The diversity and beauty that exists on this planet is absolutely amazing. Take the nudibranch, a shell-less mollusk, or sea slug. The nudibranch has evolved many colour and shape variations in order to camouflage itself or warn potential predators that it is poisonous or otherwise unpleasant to eat. Depending on the species, size also ranges from the very teeny tiny of 20 mm (3/4 of an inch) up to 600 mm (about two feet).
And although nudibranchs can be found in reef habitats around the world, they can be difficult to locate, so we’ve gathered 20 exceptional photos for you to feast your eyes on. Take a look and we think you’ll agree that the unassuming ‘nudi’ (as they are so fondly referred to in online forums) are without a doubt some of the most colourful and charming critters in the world. But the wonders of the nudi don’t stop here; we encourage you to check out the websites of the photographers we’ve featured as they’ve got oodles of stunning nudibranch pictures for you to admire!
1. Ceratosoma amoena
Image: doug.deep
2. Pteraeolidia ianthina
Image: doug.deep
3. Nembrotha rosannulata (’Donut’ Nembrotha)
Image: richard ling
4. Noumea sulphurea
Image: doug.deep
5. Neodoris chrysoderma
Image: doug.deep
6. Phyllidiopsis fissurata
Image: richard ling
7. Chromodoris woodwardae
Image: doug.deep
8. Notodoris minor
Image: Boogies with fish
9. Chromodoris kuniei
Image: Boogies with fish
10. Chromodoris tinctoria
Image: doug.deep
11. Chromodoris annae
Image: Jens Petersen via WikiMedia Commons
12. Gymnodoris impudica
Image: doug.deep
13. Phyllidiopsis shirinae
Image: Boogies with fish
14. Flabellina iodinea (Spanish shawl)
Image: Magnus Kjærgaard via WikiMedia Commons
15. Phyllodesmium poindimiei
Image: doug.deep
16. Phyllidia varicosa (’Fried Egg’ nudibranch)
Image: jon hanson
17. Jorunna funebris (’Funeral Pyre’ nudibranch)
Images: alfonsator
We’ll end off the set with a few photos of nudibranchs hanging out together … aren’t they cute?
18. Kubaryana feeding on clavelina
Image: Nick Hobgood via WikiMedia Commons
19. Hypselodoris bullockii
Image: Boogies with fish
20. Mexichromis multituberculata
Image: doug.deep
