Trinchesia cf foliata

Trinchesia cf foliata ( very similar to Trinchesia foliata of which description below)

Order : NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder : DEXIARCHIA
Infraorder : CLADOBRANCHIA
Parvorder : AEOLIDIDA
Superfamily : FIONOIDEA
Family : Trinchesiidae
Genus : Trinchesia
Species : Trinchesia cf foliata

Before known as Tenellia cf foliata

This nudibranch has a complex pattern of red markings on the head and body. There are red rings on the oral tentacles and rhinophores, crescent-shaped red marks running longitudinally in front of and behind the rhinophore bases, and a red v-shaped mark behind the heart in the centre of the back. The body and cerata are flecked with spots of yellowish-white pigment, which becomes almost continuous on the front of the head, and forms rings below the tips of the pointed cerata. Typically 10mm in length.

Habitat: This species seems to have a wider choice of hydroid food than most other Trinchesia species. It has certainly been shown to eat Obelia species and Halecium species, and occurs beneath loose stones on the shore as well as in the sublittoral.