Rufus Tipped Nudibranch (Acanthodoris nanaimoensis)

Description: The rufus tipped nudibranch is white or off-white in color with tiny yellow tipped projections (papillae). On some individuals, but not all, there is a yellow ring around the edge of its body. The two rhinophores on the front of its body and the ring of gills on the back are all tipped in red or brown. The ring of red/brown gills give it its other name of wine-plumed spiny dorid. They get up to 3 cm long. There is also a dark morph of this nudibranch that is a darker gray color.

Habitat: Rufus tipped nudibranchs are found on rocks from Alaska through California but are less common in the southern part of that range. They are typically found in the low intertidal to subtidal zones, down to 10 m.

Diet: These nudibranchs are known to feed on sea squirts and bryozoans.

Tide Pool Tidbits:

• If handled, they may let off a smell similar to cedar or sandalwood. These are fragile creatures, though, so we do not suggest picking them up as it may harm the nudibranch.

References: Walla Walla University, UCSC Long Marine Lab