A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Nembrotha kubaryana
This nudibranch can reach a length of more than 12cm. Its large, dark body may have green stripes running down the length of the body, and/or green spots. The tail-end of the body may also have a red-orange marking. The margin of the foot and head is a vivid red-orange. The rhinophores and gills are usually red or green. N. kubaryana is easily confused with a similar species, N. cristata, although the latter has no red-orange border on its foot. This sea slug feeds on ascidians, including Sigillina signifera. It uses the toxins from its prey to defend itself against predators. It stores the ascidian's toxins in its tissues and then releases them in a slimy defensive mucus when alarmed.
Found singly or in pairs on coral reefs across the Indo-Pacific region.
Photos taken at a depth of 21.5m during a day dive at Coral Gardens, Talikud Island. It measured about 3.5cm long when stretched out.
8 Comments
Beauty !
Thanks, Yasser and freelancing!
Unbelievable. Another jaw-dropping beauty Blogie.
Beautiful specimen. After buying some live rock from Tonga & Fiji to put in my tank a few years ago, I had a couple of nudibranchs appear out of nowhere. Very ornate body shape like this one, but almost completely white. Fascinating creatures.
That's right, ForestDragon. :)
Simply amazing photos! Nudibranchs are so cool. They come in an amazing array of color and shape. Fascinating creatures!
Thanks, Nicholas4! :)
Just breath breathtakingly spectacular!!