Scientific Name: Colpodaspis thompsoni
Common Name: Thompson’s headshield slug

Adult Size: 5 – 10 mm
Depth Range: 2 – 25 m
Biotope / Habitat: Inhabits sandy and silty bottoms of seagrass meadows and shallow reefs, often hidden among detritus and algae
Diet: Feeds on small foraminiferans and diatoms, using its ciliated foot and sensory structures to navigate and locate prey
Reproduction: Hermaphroditic; partners align to exchange sperm, with eggs laid in fine, spiral ribbons under small rocks or among algae
Fun Fact: Colpodaspis thompsoni’s smooth, glossy shell-like mantle covers its delicate body, offering protection as it glides across the sandy seabed.

This petite headshield slug is a master of disguise, blending perfectly into the sandy or silty bottom with its light, translucent shell and subtle coloration. It’s a rare find for keen-eyed divers!