The candelabra nudibranch, Eubranchus sp. 5, as designated by Zsilavecz, 2007, is a species

Species

In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...

 of sea slug

Slug

Slug is a common name that is normally applied to any gastropod mollusc that lacks a shell, has a very reduced shell, or has a small internal shell...

 or nudibranch

Nudibranch

A nudibranch is a member of what is now a taxonomic clade, and what was previously a suborder, of soft-bodied, marine gastropod mollusks which shed their shell after their larval stage. They are noted for their often extraordinary colors and striking forms...

, a marine

Marine (ocean)

Marine is an umbrella term. As an adjective it is usually applicable to things relating to the sea or ocean, such as marine biology, marine ecology and marine geology...

 gastropod mollusc in the family

Family (biology)

In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...

 Eubranchidae

Eubranchidae

Eubranchidae is a taxonomic family of sea slugs, marine gastropod mollusks in the superfamily Aeolidioidea, the aeolid nudibranchs.-Genera and species:Genera and species within the family Eubranchidae include:* Baeolidia...

. It is an aeolid nudibranch, which is known to occur off the South Africa

South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...

n coast. As at August 2010, it remained undescribed

Undescribed taxon

In taxonomy, an undescribed taxon is a taxon that has been discovered, but not yet formally described and named. The various Nomenclature Codes specify the requirements for a new taxon to be validly described and named. Until such a description has been published, the taxon has no formal or...

 by science.

Distribution

This species has to date only been found off South Africa, from the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula

Cape Peninsula

The Cape Peninsula is a generally rocky peninsula that juts out for 75 km into the Atlantic Ocean at the south-western extremity of the African continent. At the southern end of the peninsula are Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope...

 to eastern False Bay

False Bay

False Bay is a body of water defined by Cape Hangklip and the Cape Peninsula in the extreme South-West of South Africa.- Description and location :...

, in 5-20 m of water. It appears to be endemic.

Description

The candelabra nudibranch is a small nudibranch, reaching 10-15 mm in total length. It is a slender pale-bodied nudibranch covered with brown blotches and opaque white streaks. Its cerata

Cerata

Cerata are anatomical structures found in nudibranch sea slugs, marine opisthobranch gastropod mollusks.They are dorsal and lateral outgrowths on the upper surfaces of the body....

 are shaped rather like burning candles and are all olive coloured. The rhinophores protrude from cup-like sheaths.

Ecology

This species lays a pale semi spiral collar of eggs.