gold spotted nudibranch

Halgerda aurantiomaculata

Guardian: Rob Shaw

Most nudibranchs have two antennae called rhinopores (which are actually noses on stalks). If you look closely at this nudibranch it has very hairy noses where the hairs act to increase its sense of smell. It eats sponges and takes the toxins from the sponges and secretes it over its skin so as to be toxic to fish or other predators.

This species has a unique chemical (halgerdamine) whose properties are not known yet.