Species · GBIF taxon 5859547
Variable Neon Slug
Nembrotha kubaryanaAlso known as Dusky Nembrotha, Neon Nudibranch, Green-lined Nembrotha
These striking nudibranchs crawl across tropical Indo-Pacific reefs, flashing brilliant neon green and orange markings on a dark, velvety body to warn predators of their chemical defenses. They actively hunt colonial sea squirts, grazing on the tough tunics and absorbing toxic compounds to use for their own protection. When threatened, they can flex their bodies to swim away in a series of awkward, undulating loops.
MarineColorfulToxic
Licensed reference(c) Steve Childs, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
- diet
- Carnivorous (feeds on colonial ascidians)
- family
- Polyceridae
- threats
- Habitat destruction, ocean acidification, and warming seas
- life Span
- Up to 1 year
NE
Contains accumulated toxins from its diet; do not touch or ingest.
- Look closely at ascidians: These slugs are almost always found on or near their preferred food source, green sea squirts.
- Do not touch: Their delicate bodies are easily damaged, and handling can disrupt their protective mucus layer.
- Watch the gills: Observe the prominent, feathery gill plume on their back, which they can quickly retract if disturbed.