This little purple spotted sea goddess measures in at about an inch
This wild creature is a species of nudibranch called a “purple spotted sea goddess”. These ornate sea slugs are rarely seen by divers. This little guy measures in at about an inch. This particular species of nudibranch is only known to the Florida Keys, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, and Belize. The body coloration can vary slightly. In this photo, the spots are iridescent blue, but I’ve also seen them be purple on other individuals. At first, you can’t really see any purple on this nudibranch, but look closer. The tips of the rhinophores (the white stalks on its head) are purple. What are rhinophores? These are specialized organs that the nudibranch uses to detect certain dissolved chemicals.
I’ve only encountered this species of nudibranch a few times, but I’ve found the body color is typically dark brown with a white trim around the mantle. Colorful leopard-like spots are scattered across its body and can range from purple to blue. If you look across the top of its body you will see a white plume on its back. These are the nudibranchs anal gills, which allow it to breathe. In fact, the word “nudibranch” comes from the Latin “nudus” meaning “naked” and “brankhia” meaning “gills”.
Why are these creatures so colorful? Nudibranchs lose their shell during their larval phase, leaving them a vulnerable soft bodied marine gastropod. To protect themselves from predators, nudibranchs use toxins made in their body, and advertise this danger with bright warning colors. These wild colors are thought to be a warning to predators that this thing is unpleasant to eat.
Purple spotted sea goddesses live in shallow waters, generally less than 50 feet deep. I have spent many dives looking for these and other similar small colorful nudibranchs. You don’t get lucky every time, at least in the Florida Keys where I used to dive frequently. To find these tiny creatures you have to move slow. These nudibranchs also move slow, which makes for easy photography once you do locate one.
Garibaldi are unique to the California coast
Did You Know?
- Some nudibranchs are picky eaters and only eat one type of plant. So, look for these plants when diving, since they are easier to spot than a tiny nudibranch.
Photo Tip
- It is helpful to have a dive light to illuminate the crevices, overhangs, and caves that nudibranchs often explore.
- Move slowly, but get close when shooting photos. These are small, but beautiful, creatures.
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