Marine Life / Nudibranchs

Goniobranchus verrieri

kingdom

Animalia

phylum

Mollusca

class

Gastropoda

order

Nudibranchia

family

Chromodorididae

genus

Goniobranchus

species

Goniobranchus verrieri

Goniobranchus verrieri is a dorid nudibranch in the family Chromodorididae, a group known for its bright colours and bold patterns.

It is easy to recognise by its clean white body with an orange-red line running around the edge of the mantle. The rhinophores and the gill plume on its back are red, which stand out sharply against the white.

Like other chromodorids, it feeds on sponges, and its bright colours are thought to warn predators that it tastes bad.

In the Philippines look for it crawling over reef and rubble in the open during the day. A dark background makes the white body and red details pop, so try a low angle with black water or shadow behind it, and watch your exposure so the white does not blow out.

It appears on page 123 of Nudibranchs of the Philippines.

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