Swimming Nudibranch

Nudibranchs are the marine equivalent of a garden slug. However, unlike terrestrial slugs, nudibranchs can often be quite colorful and attractive. The largest of the Hawaiian nudibranchs is the Spanish dancer (Hexabranchus sanguineus) which can sometimes achieve a length of over one foot.

While most nudibranchs crawl across the substrate, the Spanish dancer, when alarmed, can swim through the water column by flexing and extending its body in an undulating fashion. In doing so, its extended mantle waves rhythmically much like a flamenco dancer's skirt!

"Looking to the Earth With Care"

Photo Copyright 2014 by Barry Fackler

That's the meaning of the species name, terramtuentis, for this nudibranch which was first identified in 1982.

gold lace nudibranch                     Halgerda terramtuentis

Tom Smith's nudibranch

Photo Copyright 2013 by Barry Fackler

Nudi Show

While photographing giant manta rays at Keauhou Bay, I happened upon two distinct species of nudibranchs during the course of the morning. The first was a Varicose Phyllidia (Phylidiella varicosa), a thick, robust slug which is sometimes referred to as a "fried egg nudibranch" due to its round yellow markings on an irregular white background.

Photos Copyright 2013 by Barry Fackler

Later, I found a small, pink-and-black Pustulose Phyllidia (Phylidiella pustulosa) slinking through some coral rubble appearing to be searching for cover.

Photos Copyright 2013 by Barry Fackler

I sometimes (maybe often) lament not being able to afford the expensive camera rigs the serious underwater photographers use. My equipment is just a compact "point-and-shoot" camera in a housing. However, those kits need to be set up specifically for macro or wide-angle prior to the dive. I would never have gotten photos of inch-long nudibranchs and mantas on the same dive with a "pro" kit. So, in a way, I have more flexibility and probably less frustration just taking underwater snapshots than trying to get on the cover of National Geographic.

Golden Slug

In addition to finding that shark last weekend, I also found this gold lace nudibranch (Halgerda terramtuentis) sliding on the wall of a lava tube.

Photos Copyright 2013 by Barry Fackler

It's always a nice surprise to find one of these colorful cousins of terrestrial slugs as they're not that common.

Varicose Phyllidia

Photo Copyright 2013 by Barry Fackler

Hawai'i is not blessed with many nudibranchs like some of the more temperate dive spots in the world. What nudis we do have aren't often seen. I photographed this varicose phyllidia (Phyllidia varicosa) this past Sunday in shallow water at Honounau.

Photo Copyright 2013 by Barry Fackler

This is commonly referred to as the fried egg nudibranch owing to its unique yellow and white markings.

Gold Lace Nudibranch Photos

Photo Copyright 2011 by Barry Fackler

A couple of weekends ago, I was fortunate enough to happen upon this beautiful Gold Lace Nudibranch (Halgerda terramtuentis) while poking around in the tight confines of a swim-through. Usually I have a hard time spotting nudis because they are so small and not particularly common.

Photo Copyright 2011 by Barry Fackler

I like these photos because the creature shows up so nicely against the backdrop of bright red encrusting sponge (Clathria sp.). Nudibranchs feed on sponges like these and incorporate sponge toxins into their own tissues, making them poisonous to would-be predators. Some authorities believe that the bright colors and patterns of nudibranchs are a signal that they are poisonous.

Photo Copyright 2011 by Barry Fackler

The term nudibranch comes from the Latin for naked gills. The bushy black-spotted projection on its back are the gills. The paired, black-spotted "horns" are sensory organs known as rhinophores.

Photo Copyright 2011 by Barry Fackler

Nudibranchs are the marine equivalent of terrestrial slugs but much nicer to look at.

Dendrodoris rubra

I found this attractive nudibranch in a small cave at Honaunau Bay which I poke into often. This critter was around 2.5 to 3 inches in length which is pretty large for a Hawaiian nudibranch. It was also pretty active, sliding along the cave floor at a pretty good clip for a slug. This is the first one I have ever seen although the guide books don't indicate that it is uncommon.

All photos Copyright 2011 by Barry Fackler

Spanish Dancer

Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler

Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler

For all my years of diving in Kona, I've never seen a Spanish Dancer nudibranch. I don't night dive very often and that's when they're most active. My luck changed, however, on an early morning dive earlier this month when I happened across a juvenile specimen in a small cave at Honaunau.

Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler

This was a small individual, only a couple inches in length, but very active. It was making its way to the back of the cave to escape the increasing sunlight.

Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler

This little creature allowed me plenty of time to take its photograph and I was happy with the images I got. In the past, this small cave has been the scene for encounters with sea turtles, ulua, a Whitetip Reef Shark and an assortment of interesting mollusks and crustaceans. It's a good place to check out.

Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler