sea slug
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Phyllodesmium briareum Mimicking Soft Coral on the Reef — Puerto Galera
Phyllodesmium briareum, or the Yellow-tipped Phyllodesmium, is a solar-powered nudibranch that mimics soft corals in the Philippines. With translucent bodies and elongated cerata, they blend into their environment, making them hard to spot. They utilize symbiotic algae for nutrients and can shed cerata to evade predators.
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Ceratosoma trilobatum Laying Its Egg Ribbon in Lembeh Strait
The Tri-lobed Ceratosoma, or Ribbon Nudibranch, is a visually captivating marine species found in the Indo-Pacific. This salmon-pink slug exhibits unique egg-laying behavior, depositing a coiled ribbon while moving across the substrate. Filming these behaviors in Lembeh Strait requires patience, as natural movement is essential to capture these rare moments.
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Pilsbry’s Headshield Slug: The Black & White Sea Slug That’s Not a Nudibranch
The Pilsbry’s Headshield Slug, Tubulophilinopsis pilsbryi, is often misidentified as a nudibranch but belongs to the Cephalaspidea order. This carnivorous sea slug uses its broad head shield to hunt prey in sandy sediments. Found in the Indo-Pacific, it’s distinguished by its variable black and white coloration, making sightings rare and exciting.
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Gold-Crowned Sea Goddess
The Gold-crowned Sea Goddess (Felimare acriba) is a beautiful nudibranch characterized by its deep blue body, yellow lines, and a golden crown-like structure. Commonly located in the Caribbean, it thrives in shallow reefs and rocky areas. A notable sighting occurred off the coast of St. Vincent.