Scientific Name: Philinopsis speciosa

Adult Size: 30 – 60 mm
Depth Range: 1 – 20 m; commonly seen on sandy bottoms, lagoons, and reef flats
Biotope / Habitat: Prefers sandy or silty substrates, often crawling over the seafloor in search of prey. Sometimes encountered in shallow lagoons or near seagrass beds.
Diet: Carnivorous; preys mainly on other small opisthobranchs, including fellow headshield slugs. It swallows its prey whole using a highly extensible pharynx.
Reproduction: Simultaneous hermaphrodite; individuals exchange sperm during mating. Lays egg ribbons that are deposited on sand or nearby hard surfaces. Eggs develop into free-swimming planktonic larvae.
Fun Fact: Philinopsis speciosa is often nicknamed the "headshield slug" due to its broad, shovel-like head. This feature allows it to plow through sand and bury itself quickly when disturbed. Its vibrant coloration, with blue, yellow, and black markings, makes it one of the most striking members of its family.

Elegant yet predatory, Philinopsis speciosa combines beauty and stealth. For divers and macro photographers, its bold patterns against a sandy backdrop are a mesmerizing sight, especially when it glides gracefully over the seabed in search of its next meal.