Intertidal Invertebrates of the Monterey Bay Area, California

Compiled & photographed by Gary McDonald, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California, Santa Cruz

Description: Ground color greyish-white to light cream or yellowish to a light brownish-yellow, numerous irregular specks of brownish to light grey or greenish over body and on cerata. Cerata somewhat inflated, may bear tubercles and are arranged in 4-6 groups on either side of dorsum, each bears a diffuse, subapical band of brownish to light grey or greenish, with whitish tip; cores vary from yellowish-green to brown. Oral tentacles a light shade of body color with translucent whitish tips and a subapical band of brownish to light grey or greenish, and a few small, irregular spots of the same color. Rhinophores smooth, colored as oral tentacles. Foot corners rounded. May be distinguished from Eubranchus rupium which has opaque white dots on head, & has dorso-medial band of olive green.
Size: Typically about 8mm in length.
Notes: Feeds on hydroids such as Obelia sp. and Plumularia sp.