Description: This nudibranch is greyish-white in colour with scattered patches of green or brown pigment. Each ceras has a white band towards its tip and 2-3 green or brown bands below this. The digestive gland is white and is visible through the ceratal epidermis. The rhinophores are smooth with white tips and a lower green or brown band. The larger individuals may grow to a length of approximately 20mm.

Habitat: Capellinia vittatus feeds on the calyptoblastic hydroid Kirchenpaueria pinnata. The spawn consists of a flared, cup-like, circle of white ribbon with a basal pad attaching it to the hydroid stem.

Distribution: A frequent species in the north west of the British Isles but much scarcer in the south, although records extend to Torbay, Devon and Galicia, NW Spain.

Similar Species: This species is similar in appearance to Capellinia fustifera but has smooth, unswollen cerata with bands of dark pigment.

Key Identification Features:

• Cerata not swollen, in vertical rows.
• Cerata with dark bands, green pigment and white spots on body.

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

iNaturalist: Capellinia vittatus at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Capellinia vittatus at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Capellinia vittata (Alder & Hancock, 1842). AphiaID: 1829468.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Gastropoda; Heterobranchia; Euthyneura; Ringipleura; Nudipleura; Nudibranchia; Aeolidina; Fionoidea; Eubranchidae; Capellinia