The Mediterranean Violet Aeolid is a species in the family of the Flabellinidae and thus belongs to the class of the Gastropoda.
Description
Flabellina affinis has a long-stretched body. Its colour is violet with violet threads whose tips are white. They reach a maximum size of 5cm in length.
Habitat and Distribution
The Mediterranean Violet Aeolid lives on rocky, sometimes sandy grounds, down to a depth of 70m. When diving in the Canaries you can observe it quiet often in certain locations. In addition, its distribution area extends across the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean from the coasts of Spain and Portugal all the way to Ghana.
Biology
Flabellina affinis feeds on polyp heads of hydrozoas.
It is hermaphroditic and can reproduce throughout the year. Its clutches are wrapped around hydrozoa colonies of the genus Eudendrium. The clutches are also violet and can be observed in most cases as well. The size of the eggs is between 0.08 mm and 0.09 mm.