Sea Lemon Nudibranch

Photo: Bernard Picton · CC BY

Ireland's largest nudibranch species, reaching 12 cm, grazes on encrusting sponges across Kilkee's cave walls, its warty yellow-brown body blending with the sponge communities it feeds upon. Spawning occurs in winter and spring, producing distinctive ribbon-like egg masses coiled in spiral patterns on rock faces. Cave walls at Kilkee support high densities due to the abundance of their sponge prey in the shaded, sheltered habitat.