Three-Lined Aeolid (Orienthella trilineata)

Description: The body of the three-lined aeolid is translucent white. Like its name suggests, it has three white stripes down its body. There are also many cerata along its back that are red or orange. Individuals of this species can be up to 3.5 cm.

Habitat: Three-lined aeolids are found on rocks, mudflats, and around boat docks. They prefer low intertidal zones down to subtidal depths of 50 m. Their range is from Alaska to Baja California, Mexico.

Diet: These nudibranchs mostly eat hydroids and, like some other aeolids, use their nematocysts for their own protection.

Tide Pool Tidbits:

• Taxonomy has changed a few times for this species. It has previously been placed in the genera Flabellina and Coryphella with the species names being trilineata, fisheri, or piunca.

References: The New Beachcomber’s Guide to the Pacific Northwest by J Duane Sept, World Register of Marine Species