Here’s another nudibranch for your consideration. This one is called Loch’s chromodoris (Chromodoris lochi), and is found throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific, ranging from East Africa through Indonesia to Fiji and Tonga. Like sea hares, this nudibranch is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, bearing both male and female reproductive structures at the same time. Apparently with this species of nudibranch, and perhaps others, something of a jousting contest ensues to determine which is the male in the encounter.
Like other nudibranchs, this species dines on sponges, and is able to incorporate the toxic compounds produced by the sponge into their own defense. A pretty nifty trick for a slug.
Today’s photo was taken at Coral Garden off Tavenui, Republic of Fiji with a Canon EF100 mm f/2.8 Macro USM on a Canon EOS 5D Mk. III in an Ikelite underwater housing. Lighting was provided by an Ikelite DS161 strobe set to eTTL mode. The exposure was set at 1/200 sec. at f/11 and ISO 1600.
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