The dotted sea slug is characterized by its white body covered with numerous brownish spots of varying sizes, which gives it its nickname.

The dotted sea slug has an oval shape and possesses two retractable, club-shaped rhinophores, transversely ridged, located at the front of its body, as well as eight retractable plume-shaped gills arranged in a circle around the anus. The rhinophores allow it to detect scents in the seawater and locate its food. Both the rhinophores and the gills are white, blending with its spotted body.

The dotted sea slug usually measures around 2 inches but can reach up to 4.7 inches in length.

The dotted sea slug is mainly found in the Mediterranean sea, but some specimens have been observed in the Atlantic ocean, particularly in areas near the Mediterranean.

It is more commonly found in temperate waters rich in sponges, its primary food source, which largely determines its geographic distribution.

The dotted sea slug inhabits rocky substrates and can be found from the surface down to about 130 feet deep.

It is often seen under stones, in crevices, or on rocky walls covered with sponges, where it feeds and hides.

The dotted sea slug feeds exclusively on the stone sponge (Petrosia ficiformis), on which it is not uncommon to find several dotted sea slug together.

This dietary specialization makes the dotted sea slug dependent on the availability of this sponge, limiting the areas where it can establish itself.

The dotted sea slug is hermaphroditic. Its egg laying takes the form of a coiled gelatinous ribbon, often attached to rocky substrates or sponges and can contain several hundred eggs.

The dotted sea slug belongs to the order of nudibranchs, characterized by their external plume-shaped gills.

Like many nudibranchs, it can accumulate chemical compounds from its prey to protect itself from predators.

Keep your eyes open! You won't fail to spot the dotted sea slug, recognizable by its white body speckled with dark spots.

Stay alert and you may see its plume-shaped gills at the back or its rhinophores at the front of the body, which it extends as soon as any danger has passed.