Orange Gumdrop

Berthellina delicata is a species of sea slugs, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Pleurobranchidae.

Description

Maximum size: 57 mm. This is a light to dark orange species, sometimes with a few scattered pale spots. It has a gelatinous texture. This species is nocturnal.It occurs in rocky habitats at protected sites and in Halimeda kanaloana beds. Berthellina delicata feeds on coral polyps such as Porites, Tubastra, Montipora and on sponges.

Distribution

Big Island, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, Niihau, French Frigate Shoals, Pearl & Hermes Reef, Midway and Kure: widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific.

Habitat

Berthellina delicata is a common nocturnal pleurobranchid found in rocky habitats at protected to exposed sites and, occasionally, in Halimeda kanaloana beds. It occurs in tide pools and subtidally to depths of at least 9 m (30 ft). It feeds on a variety of scleractinian corals and sponges. It lays a cream, collar-shaped egg mass that hatches in five or six days in the laboratory.