Description: Candiella manicata is a small nudibranch, with a maximum body length of 13 mm. The body is white with dark red, green or black pigment spots on its back. The edges of the mantle bear paired, branched gills, 4 pairs in an 11 mm specimen. The rhinophores have sheaths and are branched at the tips. There are 3-4 pairs of long, slender oral tentacles.

Habitat: The diet in British waters is unknown, but it is reported as feeding on the alcyonacean Cornularia cornucopiae in the Mediterranean.

Distribution: This species is frequent in the Mediterranean and reported from the Atlantic coast of France, but only one or two records exist for the British Isles. The first British record was from Lundy, Bristol Channel, in 1978.

Similar Species: Easily distinguished from Candiella plebeia by the longer oral processes and its distinctive coloration.

Key Identification Features:

• White body with irregular, elongate, dark spots.
• Six to eight processes on the oral veil.

Distribution Map from NBN: Candiella manicata at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Candiella manicata at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Candiella manicata at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Candiella manicata (Deshayes, 1853). AphiaID: 1669252.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Gastropoda; Heterobranchia; Euthyneura; Ringipleura; Nudipleura; Nudibranchia; Cladobranchia; Tritonioidea; Tritoniidae; Tritoniinae; Candiella