Meet this week’s nudibranch feature from Two Fish DIvers Lembeh Strait: the ‘Desirable Flabellina’ (Coryphellina exoptata). This beautiful nudibranch is the most well known of all the flabellinas…and is also no longer a flabellina after being reclassified into the genus coryphellina. Enough of the pedantry though, this is one common name that appears to have stuck. Much like manta rays who no longer belong to the genus manta but are now part of the genus mobula this common name isn’t going anywhere!
Taxonomy is an ever-shifting, difficult science and many other changes will come as we continue to make DNA examinations. I think we can all agree on the name ‘desirable’ though, even if not flabellina; anyone with purple and white striped punk spikes and orange horns is extremely desirable indeed. This slug in particular is interesting because along with other similar species it feeds on hydroids and soft corals. It munches straight through their defence mechanism of stinging nematocysts and then, to add insult to injury, reutilizes them within its own body! All those appendages (cerata) are tipped with the stolen stinging cells of its prey so heed its bright colours and stay away. Note: the photographed individual above is less than a centimeter so you’re not in too much danger!
Such a well decorated slug fits the theme of this week well as the Two Fish Divers Lembeh resort has officially been Christmasified! Lights, tinsel and decorations are all up and we even removed the snake that tried to sleep under the Christmas tree (don’t worry, it wasn’t venomous…) As we enter the countdown for Christmas it’s worth remembering our special Christmas offers to bring some extra festive diving cheer to your holiday – find out more here!
Did you know that Lembeh is just a stone’s throw away from the Bunaken Marine Park? Why not combine Two Fish Divers Lembeh with a stay at Two Fish Divers Bunaken and combine two stunning Indonesian islands, muck diving and reef diving into one awesome trip?
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