Scientific Name: Elysia marginata
Common Name: Margined sap-sucking slug

Adult Size: 15 – 50 mm
Depth Range: 1 – 20 m
Biotope / Habitat: Inhabits shallow seagrass meadows and algal beds, gliding over leaves and algae in calm, sunlit waters
Diet: Consumes algae through sap-sucking, retaining chloroplasts to perform photosynthesis (kleptoplasty)
Reproduction: Hermaphroditic; reciprocal mating occurs, and eggs are laid in delicate spirals or coils on algae and seagrass
Fun Fact: Elysia marginata can actually “decapitate” itself as a form of regeneration, a unique and fascinating defense mechanism in the animal kingdom.

This bright green slug is a master of disguise, with a shimmering, leaf-like body that blends perfectly with its habitat. Look for its subtle undulating edges, which help it glide effortlessly over algae.