Leopard Nudibranch

Overview

The Leopard Nudibranch is a brightly colored marine gastropod belonging to the family Chromodorididae. Known scientifically as Goniobranchus leopardus, this striking sea slug features a distinct patterned body that easily catches the eye of underwater observers. It is native to tropical waters in the Indo-West Pacific region.

Distribution & habitat

This species has been documented across various parts of the Western Pacific and Indian oceans, with reported sightings spanning northwestern Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and the Solomon Islands.

Appearance

The upper body is characterized by an elongate shape featuring a prominent, skirt-like mantle that covers the foot. The central mantle surface displays a brownish hue marked with dark spots that are distinctly circled by white rings. Along the outer edge runs a crisp white margin bordered by a fine line of purple or electric blue. Its lamellate and contractile rhinophores typically feature a white base topped with blue or purple, occasionally displaying a longitudinal colored line. The branched gill structures show a whitish exterior paired with a golden internal surface.