Oxynoe antillarum

Oxynoe antillarum is a small sea slug characterized by its mottled white pattern and translucent white spots. The body is green and oval-shaped, featuring a long, narrow tail with a wide longitudinal white dorsal band. Its tentacles and head sides are white, adorned with green dots arranged in series. The shell is involute and ovate, with a hyaline-white appearance and a large, broadly ovate aperture. This species is typically found in the Western Atlantic, particularly around Saint Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, inhabiting depths ranging from 0 to 11 meters, often in shallow waters. Divers may encounter this species in various benthic environments, including coral reefs and seagrass beds, where it blends into the surroundings due to its coloration and patterns. Encountering Oxynoe antillarum can be intriguing, as it may display its unique feeding habits and defensive behaviors when disturbed. It feeds primarily on algae, incorporating photosynthetic pigments from the algae into its mantle, which allows it to gain additional nutrition through photosynthesis. The species is not evaluated for conservation status, indicating a lack of specific data on its population trends.