Gold Line Sea Goddess

Felimare ruthae

Felimare ruthae is a colorful sea slug characterized by its blue-black body, which is adorned with a yellow-lined mantle and yellow longitudinal lines. Bright-blue striations can be seen on its dorsum, while its gills are typically translucent and outlined in black. The rhinophores are black with a distinctive yellow-white vertical line. This nudibranch can reach a total length of at least 25 mm, making it a noticeable sight for divers in its habitat. This species is found in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, often inhabiting depths ranging from 1 to 12 meters. It thrives in tropical environments and is typically seen on the seafloor, where it feeds primarily on the sponge Dysidea etheria. Encounters with this nudibranch can be quite rewarding, as divers may observe it actively grazing on sponges or resting on the substrate. Felimare ruthae is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, meaning individuals possess both male and female reproductive organs. During mating, individuals engage in a unique courtship behavior where they attempt to induce each other to act as a male or female. Eggs are deposited on a suitable substrate, where they develop into a planktonic larval stage before maturing into adults.