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August 31, 2024  |  By Matt Hamas

Red-Tipped Sea Goddess

Red-Tipped Sea Goddess Live

Red-Tipped Sea Goddess - iNaturalist

The impact of the red-tipped sea goddess within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is unknown

Although this is a beautiful nudibranch, it is probably not from the area it was photographed (Florida Keys). The majority of the red-tipped sea goddess sightings are from the Pacific Ocean. However, it is believed they made their way through the Panama Canal on the bottom of a boat or in a boat’s ballast tank. It is no coincidence many of the Atlantic Ocean sightings are in the general area of the Port of Miami. 

Purple Spotted Sea Goddess

According to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), the impact of the red-tipped sea goddess within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is unknown. The good news is that there is no obvious impact, despite the red-tipped sea goddess being locally abundant seasonally. I recall seeing groups of these nudibranchs in the summer months, but noticed they were not commonly seen the rest of the year. 

These nudibranchs are relatively easy to find. Like most nudibranchs, red-tipped sea goddesses live on the bottom, typically in less than fifty feet of water. These nudibranchs are on the larger size, growing to around three inches long. They are white with a red and yellow trim on their mantle. Red-tipped sea goddesses have red rhinophores and anal gills. 

Smooth Tooth Aeolis

These nudibranchs grow to around three inches long

Did you know?

  • There are more than 3000 species of nudibranchs!
  • Nudibranchs belong to the phylum Mollusca, meaning nudi’s are biologically similar to squids, octopuses, chitons, bivalves, and gastropods.
  • Red-tipped sea goddesses feed on sponges. 
  • In the 1800’s a professor studying nudibranchs found that two species of nudibranchs were able to use their mouths to make sounds, sounds that were audible to humans. It was not clear if the sounds were used for defense, mating, communication, or something else.
  • Nudibranchs lay eggs to reproduce. Some species will only lay one or two eggs. Other species will lay millions of eggs!
  • Nudibranchs do not live long. Some species live for mere weeks. Other species live for up to a year.
  • Nudibranchs will eat sponges, hydroids, tunicates, and even other members of their species!
  • All nudibranchs are sea slugs, but not all sea slugs are nudibranchs.
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Matt Hamas and Ben Ivers here. We are focused on fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of the environment. We endeavor to bring you a unique perspective of the wild. Our photos are being placed here for you to enjoy. Please feel free to download any of the photos for your personal use. We are currently seeking partners for printing and developing photos.

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