Nudibranch

[sismushi]

Hello!

I was wondering where I can go to see a nudibranch? and what exactly is a nudibranch does anyone know?

Thanks!

Katie

 

[ShakaZulu]

Naked-gill sea slugs. Largest of the five Orders of Opisthobranch gastropods. Lack shells, are carnivorous (feed on sessile invertebrates like sponges, sea fans, hydroids, corals... some are predaceous on other nudibranchs.). Lack predators by and large themselves due to unpalatability, toxicity, venom... mainly from recycled molecules via their prey. Considering their small size, often bizarre body shapes and dazzling coloration, it's no wonder nudibranchs are often unidentified by divers, aquarists and tide-poolers for what they are; marine snails that lack shells, just like their lowly terrestrial cousins found sliming around under rotting wood and vegetation. But most of us emote "oohs" and "aahhs" rather than "yecch" when we view these "butterflies of the sea".


http://www.scubapost.net/forums/Mr_...dora1125262005/labuf1125112620050073.jpg.html

http://www.scubapost.net/forums/Mr_...dora1125262005/labuf1125112620050125.jpg.html

http://www.scubapost.net/forums/Mr_...dora1125262005/labuf1125112620050138.jpg.html

http://www.scubapost.net/forums/Mr_...os/longpoint06182005/lp06182005_0056.jpg.html

There you go.........my buddies are good a spotting these.

 

[kjundvr]

Well if you are up for cold water diving then California coast is where you can see nudibranchs. We have more spicies than I can shake a stick at. Ranging in size from <1in to about a foot long and in all types of colors. I find that finding them out here is alot eaysier than finding them in the tropics. Here is a great link for some of the CA spicies.

http://www.calcoastdivers.com/ecology/id/nudibranchs.html

 

[maractwin]

In the Caribbean you won't see nudibranchs very often. In the South Pacific, particularly in rubble areas, they generally aren't too difficult to find. As most are fairly small, it may take a sharp eye until you know what to look for.

-Mark

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

In Puget Sound we have well over 100 species of nudibranchs ... click on my gallery to see a few examples ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[MarkH]

That's true, I've seen way more nudibranchs is cold water than in the tropics. Up here in the North Pacific, I've seen hundreds of them in a single dive. On one dive it's common to see 5 or 6 species.

 

[alcina]

Ningaloo - we have em on every site and on some sites you can find 10+ species without breaking a sweat.

Am currently updating the sea slug section of my site, but you can get a little feel on the link below