Inkspot nudibranch

The inkspot nudibranch, Ceratosoma ingozi, is a species of colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae.

Distribution

This species has so far only been found around the marine [heterobranch">marine (ocean)">marine [heterobranch gastropods of South Africa|southern African] coast from the Cape Peninsula to Port Elizabeth in 15–108 m of water. It is probably endemic.

Description

The length of this marine species attains 80 mm.
The inkspot nudibranch is a deep-bodied dorid with a smooth skin and bluish-edged purple spots. It has creamy gills and rhinophores. Its body colour varies from a creamy yellow through pinks to purples. It may reach a total length of 80 mm.

Distinguishing features

It is bright orange in color with distinct, darker spots edged in blue, varying from dark red to black or brown. The body is club-shaped with a dorsal frill. When in water, creamy rhinophores and a dorsal gill rosette are visible. Its color is bright orange with distinct bluish edged darker spots ranging in colour from dark red to black or brown.

Ecology

This species feeds on sponges. Its egg ribbon is a stiff collar of large yellow-orange eggs.