Nudibranchs,SeaSlugs-Pleurobranchida,Nudibranchia-Doridina

Click on photo to enlarge. Scale line in photo equals 1cm unless otherwise specified.
* Species which are the most commonly encountered nudibranchs on the beach.

Corambidae

Turn Island, WA, subtidal, with eggs
Corambe steinbergae (Lance, 1962)
Cryptic Nudibranch or Steinberg's Corambe
intertidal to subtidal size to 17mm
northern Mexico to central Alaska
This species so resembles the bryozoan on which it
lives that it is very difficult to spot.
(previous name - Doridella steinbergi)

Order Nudibranchia - Suborder Doridina

Those in the order Nudibranchia are the true nudibranchs. The adult forms have a complete
absence of a shell and have externally exposed respiratory organs.

Ancula gibbosa (Risso, 1818)
Humped Ancula
subtidal to at least 27m size to 33mm
southern California to Alaska; north Atlantic; Meditteranean to northern Europe
This species may be plain in coloration, with white spots or with three orange stripes plus orange tips on the appendages.
(previous name - Ancula pacifica)

Gabriola Island, BC, intertidal (same specimen in wild and in container)
Acanthodoris hudsoni MacFarland, 1905
Hudson's Horned Dorid
intertidal to 25m southern California to southern Alaska size to 40mm
This is infrequently found intertidally. It is white with yellow tipped papillae, rhinophores and papillae. The edge of the body is also yellow. Looks very similar to Cadlina luteomarginata, but this species has tall, conical papillae and the Cadlina has short, stubby tubercles.

Low Point, WA, subtidal Anacortes, WA, photographed in an aquarium

Acanthodoris nanaimoensis O'Donoghue, 1921
Nanaimo Horned Dorid
intertidal to 25m southern California to central Alaska size to 40mm
It is occasionally found intertidally in the Pacific Northwest. The maroon tipped rhinophores and branchial plume are distinctive, although the amount of maroon can vary. This species has a gray color phase.

Waldron Island, WA, subtidal
Okenia vancouverensis
O'Donoghue, 1921
Vancouver Okenia
subtidal to 25m size to 18mm
northern WA to northern BC
This species is speckled white
with a broad body.

Whiskey Creek, OR, intertidal
Okenia rosacea (MacFarland, 1905)
Hopkin's Rose
intertidal to 6m size to 20mm
northern Mexico to southern Oregon
This species is only found in Oregon during extremely warm summers. It is very distinctive with long rose pink papillae.
(previous name - Hopkinsia rosacea)

Discodorididae

Oak Bay, WA, intertidal Green Point, WA, subtidal Port Angeles, WA, subtidal

Diaulula odonoghuei Steinberg, 1963
Spotted Leopard Dorid *
intertidal to 35m? northern California to Alaska; Sea of Japan size to 12.5cm
This species can be found intertidally at very low tides or subtidally if in protected bays. Search under rocks in tidepools. The color can be variable shades of brown or white with few or many solid spots which extend onto the mantle margin. This species was recently reinstated and is now separated from Diaulula sandiegensis.

Acanthodoris lutea MacFarland, 1925
Yellow Horned Dorid
subtidal size to 30mm
northern Mexico to southern BC
This species is typically a bright orange with yellow specks. If brought to the surface, it exhibits the strong odor of sandalwood.

Barkley Sound, BC, subtidal Blake Island, WA, subtidal

Onchidoris evincta (Millen, 2006)
low intertidal to 15m size to 16mm
central Oregon to southern Alaska
This is rarely found intertidally. The species is white. It has a crown of spicules at the tip of each tubercle which give it a fuzzy appearance from a distance.
(previous name - Adalaria evincta)

Netarts Bay, OR, intertidal
Acanthodoris rhodoceras Cockerell & Eliot, 1905
Black-Tipped Spiny Dorid
low intertidal to 18m northern Mexico to Netarts, Oregon size to 28mm
This species is rarely seen in its northern range, generally during very warm summer years. It is distinctly marked with black-tipped papillae and a black and yellow line around the base of the body. The rhinophores are tipped in reddish-brown to black.

Low Point, WA, subtidal Port Angeles, WA, subtidal

Doris odhneri (MacFarland, 1966)
Odhner's Dorid
intertidal to 50m southern California to northern Alaska size to 20cm
It is rare to find this species intertidally in the northwest. It is a very large species and may be white to creamy yellow. It has no dark markings.
(previous name - Archidoris odhneri)

Dorididae

Whiskey Creek Beach, WA, intertidal Bremerton, WA, intertidal Green Point, WA, subtidal

Doris montereyensis (Cooper, 1862)
Monterey Sea Lemon *
intertidal to 256m southern California to southern Alaska size to 15cm
This very common species is the yellow one most frequently found intertidally. It can reach 15cm but it is usually the smaller specimens found near shore. The color is usually yellow but can also be white or brownish. A varying number of black spots usually cover some of the irregularly sized tubercles. The spots are only on the tubercle. The gill is yellow.
(previous name - Archidoris montereyensis)

Rich Passage, WA, subtidal
Knoutsodonta jannae (Millen, 1987)
subtidal central California to central Alaska size to 15mm
This species is creamy white to pale yellow in the north and lemon yellow to orange in the south. The tubercles are rounded. It has a distinctive white gland on its rear.
(previous name - Adalaria jannae)

Aldisa tara Millen, 1985
King's Aldisa
subtidal, 4-24m south BC size to 27mm
This species is translucent white with dull white speckles. The tubercles have spicules which can contract and change the appearance from tuberculate to smooth.

Freshwater Bay, WA, subtidal Green Point, WA, subtidal Cutts Island, WA, subtidal
eating Stylissa stipitata

Geitodoris heathi (MacFarland, 1905)
Heath's Dorid
intertidal to 20m northern Mexico to central Alaska size to 43mm
It is rare to find this species intertidally in the northwest.
White to yellow with dark specks on dorsum.
(previous name - Discodoris heathi)

Barkley Sound, BC, subtidal Rich Passage, WA, subtidal

Onchidoris muricata (Müller, 1776)
Fuzzy Onchidoris
intertidal to 18m size to 18mm
southern California to northern Alaska; circumboreal - France to Russia and Greenland to Connecticut
This is occasionally found intertidally. It feeds on encrusting bryozoans and has numerous club-shaped tubercles.
(previous name - Doris muricata)

Galiano Island, BC, subtidal
Adalaria proxima (Alder & Hancock, 1954)
Tuberculate Dorid
shallow subtidal size to 20mm
southern BC to northern Alaska; circumboreal; Sea of Japan,Greenland to New England, Britain to Norway
This species is white with long tubercles which have a star-like pattern of spicules at their base. The tubercles are more pointy than round.
(previous names - Onchidoris proxima, Doris proxima)

Turn Island, WA, subtidal Green Point, WA, subtidal Anacortes, WA, intertidal

Limacia cockerelli (MacFarland, 1905)
Cockerell's Dorid
intertidal to 35m northern Mexico to southern Alaska size to 26mm
This species is sometimes seen intertidally. The bulbous red-orange tips on the papillae are distinctive.
(previous name - Laila cockerelli)

Polyceridae

Camano Island, WA, subtidal Seal Rock, Oregon, intertidal

Palio dubia (M. Sars, 1829)
Dubious Dorid
intertidal to subtidal size to 12mm
central Mexico to southern Alaska; Japan
This is infrequently found intertidally. It feeds on bryozoans coating the understory kelps and eelgrass.
(previous name - Polycera dubia)

both photos Barkley Sound, BC, subtidal
Polycera tricolor Robillard, 1971
Three-colored Dorid
subtidal to 60m size to 30mm
northern Mexico to southermost Alaska
This distinctive looking species lives only along exposed coastline
and not in protected waters such as the Salish Sea.

Barkley Sound, BC, subtidal Neah Bay, WA, subtidal

Aldisa cooperi Robilliard & Baba, 1972
Cooper's Aldisa
intertidal to 23m size to 25mm
northern California to southern Alaska; Japan
This is infrequently found intertidally. It may be lemon yellow to bright orange and has a row of black spots down the middle of
the back.
(previous name - Aldisa sanguinea cooperi)

Peltodoris nobilis (MacFarland, 1905)
Noble Sea Lemon
intertidal to 228m northern Mexico to central Alaska size to 25cm
This is usually only found intertidally on the outer coast. While it can attain a great size, it averages just 52mm. It may be yellow to orange and may have darker color patches. The color from the patches does not extend up the tubercles as they do on M. lentiginosa or D. montereyensis. The tubercles on this species are also larger than on M. lentiginosa, a very similar looking species. The gill is white. Left photo shows a specimen where the dark patch covered the entire dorsal surface. Not to be confused with Doris nobilis Odhner, 1907, an Atlantic species.
(previous name - Montereina nobilis, Anisodoris nobilis)

Aegires albopunctatus MacFarland, 1905
White-spotted Dorid
subtidal to 30m size to 23mm
northern Mexico to southernmost Alaska
This species feeds on calcareous sponges.
Dark spots decorate its white body.

Neptune State Park, OR, intertidal
Polycera atra MacFarland, 1905
Black Dorid or Sorcerer's Nudibranch
intertidal to 50m size to 22mm, can be up to 50mm
northern Mexico to central Washington
This species is usually only seen in its northern range during very warm summer years. It can be somewhat variable in color but is noted for the longitudinal black stripes along it's body and orange-yellow spots.

Actinocyclidae

all Rich Passage, WA, subtidal with eggs

Hallaxa chani Gosliner & Williams, 1975
Chan's Dorid
intertidal to shallow subtidal southern California to SE Alaska size to 30mm
This species is light gray to yellow with brown blotches down the center of the body. The body also exhibits tubercles which are more numerous near the margins.

Neah Bay, WA, subtidal Seal Rock, OR, tide pool

Triopha maculata MacFarland, 1905
Spotted Dorid
intertidal to at least 33m size usually 20-50mm, but up to 180mm
northern Mexico to Port Hardy, BC
This species is rarely seen in WA and BC. It seems to arrive only during extremely warm summers. It's color is variable and may be yellow, orange, red or brown. The body is covered with spots of white to pale blue. The frontal veil has many branched processes.
(synonym - Triopha grandis)

Hornby Island, BC, subtidal close-up of tubercles

Peltodoris lentiginosa (Millen, 1982)
Freckled Dorid
intertidal to 33m southern Oregon to central Alaska size to 18cm
This species is rare to find intertidally. It is white to pale yellow with darker patches scattered randomly over its back. The tubercles are small and the color from the dark patches extends up the tubercles.
This species has been in a bit of limbo and the genus has changed multiple times. At the moment it's back to Peltodoris.
(previous names - Anisodoris lentiginosa, Diaulula lentiginosa)

Triopha catalinae (Cooper, 1863)
Catalina Clown Dorid *
intertidal to 80m + northern Mexico to southeast Alaska size to 15cm
This species is more commonly found on the outer coast and western half of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It is less common in the Salish Sea The body may be translucent to opaque white. The rhinophores may be orange to reddish orange. The tubercles on the back of the body are knobby but not branched. This is an important difference between this species and T. modesta.
(synonym - Triopha carpenteri)

Whiskey Creek, OR, intertidal
Crimora coneja Er. Marcus, 1961
Rabbit Dorid
intertidal to at least 15m size to 23mm
southern California to southern Oregon
This is usually only seen at it's most northern range during very warm summer. Photo shows its eggs and the encrusting bryozoan it feeds upon.

Port Hardy, BC, intertidal
Cadlina modesta MacFarland, 1966
Modest Cadlina
intertidal to 50m size to 45mm
northern Mexico to southern Alaska
This is infrequently found interitidally. It is
pale in color with a series of yellow dots ringing
the dorsum. The rhinophores are usually yellow.

Cadlinidae

Howe Sound, BC, subtidal Neah Bay, WA, subtidal

Aldisa albomarginata Millen, 1985
White-lined Aldisa
subtidal, 9-20m north WA to south BC size to 27mm
This species has a greenish-white base color. Its dorsum exhibits scattered white spots and a white lined margin. The full range and depth of this species is not yet determined.

Acanthodoris atrogriseata
O'Donoghue, 1927
intertidal to 270m size to 27mm
This species is infrequently found intertidally. It may be white, golden, brown or almost black. The papillae are tipped in yellow. The rhinophores have white tips. This species was separated from A. pilosa, which is an Atlantic species. It is distinguished by longer rhinophores and pointed papillae rather than bumpy tubercles. Recent studies have also clarified differences between this species and A. brunnea. This species is more commonly found in the Pacific Northwest than A. brunnea.

Acanthodoris brunnea MacFarland, 1905
Brown Horned Dorid
intertidal to subtidal size to 20mm
southern California to southern BC
This species is infrequently found intertidally. The body is brown with blotches. It may have spots of black and white. The pointed papillae are whitish on the top half. It is similar to A. atrogriseata. It smells strongly of cedar when handled.

Low Point, WA, subtidal Anacortes, WA, in aquarium

Cadlina luteomarginata MacFarland, 1966
Yellow-edged Cadlina
intertidal to 45m northern Mexico to southern Alaska size to 45mm
This is infrequently found intertidally. It is white with a distinct yellow line rimming the dorsum. The stubby tubercles are tipped with yellow. Similar in appearance to Acanthodoris hudsoni. A recent genetic study has shown that there are at least 4 different species that look nearly identical. Further study is proceeding. It is yet unclear if they can be identified by external characteristics alone.

Barkley Sound, BC, subtidal Neah Bay, WA, subtidal Seal Rock, OR, intertidal

Diaulula sandiegensis (Cooper, 1863)
Ringed Dorid
subtidal to 35m northern Mexico to southern BC size to 12.5cm
This species is usually only found subtidally north of Oregon. The color may be white to yellow to brown. Its markings are dark rings which do not extend onto the mantle margin. This species was recently separated from the "spotted" form, Diaulula odonoghuei.

Diaphorodoris lirulatocauda Millen, 1985
Porcupine Dorid or Ridge-tailed Dorid
intertidal to subtidal size to 12mm
northern Mexico to southern Alaska
This species is infrequently found intertidally. It has very long rhinophores and papillae, and a long ridged tail. The body exhibits opaque white specks.

Barkley Sound, BC, subtidal
Loy thompsoni (Millen & Nybakken, 1991)
Thompson's Corambid
subtidal size to 6.5mm
southern California to central Alaska
This tiny species is hard to spot. It is flattened with a mottled brown and white dorsum. The ends are white.

Dendrodorididae

Cape Arago, OR, intertidal Whiskey Creek, OR, intertidal

Doriopsilla fulva (MacFarland, 1905)
White-spotted Dorid

intertidal to at least 20m southern California to southern Oregon size to ~40mm
This species is usually only found as far north as Oregon in very warm summer years. It is part of a species complex and it can be difficult to identify between them. It was previously considered synonymous with D. albopunctata. This species is usually pale yellow with white spots only at the apex of the tubercles. There are no white spots between the tubercles.
(previous name - Doriopsis fulva)

Triopha modesta Bergh, 1880
Modest Clown Dorid

intertidal to 80m size to 15cm
southern California to the Sea of Japan
This species was recently separated from T. catalinae. It is more common in the Pacific Northwest than T. catalinae, especially in the Salish Sea. The body may be translucent white to yellowish-white. The rhinophores and gills are orange. The tubercles on the back of the body are branched. It is sometimes found with a commensal scaleworm near its gills, or a parasitic copepod.

Pleurobranchidae

Freshwater Bay, WA, subtidal Barkley Sound, BC, subtidal Victoria, BC

Berthella chacei (J.Q. Burch, 1944)
California Sidegill
intertidal to 33m southern California to Alaska to Sea of Japan size to 5cm
It is rare to see this one intertidally in the northwest. It may be translucent white to brown. There is a white line outlining the dorsum and has a tuberculate surface. It has an internal shell. This species has been separated from Berthella california which is now a very southern species.
(previous name - Berthella californica)

Estero Bluffs State Park, CA, intertidal, and egg mass
Berthella strongi (MacFarland, 1966)
Strong's Sidegill
intertidal to at least 10m northern Mexico to southern BC size to 25mm
This is rarely seen, especially in the northern part of its range. It may be pale to dark yellow and has a smooth surface. There is no white line around the dorsum. It has an internal shell.
(previous name - Pleurobranchus strongi)

Freshwater Bay, WA, subtidal Slip Point, WA, intertidal Marrowstone Point, WA, intertidal

Rostanga pulchra MacFarland, 1905
Red Dorid
intertidal to 100m Chile; northern Mexico to southern Alaska size to 33mm
This is infrequently found intertidally. It can be tan to bright red and it blends
into the sponges upon which it feeds.

Oak Bay, WA, intertidal
Onchidoris bilamellata (Linnaeus, 1767)
Barnacle-Eating Nudibranch *
intertidal to 30m size to 20mm
northern Mexico to northern Alaska; circumboreal -
south to France, Connecticut and Japan
This is a common intertidal species and can be seen in large numbers in the spawning season. The white egg masses are often easier to spot than the nudibranch, which blends into its surroundings. The body color is pale cream, but often is heavily mottled with brown markings.
(previous name - Doris bilamellata)

Nudibranchs and other Sea Slugs

Order Pleurobranchida &

Order Nudibranchia - Suborder Doridina