Mottled Seahare

Aplysia brasiliana

Aplysia brasiliana, commonly known as the mottled seahare, is a marine gastropod that can grow up to 40 cm long. Its coloration is typically black or very dark brown, often featuring mottled spots across its body, which helps distinguish it from similar species. It has a thin red border along its parapodia, foot, and tentacles. The animal possesses two oral tentacles and smaller rhinopores, with eyes located in front of the rhinopores. A distinctive feature is its rounded 'tail' at the hindside, covered by a mantle that protects its gills and internal organs. This species inhabits the Western Atlantic, ranging from New Jersey to Brazil, and can also be found in the Eastern Atlantic, including the Mediterranean and West African coast. Mottled seahares prefer shallow waters, typically found in depths shallower than 40 meters, with most sightings occurring under 10 meters. They are often located in rocky environments, tide pools, and among algae. Feeding primarily on algae and seaweed, these sea hares are known for their graceful swimming, often seen flapping their parapodia like wings. They reproduce by laying long, pale cream egg masses that resemble noodles. The ink they secrete, which can appear purple due to their diet of red algae, is thought to be a defense mechanism against predators. The conservation status of Aplysia brasiliana has not been evaluated.