Black-margined Nudibranch
Doriprismatica atromarginata
Variable neon slug
Nembrotha kubaryana
About
This nudibranch, a soft-bodied sea slug without a shell, wears its warning colours boldly rather than hiding. Growing up to 6 cm, it borrows a chemical weapon straight from its prey and turns it into its own defence.
Also known as: dusky nembrotha, nembrotha kubaryana, nembrotha kubaryana bergh, 1877, trance wrinkle dorid
- Length
- 6 cm
How to tell it apart
This species is easily confused with another sea slug, Nembrotha cristata. The mark to check is the foot: this species has a vivid red-orange border along the edge of its foot, which the similar species lacks.
Appearance
This is a large, dark-bodied nudibranch. It carries either green stripes running along its body or raised green spots, and the edge of its foot and head is a vivid red-orange. Its rhinophores, the paired sensory horns on its head, and its feathery gills near the tail can be red or green.
Did you know?
This sea slug feeds on ascidians, sea squirts, and takes the toxins from its prey without being harmed. It stores them in its own tissue, then releases them in a slimy defensive mucus if something tries to attack it.
Log it in Into the Blue
Describe what you saw and we name it, then keep every species you find in your Oceandex.
