(All forwarded from Birch Aquarium newsletter)
Meet the Melibe
Check out this awesome close-up of a melibe, a unique type of nudibranch — aka sea slug — that was photographed in our nursery! Most nudibranch species will utilize their radula — a tooth-like tongue — to graze on algae, sponges, anemones, and even other nudibranchs. However, a melibe uses a unique oral hood to capture a meal. To feed, a melibe will sweep its tentacle-frilled hood downward and sideways to trap small plankton drifting nearby. It will then contract its hood to force the captured food into its mouth.
Also known as the Lion’s Mane Nudibranch
Found in the kelp forests of Alaska all the way down to the Gulf of California
They secrete a distinct odor to ward off predators — many say it smells like watermelon!
Visit the nursery in the Hall of Fishes on your next visit! You can find this incredible sea slug hanging out alongside the sand crabs!
here is a picture of another Melibe from the Monterrey Aquarium giving a better picture of how the hood is used. Not specified which species this is.
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