Triopha catalinae
4cm
0-17m
78 sites
Polyceridae
Imagine a tiny, vibrant clown has taken up residence on the seafloor! That's essentially what you're seeing when you spot a Clown Dorid (Triopha catalinae), a nudibranch that's more colourful than its name suggests. These small sea slugs, typically around 4cm but occasionally reaching 7cm, are benthic dwellers, meaning they're usually found crawling along rocks, kelp, and other surfaces. While they aren't particularly common, encountering one is a treat for any observant diver or snorkeller exploring the Eastern Pacific. Because they live in shallow waters, from the surface down to about 17m, snorkelers have a chance of observing them too. Clown Dorids don't actively hunt for food as adults, making them one of the few nudibranchs that don't eat anything!
The Clown Dorid is easily recognizable by its vibrant colouration. Its body is typically a translucent white or cream colour, adorned with bright orange or yellow tubercles (wart-like bumps) covering its back and sides. A distinctive feature is the row of branched gills, usually white, located at the posterior end. Look for a pair of rhinophores, sensory antenna-like structures, on its head that match the body colour. The combination of the bright tubercles and branched gills makes it difficult to mistake for any other nudibranch in its range.
406 sites
