Nudies

Nudibranchs (NEW-dih-bronk) are basically sea slugs. The word ‘slug’ often makes people thinks of yucky slimy creature. They are gastropods like snails only they lack the shells (think ‘siput babi’ without the ‘siput’). However, the sea slugs or nudibranchs are one of the most beautiful and colourful creature of the ocean. During their larval stage (when they were babies), they did have their shell but it disappear during metamorphosis (when they change into adult).

There are about 3,000 (and counting) different kind of nudies (as I like to call them) in the world and each species are vibrantly rich in colour and has fantastic colour pattern. The name nudibranch means “naked gills” : their secondary gills are exposed outside their bodies. They have a pair of tentacles called rhinophores at the front. This they use mainly to sense chemicals (macam mata la kunun).

Like any other gastropod (‘siput’) they are slow moving. They have soft bodies and as mentioned no external shells to protect them. So how do they protect themselves from predators? Well, nudies are toxic and bad tasting and their bright coloured bodies are actually a warning sign to predators.

They can be found in nearly all reef habitats. Just look for their favourite food and you might be able to see them. These pretty little creatures are carnivorous. They feed on sponges, algae, bryozoans, anemone, and corals. Sometimes they can be cannibalistic too, feeding on other nudies.

Nudies are hermaphrodite (both male and female at the same time). They can mate with any other adult of their species. They also have varied life span. Some can live only 1 month and some can live up to a year.

If you want to take nudies home with you, take a picture! Don’t put them in a plastic bag and take them away. They will lose their shape and colour very fast. Plus they cannot survive aquarium life.

So next time you go snorkeling or diving, remember to keep a look out for these tiny critters.

Interesting fact: Some nudibranchs are solar-powered, storing algae in their outer tissues and living off the sugars produced by the algae’s photosynthesis.


Happy looking
~Salha~