Fish of the Day 51 - I got that blue sea dragon in me

Today's fish of the day is the blue glaucus! Also known as the blue sea dragon, this is a super interesting nudibranch!!

Blue glaucus facts:

- Although these creatures are very small, only growing to around an inch long, don't let their size fool you. The blue sea dragon has painful toxins in it's appendanges, and touching it can lead to a variety of painful symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting. However, they do not naturally produce this venom. These sea slugs prey on Portuguese man o war, a well known siphonophore that can deliver a lethal sting. When they are eaten, the blue sea dragon will contain it's stinging things in it's tendrils. Here's a video I found of some blue dragons eating a man o war, though i'm not sure how good of an example it is.

- The underside of the blue sea dragon is a greyish colour, while the top is blue. This is a clever way to camoflauge, because they spend alot of time floating around the surface of water.  They can blend in from an arial view and from below!

- Sadly, because they float on the surface, this species frequently falls victim to ocean pollution. There have been numerous sightings of these creatures stuck in plastic! :(

- Blue sea dragons are  simultaneous hermaphrodites, meaning they have both male and female reproductive organs. This is very commonly observed within nudibranches!

Do you got that blue sea dragon in you? I have to say it's got an awesome name, so i'll give it that... and eating man o wars?? That's CRAZY i like this nudibranch alot