Doride tricolore - Felimare tricolor
We found these three specimens of Felimare tricolor on a rocky and coralligenous bottom at a depth ranging from 45 to 50 meters. These animals are quite common in the Mediterranean and are also difficult to photograph and film with normal cameras due to their small size. What is striking in this video is the presence of at least three specimens in very few square decimetres that leads us to think that they are probably being reproduced. Felimare tricolor Sea Snail Nudibranchia intotheblue.it
The tricolor dorid (Felimare tricolor (Cantraine, 1835)) is a species of the genus Felimare, belonging to the Chromodorididae family of nudibranch molluscs. It has now been described by various authors as belonging to the genus Chromodoris, now to the genus Goniodoris, to the genus Doris, to the genus Mexichromis, Hypselodoris and also to the genus Glossodoris.
Habitat and distribution
Common in the Mediterranean Sea, Eastern Atlantic Ocean, on rocky or muddy bottoms from 10 to 50 meters deep.
Description
Body of blue color, elongated, with a white or yellow dorsal line, which does not exceed the rhinophores. There are often shades of blue between the center line and the edge of the coat, with yellow bands. Rhinophores of the same color as the body, branchial tuft of the same color. Up to 35mm. Felimare tricolor Sea Snail Nudibranchia intotheblue.it
Biology
Behavior To defend itself, it secretes toxic substances.
Supply
It feeds on sponges both of the genus Cacospongia and of the species Dysidea avara and Dysidea fragilis.
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felimare_tricolor
https://www.intotheblue.it/2020/09/11/nudibranchia-felimare-tricolor/