Family Aglajidae Higher classification Chelidonura | Superfamily Philinoidea Genus Chelidonura Rank Species | |
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Similar Chelidonura, Aglajidae, Cephalaspidea, Philinopsis, Chelidonura amoena | ||
Chelidonura varians
Chelidonura varians is a species of small sea slug, a marine opisthobranch gastropod mollusc in the order Cephalaspidea, the headshield slugs.
Contents
- Chelidonura varians
- Blue line nudibranch eating flat worms red planaria chelidonura varians
- Description habitat
- Distribution
- Diet
- References
Blue line nudibranch eating flat worms red planaria chelidonura varians
Description & habitat
This species has a maximum size of 70 mm. The background color is deep black. The margin of the parapods and body are marked with a thin electric blue line. The two rather long "tails" at the end of the animal are characteristic of the genus Chelidonura, the left one is always longer. They have also well-developed sensory cilia on the anterior edge of the head which are used to find the preys.
This species lives on reef areas in shallow water lagoons with sandy or muddy bottom until 30 m depth.
Distribution
This cephalaspidean is widespread in the tropical waters of the Indo-west Pacific region.
Diet
Chelidonura varians feeds on flatworms and it is used in aquariums to eradicate small flat worm invasions.
