Felimare Tricolor Nudibranch

Felimare tricolor

Felimare tricolor is a beautifully colored dorid nudibranch found in the Mediterranean Sea and eastern Atlantic. Adults reach 3-5 cm and display a deep blue to indigo body with three prominent bright yellow longitudinal lines running along the back and flanks, and a yellow border around the mantle edge. The rhinophores and gill plume are typically orange-tipped. They inhabit rocky reefs and boulder fields at depths of 5-40 meters, feeding on sponges from which they sequester chemical compounds for their own defense. Their striking three-color pattern of blue, yellow, and orange gives them their name and makes them one of the most visually striking nudibranchs in European waters. They are hermaphroditic and often observed mating in pairs or chains. Formerly classified as Hypselodoris tricolor, this species was reclassified to the genus Felimare. They are a highlight of Mediterranean macro diving and are enthusiastically sought by underwater photographers.