In this relaxing episode of “Take a Minute”, we would like to introduce you to a pretty creature named Goniobranchus kuniei. This colourful little beauty is a dorid nudibranch, of the Chromodorididae family. The Order Nudibranchia of which this creature is part differs from other sea slugs. The name “Nudibranchia” is derived from the Latin word “Nudus” meaning naked, and the Greek word “Branchia” meaning lungs/gills. This describes the breathing organ that these creatures carry on their backs.
Where do you find Goniobranchus kuniei?
Goniobranchus kuniei is widely distributed in the central, and west Pacific regions. They like water that is of a temperature between 21°-27° C and can be found at depth of between 5m-40m. A pattern of blue spots with pale blue haloes on a creamy mantle, and a double border to the mantle of purple and blue let them stand out. They are known for raising and lowering the entire edge of their mantle in a smooth single motion, creating a bowl-like shape to the mantle and leaving its foot and oral tentacles exposed for a moment. There are two ways. Either, they just raise the anterior or posterior portion separately, or they move the whole mantle edge in a wave-like motion from front to back.
Take a minute with Goniobranchus kuniei flapping away
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Being closely related to the sea slug family, Nudibranchs are slow-moving creatures. They have millions of tiny hairs on the bottom of their fleshy “foot”. These help them maintain a good grip, whilst they move forward by expanding and contracting the muscles in their “foot”. In fact, some Nudibranchs can even swim, or propel themselves along, by muscular contraction of their “foot” in a flapping fashion, to escape from would-be predators.
Why are nudibranchs like Goniobranchus kuniei so colourful?
Being small, in the case of Goniobranchus kuniei up to around 5 centimetres, and being slow, Nudibranchs would be easy prey for any hungry predator on the reef. However, these creatures have come up with an ingenious solution to that problem. Goniobranchus kuniei feeds on sponges with a rasp-like tongue. These sponges contain toxins that the nudibranchs will store in their flesh, and can secrete through their mucus. This makes them either very distasteful or outright dangerous to eat. They advertise their chemical properties by their flamboyant appearance. Their bright flashy colours are a warning to would-be predators.
How do nudibranchs see the world?
Although most have some form of eyes in their heads, these mostly provide no other visuals than light and shade. However, they “see” their surroundings through chemical interpretation, which they pick up with two specialised organs on the top of their heads, named rhinophores. Since these are very important organs, the rhinophores of the Goniobranchus kuniei arise from slightly raised translucent pockets into which they can withdraw. All these aspects together, make these magical creatures the true chemical brothers of the ocean.
How do nudibranchs reproduce?
Like all members of the order of Nudibranchia, Goniobranchus kuniei are simultaneous hermaphrodites. During mating, these creatures engage in a “fencing match” with their penises, in order to induce one of them to act like a female. The one who is first to penetrate the body wall of the other will be the dominant male, whereas the other will assume the role of a female. After mating, the eggs will be deposited in a beautiful ribbon on a particular substrate, where the offspring can develop and hatch to start their pelagic larval stage. Eventually, they’ll find their way back to the reef, as well as their food, through chemical clues given off by the reef.
What an incredible, amazing and beautiful creature this is!
Do you want to see more nudis?
Here we go:
- Nudibranchs: Everybody’s darling
- Take a Minute to Relax XXIX: Nudibranchs
- Take a Minute VI: Shaun the Sheep (Costasiella kuroshimae)
- Take a Minute XXVI: Solar-powered Melibe (Melibe engeli)
- Take a Minute XIX: Moon-headed sidegill slug (Euselenops luniceps)
Ready to meet more ocean beauties and lovely weirdos of the sea?
Then watch the whole playlist on our YouTube channel or browse through the different clips on our designated page „Take a Minute“ on this website. Enjoy!
