Slug ?

[bubble blower]

Sorry don't have a camera yet but wondered if anyone can recomend good site for identifying NZ species.

While diving yesterday, (in Queen Charlotte sound) I saw what I guess is a type of sea slug. It was bright Purple, around 230mm long, head looked like a snail, and had white thick blunt bristles growing from its back sort of like a scalp massage hair brush. Rocky bottom with silt below, about 12 M and temp 17c.

Trev

[binklebonk]

This one?

images.jpeg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_mirabilis

[ChuckyBob]

Thats a Jason mirabilis BB and they dont get as big as 230mm.
Biggest I have seen would be 50mm or so.
And here is a much better pic


There are a few great slug ID sites on the net. I cant think of any names at the mo but in the mean time try this one.

http://slugsite.tierranet.com/

[bubble blower]

Looks close.

Data sheet says they only grow to about 55mm so I either saw a mutant or suck at estimating size under water.

Thanks
Trev

[justsimon]

The easy way to guess size of small beasties underwater is to measure your hand span between little finger and thumb before you dive. I have small hands and mine's a touch over 200mm, half is 100mm etc. 230mm sounds huge for a Jason.

For future ID try Ian Skipworths site.