Fjordia lineata (Lovén, 1846)

Fjordia lineata

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 two lines 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 and north to Norway.

Key Identification Features:

• White longitudinal lines down the back and sides of the body.
• White lines on the cerata.
• White lines merging into rings at the tip of the cerata

Distribution Map: NBN map : National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

WoRMS: Species record : World Register of Marine Species.

iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database