Pyjama Nudibranch

Pyjama Nudibranch

Chromodoris quadricolor

This colourful little sea slug looks like it’s dressed for bedtime — long and narrow with bold black and white stripes running down its back, all trimmed with a glowing orange border. Its bright orange “feelers” (rhinophores) and frilly gills make it stand out even more. Easy to spot on reefs, it often hangs around sponges where it feeds and shows off its vibrant “pyjama” look.

• Size: Up to 50 mm
• Range: Red Sea and western Indian Ocean
• Habitat / Depth: Shallow coral reefs and rocky reef areas, from intertidal zones to approximately 30 m depth
• Diet: Primarily feeds on the red sponge Negombata magnifica, which contains the potent toxin latrunculin. The nudibranch stores this toxin for its own defense.