Striking Blue Dragon Nudibranch Sea Slugs Wash Ashore On NSW North Coast Beaches

A striking blue dragon sea slug that eats bluebottles and can give a powerful sting has been washing ashore and capturing the imagination of residents on the north coast of New South Wales.

The small sea slugs are only about only 25 millimetres long, which means they are often overlooked in between beached bluebottles. Port Macquarie-based surf school instructor Corey Enfield said, despite their unassuming size, he had seen a surprisingly large number on local beaches recently. "I saw a whole bunch of the little blue nudibranchs at local Flynn's Beach the other afternoon," he said. "They are beautiful to look at. I became aware of them about two or three seasons ago and I've seen them maybe three or four times," he said. (The nudibranch is only tiny, seen here next to a fingertip.(Supplied: Michael Spooner)