Pleurobranchus peronii
Peron's pleurobranch
Philippines · Indo Pacific - South China Sea
- Size
- 20–60 mm · max 70 mm
- Native range
- Indo-West Pacific, from South Africa and Mauritius (type locality) to Japan, Australia and French Polynesia.
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Description
A very common, widespread side-gilled slug and the type species of the genus Pleurobranchus. It is nocturnal, hiding under rocks by day, and its colour changes markedly as it grows, which has led to several juvenile forms being described under other names.
Share link: https://seaslugs.org.il/species/pleurobranchus-peronii-phillipines-indo-pacific-south-china-sea/
Identification
Oval body with the mantle covered in small tubercles, each outlined by a polygon darker than the background (sometimes white). Adult ground colour ranges from translucent white through yellow and brown to deep purple. Juveniles are translucent white with some tubercles tipped reddish purple and an orange or red mantle edge.
Similar species
Young Pleurobranchus grandis look similar but have a white reticulate pattern between the tubercles, absent in P. peronii.
Habitat & diet
Habitat
Coral and rocky reefs, under rocks and rubble by day.
Food
Like other Pleurobranchus, mainly ascidians (sea squirts).
