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| nudibranchs text index | photo index |
| Phylum Mollusca > Class Gastropoda > sea slugs > Order Nudibranchia |
| Fugly
nudibranch Actinocyclus sp. Family Actinocyclidae updated May 2020 Where seen? This large, lumpy and rather fugly nudibranch is rarely seen. The ones encountered were on coral rubble. It is possible that they are not all that rare and that these very well camouflaged nudibranchs are just overlooked? Features: 10-12cm long. Body tough and leathery. Gills short in a circle so they resemble a 'bubble'. The gills sit in a shallow cup or depression on the back of the body. The gills are actually branching, but appear smooth. Rhinophores stumpy. The entire animal is rather squat and unremarkable, well camouflaged against its surroundings in various colours of dull olive, brownish, yellowish. It produces some slime when handled. Previously all were considered one species A. japonicus. Currently two species are identified. A. verrucosus has a few but large low rounded bumps (called tubercles). A. papillatus has many large rounded turbercles. |
 Sentosa, May 04 |
 Stumpy rhinophores. |
 Stumpy gills that look like a bubble. |
| Sometimes mistaken for onch
slugs (Family Onchididae). Onchs don't have feathery gills on
their backs and are much flatter than this nudibranch. What do they eat? Sponges. Bill Rudman has drawings of the nudibranch showing its head and mouth and how it feeds. |
 Tuas, Feb 07 |
 Underside. Changi, Jun 16 |
| Fugly nudibranchs on Singapore shores |
On wildsingapore
flickr
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| Other sightings on Singapore shores |
 Big Sisters Island, May 13 Photo shared by Marcus Ng on flickr. |
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