Description: The body is translucent white in colour with thin lines of opaque white pigment. The cerata are numerous and arranged in clusters along the sides of the body. They are filled with digestive gland of variable colour, red, red-brown or yellow-orange. There are normally two lines, or a series of dashes of white pigment on the sides of the cerata and they have a ring of white pigment below the tip. Typically about 20mm-30mm in length, but well-fed individuals may be larger.

Habitat: A common species in spring and early summer in shallow exposed sites and deeper water which is exposed to tidal streams. The normal food is the hydroid Tubularia indivisa but other hydroids are sometimes eaten, such as Corymorpha nutans. Often found in mixed populations with Fjordia browni. The spawn consists of a thread which is laid in a wavy spiral.

Distribution: Found throughout the British Isles, and also south as far as the Mediterranean Sea.

Key Identification Features:

• White longitudinal lines down the back and sides of the body.
• White lines or dashes on the cerata.

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

iNaturalist: Fjordia lineata at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Fjordia lineata

WoRMS: Fjordia lineata at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Fjordia lineata (Lovén, 1846). AphiaID: 1047411.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Gastropoda; Heterobranchia; Euthyneura; Ringipleura; Nudipleura; Nudibranchia; Aeolidina; Fionoidea; Coryphellidae; Fjordia