The bright electric blue stripes of a blue-rayed limpet are a key characteristic of this limpet (but are absent in juveniles <1 cm). They are translucent and brownish in colour, with a small oval shell. It is much smaller than the common limpet.

Behaviour

Blue-Rayed Limpets feed on the kelp itself, creating a little pit on the kelp frond as they eat. It prefers high energy environments with lots of water flow and is not normally fond of areas of low flow, siltation or freshwater influence.

Size

Up to 2 cm.

Status

Common.

Distribution

All around Scotland’s coast.

When to see

All year around.

Facts

Blue-Rayed limpets move down the Kelp in autumn to avoid being cast adrift if the kelp frond is damaged or lost in rough winter seas.