Blue dragon aeolid (Pteraeolidia ianthina)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Pteraeolidia ianthina
- Common name
- Blue dragon aeolid
- Category
- Molluscs
- Family
- Facelinidae
- Genus
- Pteraeolidia
- Size
- 8–15 cm
- Depth
- 1–30 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, venomous, slow-mover
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific
Description
Pteraeolidia ianthina reaches 15 cm. Very elongated aeolid nudibranch with purple to pale blue body, white-cream, mauve or purple cerata (dorsal outgrowths) with stinging cnidocyst tips for defense. Unique feature: sequesters symbiotic zooxanthellae from prey hydroids in its cerata, becoming photosynthetic (kleptoplasty relationship). Lives from 1 to 30 m on coral reefs and hydroids of Indo-Pacific. Sought-after macro photo subject for its undulating colors.
Photo of Blue dragon aeolid
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Blue dragon aeolid?
- Blue dragon aeolid (Pteraeolidia ianthina) reaches 8–15 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Blue dragon aeolid?
- Blue dragon aeolid is found between 1–30 m deep.
- Is the Blue dragon aeolid dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Blue dragon aeolid?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Blue dragon aeolid?
- Found in: Asian Pacific.
Other species in the family Facelinidae
- Cratena minor - Smaller cratena
- Phidiana indica - Indian phidiana
- Caloria indica - Indian caloria
- Cratena peregrina - Peregrine aeolid
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 213527)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2292218)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia