Mysterious pink nudibranch from New South Wales
January 27, 2005
From: Eliza Middleton
I was snorkelling today in about 1m of water at Fly Point in Nelsons Bay. On the rocky bottom amongst the seaweed I found a nudibranch I have never seen before. It had a small shell on it's back similar to that of a terrestrial snail (colouring), towards the end of the snail, that is not quite centered. It was then a pale pink in colour with a white outline. It was about 6 or 8cm long, it's skirt was large and I guess kind of flowy for want of a better word. It was one of the most beautiful nudi's I have ever seen. As luck would have it, no camera in sight, but if anyone could help me identify it I would be ever so grateful.
Thanks
Locality: Fly Point, Nelson Bay, Port Stephens, NSW, Australia
Depth: 1 metre. Length: 60 - 80 mm. 18 January 2005
rocky bottom with seaweed. Photographer: no photo (Damn!)
Eliza Middleton
scubadubadoo@hotmail.com
Dear Liza,
I can only guess without a photo, but your animal was probably Hydatina physis, which although a sea slug (opisthobranch) is not a nudibranch. Nudibranchs are a group of sea slugs in which the shell is completely lost except in the larval stages. Have a look at the Fact Sheet for Hydatina physis, and other attached messages, for further information.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
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