Description: This inconspicuous nudibranch is pale yellow with extensive greenish-brown mottling. Usually there are two patches of darker pigment behind the rhinophores. It has six finger-like processes on its oral veil and up to six pairs of arborescent lateral gills. Adults vary in length from approximately 16-30mm.

Habitat: Candiella plebeia feeds on the soft coral Alcyonium digitatum and is usually found hiding at the base of the colony or amongst bryozoan undergrowth nearby. The spawn is a string laid in a convoluted coil, usually on rock at the base of Alcyonium colonies.

Distribution: This species is frequent all round the British Isles. It reaches its northern limit at Norway and its southern limit at Portugal.

Similar Species: Candiella plebeia is similar in appearance to Candiella manicata but not as slender as that species and much darker in colour.

Key Identification Features:

• Pairs of lateral arborescent gills.
• Mottled greenish-brown coloration.
• Six processes on the oral veil in adults.

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

iNaturalist: Candiella plebeia at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Candiella plebeia at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Candiella plebeia (G. Johnston, 1828). AphiaID: 1321828.

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