Spotted sea hare oozing purplish chemical deterrent ink in a rock pool. Eastern Cape, South Africa (2021). A typical smooth-skinned sea hare with prominent tentacles and ear-like rhinophores. Green-brown, speckled with small, white-centred black spots. Up to 150 mm in length. Common in shallow bays and estuaries. Hides by day and emerges at night to… Continue reading Spotted sea hare (Aplysia oculifera)
Category: Gastropods
Ribbed false-limpet (Siphonaria concinna)
Adult and juvenile ribbed false-limpets on an exposed rock. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2024). Previously called Siphonaria deflexa. Apex of the shell almost central, smooth, white and oval. Outline oval but slightly swollen on the right to accommodate a siphon that extends outwards from the lung cavity. Ribs well-spaced and never prickly, with 20-25 (or… Continue reading Ribbed false-limpet (Siphonaria concinna)
Eastern granular limpet (Scutellastra natalensis)
Eastern granular limpets on a rock face, showing the black granules that decorate their fine ribs. Port Edward, KwaZulu-Natal (2021). Previously known as Patella echinulata or Patella natalensis. Roughly oval, with approximately 50 fine ribs textured with black granules (and not white as in Scutellastra granularis). Often eroded, smoothing the ribs and revealing a brown… Continue reading Eastern granular limpet (Scutellastra natalensis)
Southern periwinkle (Afrolittorina knysnaensis)
Gang of Southern periwinkles hiding in a rock crack. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2024) - iNaturalist Aperture rounded and closed by a transparent, horny operculum. Shell smooth, with a short conical spire. Colour from flecked brown with a dark ring around each coil to almost pure black. Usually under 10 mm. Congregates in crevices, or… Continue reading Southern periwinkle (Afrolittorina knysnaensis)
Common dogwhelk (Nucella dubia)
Details of the yellow speckled foot of the common dogwhelk. Doringbaai, Western Cape (2020). Extraordinarily variable (hence, dubia). Aperture usually large. Body whorl weakly ridged. Colour variable, from grey with black flames, to red-brown with dotted bands, plain grey or brown. Aperture usually dark, often purple. About 20 mm. Extends almost to the high-tide mark… Continue reading Common dogwhelk (Nucella dubia)
Striped bubble shell (Hydatina physis)
Details of the two eye-spots visible in the gap of the headshield. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2024) - iNaturalist Also called the striped paper bubble, green-lined paper bubble, brown-lined paper bubble, and rose petal bubble shell. Shell external, delicate and oval, bearing numerous spiral brown lines. Foot large and pink with thin wavy margin edged… Continue reading Striped bubble shell (Hydatina physis)
Cape false-limpet (Siphonaria capensis)
Two Cape false-limpets (Siphonaria capensis) in a shallow rock pool. Mosselbaai, Western Cape (2022) - iNaturalist Apex of the shell almost central. Outline oval but slightly swollen on the right to accommodate a siphon that extends outwards from the lung cavity. About 40-50 low, flat ribs that are roughly equal in size and scarcely project,… Continue reading Cape false-limpet (Siphonaria capensis)
Bearded limpet (Scutellastra barbara)
A bearded limpet on a rock surface. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2024). Highly variable, but typically tall, with strong, spiky ribs. Sides of the foot white, speckled grey. About 80 mm. Maximum size : 100 mm (Kensley, 1973; Kilburn & Rippey, 1982). Occurs on the low-shore and subtidally. On the East Coast, it defends 'gardens'… Continue reading Bearded limpet (Scutellastra barbara)
Slipper limpet (Crepidula porcellana)
Slipper limpet found attached on the shell of a Burnupena whelk. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2022). Shell in the shape of a tear, with concave internal shelf. Surface smooth, usually brown. About 15 mm. Lives attached on other shells, frequently forming stacks, one on top of another. Changes sex as it matures : the larger… Continue reading Slipper limpet (Crepidula porcellana)
Knobbly dogwhelk (Mancinella capensis)
Details of the rows of tubercles on the knobbly dogwhelk. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2024) - iNaturalist Formerly named Thais capensis or Thylothais capensis. Spire almost as long as the aperture. Grey, with 3 - 4 spiral rows of obvious, paler tubercles. About 40 mm. Hides under rocks in low-shore pools or shallow waters. Eats… Continue reading Knobbly dogwhelk (Mancinella capensis)
F*CK FISH 