Scientific Name: Elysia sp. (unidentified)
Common Name: -

Size: Up to 2 cm
Depth Range: 1–25 m
Habitat: Seagrass beds, algal-covered rubble, and shallow reef flats
Diet: Feeds primarily on filamentous or macroalgae, extracting chloroplasts from its food (a process called kleptoplasty) and incorporating them into its own tissue
Reproduction: Hermaphroditic; individuals exchange sperm and lay egg ribbons attached to algae or other surfaces
Fun Fact: Elysia species are masters of solar energy at sea. By sequestering chloroplasts from the algae they consume, some species can photosynthesize and gain energy from light, making them one of the few “solar-powered” animals!

Observation Tip: Look for this tiny, leaf-like slug slowly crawling across patches of algae. Its translucent body and soft green or brown color often blend seamlessly with its surroundings, making it challenging to spot unless you look closely.