The nudibranch is a favorite species of the sea here at Scuba.com, particularly for the endless colors and shapes they flaunt in all oceans of the world, from shallow reefs of the tropics to the frigid depths of the Arctic. There are more than 3,000 species of nudibranchs known to science, with more continuously being discovered as our scope of the ocean environment expands. While there’s no way we could possibly present all the known nudibranchs to you in a single post, we have no problem gushing about five of our favorites right here, right now!
Spanish Dancer
It may be everyone else’s favorite too, but can you blame us for being enamored with Hexabranchus sanguineus, commonly known as the Spanish dancer? Not only are the colors of this incredible nudibranch vibrant, the way it swims through the water column, beating the wide edges of its mantle like wings to resemble the bustling skirts of its namesake — truly extraordinary!
Hooded Nudibranch
The hooded nudibranch, or Melibe leonina, is an incredible species that also goes by the moniker ‘lion’s mane nudibranch’ for the huge oral hood with sensory tentacle fringe that sits prominently atop its head, looking somewhat similar to a Venus flytrap. The hood plays a crucial role in hunting for this predatory species, expanding up to twice its size as the nudibranch thrusts it out towards prey and snaps it shut to digest its meal.
White Lined Dirona
Dirona albolineata, or white lined dirona, is visually stunning with its translucent body adorned with broad petal-like formations, called cerata, swaying in the ocean currents. The bright white linings on each cerata make this nudibranch shimmer as it moseys along the substrate. Another species of Dirona has the same features but in a dazzling orange.
Shaggy Mouse
True to its name, Aeolidia papillosa goes by ‘shaggy mouse’ or ‘shag carpet’ and is a shaggy nudibranch indeed. Covered with many small cerata, this species varies in color depending on which sea anemone it primarily feeds. The shaggy mouse can actually disarm its prey anemones by excreting a different mucus composition that prevents the anemone from discharging its defense nematocysts.
Blue Angel
Besides its stunning physiologial makeup, we have to give it up to Glaucus atlanticus, also known as the blue angel, for the fact that it feeds almost exclusively on the Portuguese Man-o-War, a highly venomous species that can cause grave injury to humans who bumble into its path. However, the downside to consuming all that venom is that it makes the blue angel highly venomous in turn, so keep your fingers to yourself when you see this blue beauty!
