

Similar species

Caloria militaris has an orange-red (not white) line between the rhinophores and smooth rhinophores with a scarlet band.

Habitat & diet

Habitat

Hard substrates: shallow reefs, rock pools and man-made structures (wrecks, buoys, pipes), to ~26 m.

Food

Hydroids (Pennaria, Eudendrium, Salacia).

In the Mediterranean

  1. 1986First recordOff Ashqelon, Israel
  2. 2025Latest documented recordTel Aviv, Israel
Status
Persisting population in Israel
Route of arrival
Lessepsian (Suez Canal), probably
Sources (3)

This species in other areas (2)

Caloria indica