Pikachu Nudibranch

Thecacera pacifica is a species of sea slug, a nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Polyceridae.

It is sometimes also nicknamed Pikachu nudibranch due to its resemblance to the Pokémon character Pikachu.

Description

It is translucent orange in colour with black tips to the rhinophores and gills. The rhinophore sheaths are edged with black with a patch of blue at the widest part. This blue colour is also present at the tip of the tail and at the tip of the lateral papillae beside the gills, separated from the orange of the body by a black band. Some specimens have black linear marks on the body with blue centres.

Distribution

This species is known from the African coast of the Indian Ocean (Mozambique) to Indonesia and Vanuatu. It has also been reported from the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean.

Habitat

It is found singly or in pairs on coral and rocky reefs amongst sand and rubble areas.

It exudes toxic secretions when stressed.

It feeds on bryozoans.