Eyed Sea Hare, Aplysia oculifera

Eyed Sea Hares are rarely seen, but when they are it is not uncommon to find them in abundance, hiding in the algae and sea weed or under rocks and in walled crevices. They tend to blend in well with their surrounding.  Disturb one, and you may find yourself covered in a dark purple/pink mucous (seen in a couple of photos below).  Their eggs look like a greenish to brownish green, spongy twisted mess of spaghetti. Aplysia oculifera get their common name from the brown and white rings or “eyes spots” (ocelli) that dot their frilly pink, reddish-brown or olive green parapodia (body wall that encloses mantle).  Unlike the White-Speckled Sea Hare, which they are often confused with, their parapodia is quite a bit more ruffled and rises higher above their mantle. Like most other sea hares, they get their common name from their relatively large rabbit-like cephalic tentacles and rhinophores.    To about 60 mm or 2.5  inches. 

For more detailed information please see Cory Pittman and Pauline Fiene’s site Sea Slugs of Hawaii.