Scientific Name: Elysia nigropunctata
Common Name: Black-spotted sap-sucking slug

Adult Size: 10 – 30 mm
Depth Range: 1 – 20 m
Biotope / Habitat: Inhabits shallow seagrass beds and algal-covered rocks, blending with the green and brown hues of its environment
Diet: Algae-feeding; uses specialized feeding structures to suck out the cellular contents, retaining chloroplasts for photosynthesis (kleptoplasty)
Reproduction: Hermaphroditic; mates reciprocally, with eggs laid in delicate, spiral ribbons on algae and seagrass leaves
Fun Fact: The black dots that give Elysia nigropunctata its name help it camouflage perfectly in sun-dappled algae meadows, making it a stealthy “solar slug.”

This lovely slug has a soft, leaf-like body in shades of green with characteristic black speckles. Its gentle movements and natural camouflage make it a delight to find in calm, shallow waters.