Cratena peregrina
Cratena slug
Israel · Mediterranean
- Size
- 20–40 mm · max 50 mm
- Depth
- 0–50 m
- Native range
- Mediterranean Sea (including Israel) and the adjacent eastern Atlantic, from Portugal to the Canary Islands
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Description
One of the most common and photogenic aeolids of the Mediterranean, often found in groups on hydroid colonies. Like other aeolids it stores the stinging cells of its prey in the tips of its cerata for defence.
Share link: https://seaslugs.org.il/species/cratena-peregrina-israel-mediterranean/
Identification
White body with two bright orange patches on the head in front of the rhinophores. Long white oral tentacles; smooth orange rhinophores with a white base. Up to nine groups of slender, translucent cerata on each side, showing an orange to brown-red digestive gland with blue iridescence and white tips.
Similar species
Paraflabellina gabinierei has brown cerata and no orange head marks; Calmella cavolini is smaller, with red cerata and purple marks on the head.
Habitat & diet
Habitat
Rocky reefs, from shallow dimly lit walls to coralligenous habitat; mostly 0–50 m.
Food
Athecate hydroids, especially Eudendrium ramosum and E. racemosum.