Psychedelic Batwing Slug

Psychedelic Batwing Slug
Sagaminopteron Psychedelicum

Barely two centimeters long, this tiny sea slug makes an extraordinary amount of visual noise. Its pale body is scattered with irregular orange patches outlined in black, while the edges of its broad side flaps glow with soft orange and white. A warm orange-red head and translucent, speckled gill complete the pattern, giving the little slug an almost candy-colored appearance. When disturbed, those side flaps can beat against the water and send it briefly swimming away from the reef.

• Size: Up to around 20 mm, with some records reaching approximately 30 mm
• Range: Indo-West Pacific; including the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, the western Pacific and parts of the Indian Ocean
• Habitat / Depth: Tropical coral reefs and sponge-rich areas, typically from around 1–25 m
• Diet: Feeds primarily on sponges, including Dysidea species