Date:10/23/2023 8:01 PM
Happy Monday everyone! Today's fish of the day is the lion's mane nudibranch!
The lion's mane nudibranch, scientific name Melibe leonina is as the name implies, from the nudibranch order. Specifically they are in a family of sea slugs called Tethydidae and genus Melibe. The Melibe genus is known as carnivorous, marine, sea slugs. As opposed to most species within nudibranch, the Melibe is an active hunter that traps free swimming animals, mostly small crustaceans, with an oral hood. Also known for their lack of radula, a specialized tongue-like structure gastropods have.
This species can be found in the eastern Pacific ocean, ranging from Alaska, all the way to California. They live along sea grass and on kelp structures, The body has no jaws, but an expandable mouth is used for grasping prey. A cirri, similar to a tentacle but without the ability to move freely, is then used to prevent prey from escaping the mouth hood. Unlike all other members of Melibe the Lion's mane nudibranch lacks fictitious plates in the stomach
I hope everyone has a wonderful Monday!
