General Description

Body shape slug-like with gill structures visible as a single cluster on back of the animal. Pattern includes shades or colours of yellow, orange, red, white and/or purple. Sometimes confused with Dendrodoris aurea, but that species is larger, has parallel sides, is more convex in shape, and is softer to touch. Animal up to 4 cm long.

Biology

This is a very common nudibranch species. There are many other species world-wide of dendrodoridid nudibranchs (family Dendrodorididae), most living in shallow water. They feed external to the body by discharging enzymes onto sponges and the resulting fluids are sucked in through the pharynx.

Habitat

Intertidal and shallow waters, often in association with a thin slimy encrusting sponge under rocks, to depth of 22 m.

Reefs

Sponge gardens

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Southern and eastern Australia.

Species Group

Nudibranchs and allies › Nudibranchs

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

4 cm

Diet

Carnivore

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Species Code

MoV 4793

Identify

• Nudibranchs and allies

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Not listed