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Regal sea goddess
Israel · Mediterranean
The largest chromodorid of the Mediterranean and European Atlantic, usually over 100 mm and reported up to about 200 mm long. It is very variable in colour and has been described under many names (e.g. Hypselodoris webbi, H. valenciennesi, H. elegans); several subspecies have been proposed across both sides of the Atlantic. Glands along the mantle edge store defensive compounds taken from its sponge prey.
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Long, tall body with a narrow mantle. Blue to whitish-blue ground colour covered with numerous yellow lines, streaks and spots that vary between individuals; in adults two dorsal lines encircle the rhinophore sheaths. Rhinophores uniformly blue, without yellow or white; gill leaves (10–12) blue to greenish with a yellow outer rachis. Juveniles typically show just three yellow lines.
Felimare villafranca is the only other eastern Atlantic/Mediterranean Felimare with more than two parallel yellow lines, but is much smaller; F. tricolor and other small blue Felimare have a yellow mantle border and far fewer lines. Size and the uniformly blue rhinophores help identify F. picta.
Rocky reefs, especially dimly lit walls rich in algae and sponges; from the shallow subtidal to about 50 m.
Sponges, including Dysidea fragilis and Ircinia fasciculata.
