Encyclopedia

Painted ElysiaThuridilla Picta A little ribbon of emerald, violet and rose, Thuridilla Picta is covered in fine lines that run along its body like brushstrokes on silk. Its folded side lobes curl elegantly around the back, edged with flashes of color that make this tiny sap-sucker look far more elaborate than its modest size suggests. Size: Up to 16 mm Range: Atlantic Ocean; including Bermuda, the Bahamas, Caribbean waters, the Gulf of Mexico and the western Atlantic coast Habitat / Depth: Shallow coastal waters, found on submerged vegetation and other benthic growth, typically from 0–3 m Diet: Feeds on algae...

Lined NembrothaNembrotha Lineolata Fine brown lines run lengthwise across this creamy-white nudibranch, giving its back the look of delicate inkwork. Blue and purple accents sharpen the edges, while bright red-orange rhinophores and feathery gills add a flash of color to an otherwise wonderfully understated pattern. Size: Up to 60 mm Range: Indo-Pacific; from East Africa and the Indian Ocean to Australia, Japan, Fiji and the Philippines Habitat / Depth: Coral reefs and rocky outcrops, typically found at depths of 12–30 m Diet: Feeds primarily on sea squirts (tunicates), including Clavelina, Rhopalaea and Oxycorynia species Photo by my friend Simon Richardson...

Florida Regal DorisFelimare Picta A long, elegant nudibranch in deep blue and electric yellow, with fine golden lines running across its back and a pale blue and white edge tracing the mantle. Yellow-tipped rhinophores rise at the front, matched by a feathery crown of gills at the rear, giving its streamlined body a striking flash of color against the seafloor. Size: Up to around 64 mm Range: Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; from the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico to the eastern Atlantic, including the Azores, Canary Islands and Iberian Peninsula Habitat / Depth: Rocky reefs, walls and sponge-rich...

Diamondback TritoniaTritonia Festiva A tiny work of living geometry, this tritonia is painted in creamy whites, soft pinks and warm sienna, with a striking diamond-like pattern running across its back. Delicate feathery gills rise like little flames along its sides, while fine white tendrils fringe the body and give the whole animal an almost lace-like finish. Size: Typically around 20 mm, but can reach up to 70 mm Range: North Pacific; from Alaska along the west coast of North America to Baja California, as well as Japan Habitat / Depth: Rocky coastal habitats and coral-rich areas, from the intertidal zone...

Hypselodoris ApolegmaHypselodoris Apolegma A soft lavender body is edged in vivid purple, with warm yellow-orange gathering around the rhinophores and the feathery gills at the rear. Darker violet markings run along the back, breaking up the pale color without overwhelming it, while the broad mantle gives the whole nudibranch a graceful, slightly ruffled silhouette. It has the kind of color combination that looks almost confectionery, but on a reef it feels surprisingly bold. Size: Up to around 70 mm Range: Western Pacific; recorded from the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and parts of Papua New Guinea Habitat / Depth: Coral reefs and...

Chromodoris Reticulata A broad red-and-white nudibranch covered in a dense network of tiny markings, this one looks almost like it has been wrapped in lace. The crimson pattern breaks into countless pale islands across its back, while a clean white margin follows the ruffled edge of the mantle. Orange-brown rhinophores rise from the front and a soft fan of gills opens at the rear, giving the whole animal a surprisingly delicate finish despite its bold coloring. Size: Up to around 60 mm Range: Indo-West Pacific; from Indonesia and the Philippines through Japan and eastward to Tonga Habitat / Depth: Shallow...