Nudibranch (Thecacera picta)

This species of nudibranch was first discovered in Japan but has since been confirmed to live as far south as Australia and the Maldives. These tiny sea slugs feed on bryozoa, which are microscopic filter feeding organisms that live in colonies. Nudibranch means “naked lungs”, a name given due to the organism’s exposed gills which are located on its back.

We photographed this tiny sea slug while diving in Anilao, Philippines.

Read more in our post, Biodiversity from the Muck to the Reef: Scuba Diving Anilao, Philippines.