Sea sheep (Leaf sheep) (Costasiella kuroshimae)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Costasiella kuroshimae
- Common name
- Sea sheep (Leaf sheep)
- Category
- Molluscs
- Family
- Costasiellidae
- Genus
- Costasiella
- Size
- 0–2 cm
- Depth
- 1–15 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, slow-mover
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Costasiella kuroshimae reaches 2 cm. Tiny sacoglossan mollusk (Costasiellidae) Indo-Pacific with stocky vivid green body with two highly visible distinctive large black eyes, pale white-green wavy cerata covering back like fur. Sea sheep or leaf sheep nickname for striking resemblance to grazing miniature sheep. Lives from 1 to 15 m on Avrainvillea green algae of central Indo-Pacific (Indonesia, Philippines, Japan). Photosynthetic kleptoplasty with algae chloroplasts. Legendary viral super-macro photo subject, one of the cutest nudibranchs worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Sea sheep (Leaf sheep)?
- Sea sheep (Leaf sheep) (Costasiella kuroshimae) reaches 0–2 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Sea sheep (Leaf sheep)?
- Sea sheep (Leaf sheep) is found between 1–15 m deep.
- Is the Sea sheep (Leaf sheep) dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Sea sheep (Leaf sheep)?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Sea sheep (Leaf sheep)?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Similar species
- Aliger gigas - Queen conch
- Chromodoris magnifica - Magnificent chromodoris
- Phorcus turbinatus - Turbinate monodont
- Octopus vulgaris - Common octopus
- Hypselodoris picta - Painted hypselodoris
- Felimida purpurea - Purple doris
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 494655)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5859288)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia