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| nudibranchs text index | photo index |
| Phylum Mollusca > Class Gastropoda > sea slugs > Order Nudibranchia |
| Maroon cow
nudibranch Goniobranchus tumulifera Family Chromodorididae updated May 2025 Where seen? This small colourful nudibranch with a cow-like pattern is sometimes seen on our Northern shores. On coral rubble and rocky shores with sponges and encrusting animals. It was previously known as Chromodoris tumulifera. Features: 2-3cm. Body broad usually white with maroon spots. Edges of the body are orange with maroon spots. According to Bill Rudman, they have tiny glands around the edge of the mantle that secretes defensive substances to deter predators. Sometimes confused with the Black cow nudibranch also found in similar habitat. The Maroon cow nudibranch has white rhinophores and gills and maroon spots, while the Black cow nudibranch has orange rhinophores and gills and black spots. What does it eat? Members of the Family Chromodorididae absorb the toxic chemicals in their sponge food and incorporate these chemicals into the mantle glands on their backs where they repel predators. |
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| Maroon cow nudibranchs on Singapore shores |
On wildsingapore
flickr
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| Other sightings on Singapore shores |
 Goniobranchus cf. orientalis Changi Loyang, May 21 Photo shared by Jianlin LIu on facebook. |
 Changi, May 08 Photo shared by Toh Chay Hoon on her flickr. |
 Changi, Jan 20 Photo shared by Jianlin Liu on facebook. |
 Pulau Sekudu, Jul 15 Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his blog. |
 Pulau Sekudu, Jun 18 Photo shared by Jianlin Liu on facebook. |
 Chek Jawa, Dec 21 Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on facebook. |
 Pulau Sekudu, Jun 14 Photo shared by Marcus Ng on flickr. |
 Pulau Sekudu, Jun 14 |
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