Nudibranch in the Great Barrier Reef

Common Name: Nudibranch (the above picture is of a Tambja Morosa Nudibranch)

Family: Polyceridae

Sub Family: Nembrothinae

The word Nudibranch is made from two Latin words nudus = naked and an branchia = gills. All sea slugs have evolved from snails which have a shell. Nudibranch essentially means 'naked gills' and refers to the fact that in sea slugs the protective shell is lost and the gills are exposed. In many Nudibranchs, the gills can be quickly withdrawn into a gill pocket if they are in danger of being nibbled by a predator.

Nudibranch are a variety of Sea Slug, this family group includes Sea Hares and Spanish Dancers.  Sea Slugs have a wide variety of diets and most species are very specialised, eating only one or a few types of food.  Some such as the Sea Hares are herbivores, eating sea weeds.  Others such as the Nudibranchs are specialised carnivores, each species feeding on a particular food.

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