Nudibranchs are shell-less gastropods. They are some of the most bizarre-looking underwater animals found in our oceans. They can be challenging to find due to their small size and confusing patterns. Nudibranchs are slow-moving, delicate and lack a protective shell. Some are extremely distasteful and bright colors warn predators that they are toxic. Some even have the ability to ingest stinging cells and use them as a form of protection.
The best way to find sea slugs: Move slow! Search around sponges, hydroids, sea squirts, anemones, soft coral, rocks and reef ledges.
Train the eye: They can be challenging to find, I recommend tagging along with experienced divers that already have an eye for finding them.
Below are some of my favorite images of sea slugs. Photography by Shawn M Miller.
Chromodoris willani © Shawn Miller
Phestilla melanobranchis© Shawn Miller
Phyllidia varicosa© Shawn Miller
Roboasta gracillis© Shawn Miller
Chromodoris aureopurpurea© Shawn Miller
Aldisa albatrossae© Shawn Miller
Tritonospsilla alba© Shawn Miller
Phyllidia elegans© Shawn Miller
Gymnodoris nigrocolor – parasite© Shawn Miller
Chromodoris kuniei© Shawn Miller
Chromodoris annae© Shawn Miller
Chromodoris sp -space odyssey© Shawn Miller
Janolus sp© Shawn Miller
Noumea angstolutea© Shawn Miller
Chromodoris coi© Shawn Miller
Phyllidia coelestis© Shawn Miller
Flabellina rubrolineata© Shawn Miller
Glossodoris cruenta© Shawn Miller
Chromodoris annae -Ryukyu flare© Shawn Miller
Learn more about the beautiful sea slugs of Okinawa. Check out Dr. Bolland’s Website!
My Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands
This site is also designed to help people identify the beautiful animals of Okinawa, basically to serve as an online nature reference guide. If you would like to make a contribution to support my mission, please click on the donation link paypal.me/maketheswitch4nature
Your donations will help conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines. Thank you for your support, Shawn M Miller.
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