Diamond-mask Sap-sucker
Costasiella kuroshimae
A tiny sacoglossan sea slug from shallow, algae-rich tropical waters around Japan and nearby islands. It crawls over seaweed and pierces algal cells with a specialized radula, sucking out the contents rather than grazing like a typical snail. Its green, leaf-like cerata help it blend into algae, and retained chloroplasts from its food can keep photosynthesizing inside its body for a time. Despite its cute “leaf sheep” appearance, it is a delicate, slow-moving animal that relies on concealment and mucus more than force.
- Type
- Water / Stealth
- Conservation status
- NE
Growth chain
- ?
- ?
- Diamond-mask Sap-sucker