The enchanting Costasiella sea slug, captured beautifully by Yusuke Fukami, is truly a delightful marvel of the ocean! This charming little creature, with its whimsical appearance, has been a dream encounter for a Japanese scuba diver, and that dream recently came true.

Yusuke embarked on a journey to Bali, specifically to the picturesque diving spot in Tulamben, a quaint fishing village on the northeast coast, with the hope of meeting this extraordinary sea slug. His excitement was palpable: “Meeting this creature was the reason we visited Tulamben, and when I finally found one, I was overjoyed to have accomplished my goal!”

Hailing from the coastal city of Kanagawa, Yusuke's December trip was filled with anticipation as he set his sights on the adorable pink-tipped sea slugs that thrive in the warm waters of Southeast Asia. His stay at the Noble Bali diving resort was certainly rewarding!

Upon encountering the sea slug, he couldn't contain his delight, exclaiming, “It was so cute that I was like, ‘Ahhhhhhhh it’s cuuuuuuute’ while snapping photos of it in its underwater home.”

The Costasiella kuroshimae, affectionately known as the 'leaf sheep', is a tiny mollusk without a shell, first discovered just 30 years ago off the coast of Japan. With its two dark eyes and unique sensing organs that resemble little sheep's ears, this creature is a testament to the wonders of nature.

Measuring just about 1/4 to 3/8 inch in length (5-10 mm), these slugs have a fascinating diet of algae, which allows them to perform photosynthesis—an extraordinary ability that links them to the plant kingdom.

This joyful encounter highlights the beauty of our planet's biodiversity and the happiness that comes from exploring it. Sharing the wonders of the 'sheep slug' with friends can spread even more joy and appreciation for the incredible world we inhabit!