Sea Angels – Predatory Slugs (Cliones) Of The Seas
A recent trip to Thailand took us to Siam Oceanworld in Bangkok, and one of the most fascinating specimens there were the Sea Angels. With fins (parapodia) that look almost like wings, and a body shape to match, they look very much like mini angels, but thats where the similarities end.
A type of sea slugs, related to the snails, they are voracious predators feeding almost solely on sea butterflies (other species also feed on zooplankton). They hunt down their victim snaring them with specialised mouth tentacles. Once trapped, the prey is ripped from its shell with sharp hooks and swallowed whole.
Sea angels are gelatinous, mostly transparent and very small non shelled mollusks, with the largest species (Clione limacina) reaching 5 cm. Clione limacina is a polar species; those found in warmer waters are far smaller.
Their “wings” lend grace to the sea angels as they swim through the water, and also allows them surprising bursts of speed.
