A purple Flabellina affinis nudibranch, Corfu, Greece by Aniek Stevense

This picture of this little purple nudibranch (~2cm) has been taken in Corfu, Greece.

Flabellina affinis is a brightly colored nudibranch found in the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern Atlantic Ocean. It feeds mainly on hydroids, small stinging animals related to jellyfish. While feeding, it stores the stinging cells (cnidocytes) from its prey inside its own body, using them later as a defense mechanism.

Like some other nudibranchs, Flabellina affinis can also absorb pigments and even photosynthetic algae from its food. These algae remain active within its tissues and contribute to its distinctive purple coloration. Through this process, the nudibranch benefits indirectly from photosynthesis — the algae use sunlight to produce energy that the slug can make use of.

This underwater photo was taken while diving, focusing on the small marine life that often goes unnoticed. Underwater macro photography requires a lot of skill and control – you move, the subject moves, and light behaves completely differently than it does above the surface. Everything has to come together: buoyancy, timing, and sharp focus.

The result shows how much color, detail, and life exists beneath the surface. I photograph to make this hidden world visible and to show how unique and fragile it really is.

Want to see more images from this series? Take a look at my full gallery here on Werk aan de Muur.