Nudibranch Species: List, Photos, and Habitats

Nudibranch species. Yes, you read that right.
If you haven’t heard of them, you might think it’s just a fancy term to sound like an experienced diver. But it’s not.

Nudibranch species are probably the flashiest critters in the ocean.

Here, you’ll finally discover what a nudibranch is and why nudibranch species are the reason thousands of divers can’t lift their heads out of the water without a macro camera in hand.

If you’re not a fan yet, this article will make you change your mind.

And maybe you’ve already seen photos of nudibranchs and thought, “What a cool creature! Where can I find it?”
Today, you’ll know.

Not only that, you’ll also learn the trick to spotting types of nudibranchs before anyone else.

Get ready.
Knowing nudibranch species changes the game:
The pace.
The way you look at the seafloor.
Even your next dive photo.

I promise you:
Here there’s not just data.
Here there’s experience.
Here there’s color.
Here are the nudibranch species that will make you want to dive, come back, and stay.

Yes.
This article is for you.

Are you going to read it… or let another diver find the nudibranch species you were after first?

1. What Is a Nudibranch?

Nudibranch species. Let’s dive right in.

They’re shell-less marine mollusks. Yep, sea snails that decided to ditch their house. No shell. Colorful. Flexible. Slow but steady movers. And tiny as they are, they’re an underwater showstopper.

The name isn’t a joke: it comes from Latin nudus, meaning “naked,” and Greek bránkhia, meaning “gills.” Literally, “gills exposed.”

And it makes perfect sense, because those gills, looking like fans or colorful fingers, are right there in plain sight.

But not all nudibranchs are the same.
The general classification divides them into three main groups: dorid, aeolid, and dendronotid.

• Dorids are the classic nudibranchs everyone imagines.
  They sport a rosette of gills on their backs, a little fan or feather right behind them, surrounding the anus.
  They usually have a wider, smoother body and sometimes “store” toxins for defense.
• Aeolids are longer and covered in many cerata.
  What are cerata? They’re extensions that look like antennae, acting as both gills and defense.
  Some cerata even have stinging cells stolen from their prey to use as shields.
  Think of them as tiny marine thieves armed with borrowed weapons.
• Dendronotids are the third big family.
  See those branch-like appendages along their bodies? That’s why they’re called dendronotids, dendro meaning “tree.”
  They’re spectacular, masters of camouflage among algae.

Unlike other mollusks that carry their shell everywhere, nudibranch species choose to show themselves as they are.
It makes them more vulnerable, but also way more spectacular.

Did you know there are over 3,000 nudibranch species?
From minimalist single-color nudibranchs to the mind-blowing rainbow nudibranchs, each is an explosion of impossible shapes and colors.

These creatures are tiny living works of art under the sea.
And don’t think they’re just pretty, they’re smart survivors with a defense résumé most would envy.

In this article, you’ll discover much more than what a nudibranch is.
You’ll meet their families, their tricks, and their colors.
Get ready to be amazed by the world of nudibranch species. 

2. Types and Species of Nudibranchs

Look, there are over 3,000 nudibranch species, thousands of shapes, colors, and secrets hidden in their skin.
They’re grouped into suborders, families, and genera, like different bands in the nudibranch club.

Here’s the VIP entry to this gang called Nudibranchia:

This isn’t a shopping list, it’s the foundation to understand these incredible naked, colorful animals.
If you want to play seriously with nudibranch species, you need to know where they come from and which tribe they belong to.

And this is just the beginning. The best is yet to come.

2.1. Famous Nudibranch Species

Rainbow Nudibranch (Dendronotus iris)

• Family: Dendronotidae
• Size: 10–30 cm
• Color: Translucent, white, orange, or red, with brightly colored cerata tips
• Habitat: North Pacific, from Alaska to Baja California
• Notes: Swims to escape predators; feeds on tube-dwelling anemones

Shaggy Mouse Nudibranch (Aeolidia loui)

• Family: Aeolidiidae
• Size: 5–10 cm
• Color: Gray, brown, or beige, with a “shaggy” look thanks to its cerata
• Habitat: Pacific coast, intertidal and subtidal zones
• Notes: Eats anemones and stores their nematocysts for defense

Alabaster Nudibranch (Dirona albolineata)

• Family: Dironidae
• Size: 1–18 cm
• Color: Translucent white, sometimes pink or yellow, with flat, pointed cerata
• Habitat: Northwest Pacific, seagrass meadows
• Notes: Lays eggs in “ramen-like” spirals; varied diet

Velvet Nudibranch (Melibe leonina)

• Family: Tethydidae
• Size: Up to 10 cm
• Color: Translucent with a velvety texture
• Habitat: Pacific coast, kelp forests, and seagrass meadows
• Notes: Uses an “oral hood” to catch prey; swims by undulating

2.2. Nudibranch Species of The Caribbean

Two-horned Nudibranch (Dendrodoris nigra)

It has a robust, flattened body with colors ranging from white to orange, black, and brown.

It camouflages in shallow waters and feeds on sponges.

Picture credit: Dendrodoris Nigra by Sylke Rohrlach.

Regal Sea Goddess Nudibranch (Felimare picta or Hypselodoris edenticulata)

This nudibranch features a dark blue body with golden lines and spots. Its anal gills form a striking crown of plumes.

Its bright colors signal its toxicity, and it can grow up to 10 cm, accumulating toxins from the sponges it consumes.

Gold-crowned Sea Goddess (Hypselodoris acriba or Felimare acriba)

With vibrant yellow coloration and blue and purple patterns, its anal gill crown is yellow-golden.

This nudibranch from the Chromodoridae family is known for its purple rhinophores and has a mantle edged with white frills. Its diet consists mainly of sponges.

Picture credit: Gold-crowned Sea Goddess, Felimare acriba, Bernard Picton.

Fringe-Back Nudibranch (Dondice occidentalis)

 It has a unique body structure with fringe-like projections along its back, enhancing its surface. Its color pattern varies among individuals.

This carnivorous nudibranch primarily feeds on jellyfish and other small marine organisms.

Picture credit: Dondice occidentalis, by Anne Dupont.

Black-spotted Nudibranch (Phyllidiopsis papilligera)

It has a white body with black spots of varying sizes. The body is somewhat flattened with papillae or small projections.

This nudibranch mainly feeds on sponges and other small marine organisms.

Picture credit: Black-spotted Nudibranch by Nhobgood Nick Hobgood.

Harlequin Blue Sea Goddess (Chromodoris clenchi)

Its body features violet spots and red lines, signaling its toxicity. It primarily feeds on sponges, from which it derives nutrients.

This nudibranch enjoys hiding under corals.

Picture credit: Harlequin blue Sea Goddess by Biodiversity Challenge Funds.

3. Where Do Nudibranch Species Live?

No sea can resist them.
From the North Pacific, where the colorful nudibranch species of the Pacific Northwest swim, to the warm waters of Cozumel, or the famous nudibranchs in Hawaii.
There’s hardly a corner between reefs and seagrass beds without a living jewel ready to be discovered.

California isn’t far behind, with its nudibranch species filling the seafloor with life and color.
Mediterranean? Caribbean? Yup, they’re there too.

These shell-less mollusks know how to adapt to all climates, although they prefer temperate waters and reefs packed with anemones and algae to enjoy their feast.

4. Anatomy and Life Cycle of Nudibranchs

Nudibranch species are nature’s perfect naked design.
They have sensory tentacles on their heads called rhinophores, which they use to smell and taste the world.
Their gills, in dorids, look like little feathers on their backs. In aeolids and dendronotids, those are the cerata, tiny branch-like or finger-like structures bursting with life and color.

And the Life Cycle?

They’re hermaphrodites.
They pair up, mate, and lay their eggs in gelatinous spirals attached to rocks or algae.
Then come the larvae, tiny veligers with shells, that float around and grow until they transform into adults.
Some skip the larval stage entirely and go straight to adult life.
From egg → larva → metamorphosis → spectacular adult.

A short journey, because they live briefly. But oh boy, do they leave a mark.

5. What Do Nudibranch Species Eat?

Nudibranch species don’t mess around, they’re carnivores.
They munch on sponges, anemones, hydroids, and even other nudibranchs.
Some are so picky they only eat one specific species. Total marine gourmet.

Defense? Here’s the magic.

Many nudibranch species steal venom from what they eat, store it, and then use it against their enemies. Others produce their own nudibranch poison.

They flaunt bright colors as a warning in the sea: “Hands off, I’m poisonous!” That’s called aposematism.

6. Tips for Photographing Nudibranch Species

Camera Settings:

• Aperture (f/): Go small, like f/16 or f/22. That way, everything, from the head to the rhinophores, comes out sharp.
• Shutter Speed: Fast, 1/125s or more, to freeze motion and balance ambient light.
• ISO: Keep it low, between 100 and 400, to avoid noise. Don’t be stingy with extra lights.
• Focus: Spot focus on the rhinophores (those sensory tentacles). If your camera allows, use manual focus or focus peaking.

Composition and Angle:

• Get your camera at the same level as the nudibranch species. Straight on and eye-level, can’t go wrong with that.
• Fill the frame, but without stressing or disturbing the animal. Respectful but close.
• Play with low perspectives or upward angles to isolate the star and add drama.

Lighting:

• External strobes are a must. They restore colors and reveal textures.
• Add diffusers to avoid harsh light and weird reflections.
• Use snoots to create black backgrounds and highlight details.
• Bring a focus light so your camera doesn’t lose the subject.

Techniques and Field Ethics:

• Move slowly. You don’t want to stir up sediment or scare your nudibranch species away.
• Don’t touch or reposition nudibranch species. They stress easily and can even die.
• Learn to spot their favorite habitats so you can find them with less effort.

Gear for Nudibranch Species Photographers

• Advanced Compact Cameras: Olympus TG-6 or TG-7, perfect for macro and beginners.
• DSLR and Mirrorless: Nikon D850, Canon 5D Mark IV, Sony A7, ideal if you want full control.
• Housings: Nauticam, Isotta, Hugyfot, or Ikelite, depending on your camera. Make sure they let you operate everything smoothly.
• Macro Lenses: 60mm for tight spaces, 100/105mm for comfortable distances and creamier backgrounds.
• Accessories: Wet diopters for super macro, extension tubes, and snoots for creative lighting.
• Lighting: Inon Z240 or Sea & Sea YS-D3 strobes, powerful video lights, and LED focus lights.
• Extras: Arms, trays, TTL converters for exposure control, and flat ports for macro.

Expert Advice

The best photographers of nudibranch species rely on top-notch lenses, solid housings, and powerful strobes.
The trick? Wet diopters to get even closer, snoots to control the light, and pure patience.

Advanced Techniques

• Black background to isolate the subject and add drama, use high shutter speed, small aperture, and snoots.
• Bright background to tell a story, open up the aperture and let in ambient light.
• Side lighting for textures, place strobes on the sides, never front-on.
• Backlighting for translucent tissues, put lights just behind or under the nudibranch species.
• Double strobe for even lighting, play with power and positioning.

7. FAQs about Nudibranchs

1. How many nudibranch species are there?
   There are over 3,000 nudibranch species around the world. Each one is like a little explosion of colors and unique shapes.
2. Why do nudibranch species have such bright colors?
   Their colors are not just pretty; they’re a neon sign for predators. They scream: “Don’t touch me, I’m toxic!” Some nudibranch species even fake this warning by imitating others.
3. What do nudibranch species eat?
   They feast on toxic animals like jellyfish and anemones. Even better, they recycle those toxins to defend themselves, turning their cerata into a chemical armor.
4. Do nudibranch species eat each other?
   Yep, some of them are cannibals. For instance, Roboastra luteolineata has no problem munching on its fellow nudibranch species.
5. How do nudibranch species reproduce?
   They’re simultaneous hermaphrodites. That means they have both male and female organs, and when they mate, both get pregnant, doubling the chances of having babies.
6. What are their eggs like?
   They lay gelatinous spirals that look like ballerina tutus. This not only protects the eggs but also makes them easier to spot.
7. Do nudibranch larvae have shells?
   Yes, during their larval stage, nudibranch species carry a tiny shell as a temporary armor before becoming shell-less adults.
8. Can nudibranch species see?
   Not really. They can only distinguish between light and darkness. But they’ve got rhinophores, those little “horns” on their heads, which work like chemical sensors to taste and smell the water.
9. Why are nudibranch species so attractive to photographers?
   Because they’re living mini masterpieces. Their colors, shapes, and movements make them perfect for jaw-dropping macro photography.
10. Where can nudibranch species be found?
    Everywhere! From icy waters to tropical seas, on reefs, seagrass beds, and even rocky bottoms where you’d least expect them.

Come discover the colorful and fascinating world of nudibranchs with Dressel Divers.

Diving with us in the Caribbean is more than just a dive; it’s an opportunity to enter an underwater universe full of life and color.

Don’t miss the chance to see these and other nudibranch species up close!