Pteraeolidia ianthina

Steve Smith Dragon Circle A blue dragon nudibranch (Pteraeolidia ianthina) at Nambucca Reef, northern NSW.

John Paul Connor Nice

Steve Smith Thanks John!

Helmut Schierenberg Nice nudi :-) Nice colors . I´ve never seen yet

Steve Smith Thanks Helmut - quite common over here - you'll have to come for a trip :)

Helmut Schierenberg would rather do that but on the 16th of may I´m going to bali for one month

Christopher Thorn Pteraeolidia ianthina mating? Coron, 20 m, 50 mm.

Gary Cobb YES!

Kristin Anderson Mating Pteraeolidia ianthina | Lembeh 27 Feb 2013

Mark Farrer Jervis Bay 6mtrs approx 80mm long Pteraeolidia ianthina Blue Dragon

Timothy Nguyen A pair of Pteraeolidia ianthina(?) doing the dirty? ~10cm, 8m Lembeh

Orietta Rivolta Yes...http://www.nudipixel.net/species/pteraeolidia_ianthina/

Gary Cobb In response to the Pteraeolidia ianthina juvenile thread, here is a photo of an adult and juvenile. There is no "nose" between the oral tentacles.

Gary Cobb Plus only the very tip at the very top of the rhinophore is purple.

Jun Tags Pteraeolidia ianthina

Gary Cobb While we're on the subject of Pteraeolidia ianthina (Angas, 1864) here is a recent photo I took. Nicely posed animal!

Ashley Missen Very Nice

Gary Cobb Ash do you get this species down there?

Ashley Missen Haven't seen one down here - have seen them at Byron bay - but I don't think they like the cold water

Deb Aston I have seen a lot at Nelson Bay, NSW, only once seen a full size one, very impressive.

Ilan Lubitz Pteraeolidia Ianthina on a Black board. Anilao Philippines. Nikon D3X. 60mm. SB-105.

Sébastien Fobelets Pteraeolidia ianthina . Sogod Bay . Southern Leyte . Philippines.

Albert Hartono Pteraeolidia ianthina Mating & Kissing :) Pari island, thousand island, Jakarta, Indonesia

Ron Silver :-D

Stephen Williams Pteraeolidia ianthina Canon G12 Internal flash ISO 320 F 4.5 1/60 Botany Bay Sydney

Ron Silver :-D

Elodie Camprasse Hello Nudibranch Lovers! I am writing an article on nudibranchs in Vietnam and I'd like to be sure of the identification of species on the photos I am going to submit... Is this Pteraeolidia ianthina?

Marli Wakeling Yes

Elodie Camprasse Hello Nudibranch Lovers! I am writing an article on nudibranchs in Vietnam and I'd like to be sure of the identification of species on the photos I am going to submit... Is this Pteraeolidia ianthina?

Erwin Koehler Yes!

Elodie Camprasse ok! super!

Alex Tischenko Blue Dragon ( Pteraeolidia ianthina ) Pipeline, Nelson Bay Nikon P7000 f5 / 1/80 / ISO 100

Gary Cobb Here is Pteraeolidia ianthina (Angas, 1864) found on the Sunshine Coast Queensland.

Matthias Wildermuth Does the colour depends on the food source ?

Gary Cobb Yes Matt!

Steve Smith Dragon Circle A blue dragon nudibranch (Pteraeolidia ianthina) at Nambucca Reef, northern NSW.

Rogato Alessandro ottimo scatto

Steve Smith Thanks Rogato!

Ilan Lubitz Pteraeolidia Ianthina on a Black board. Anilao Philippines. Nikon D3X. 60mm. SB-105.

Galina Maslova Super

Ilan Lubitz Tnx Galina (y)

Pat Gunderson Nice shot!

Ilan Lubitz Tnx Pat =D

Ernst Andres Very nice shot :-)

Ilan Lubitz Tnx Ernst Andres =D

Malida Alcazar A nudibranch - Anilao, Philippines

Ron Silver Pteraeolidia ianthina

Malida Alcazar A nudibranch - Anilao, Philippines

Giorgio Cavallaro Uwp http://www.uwphotographers.net/2013/10/uwp-malida-alcazar.html

Ron Silver Pteraeolidia ianthina

Budi اسو Setiawan G12 F5,6 S1/80sec Iso320

Ron Silver Pteraeolidia ianthina

Sugeng Tirtono Seraya Secret Tulamben size 50-60 mm & 9 m. I not sure what kind of nudi this.

Lindz Warren It's Pteraeolidia ianthina (Angas, 1864)

Sugeng Tirtono Thank Lindz Warren

Lindz Warren sama sama

Norbert Binder Most likely, though not 100% sure because of the arrangement of the cerata, thought they are more branching out from a common origin. But can't think of anything closer than P.ianthina either.

Sugeng Tirtono Thanks Norbert Binder, that picture was taken in 2008.

Norbert Binder Great ! I found them in Lipah Bay and near Tulamben drop-off as well.

Ariane Dimitris like a blue dragon from Oahu

Loren Mariani Nudi - Camiguin Philippines

Deb Aston Looks like Pteraeolidia ianthina

Wendy Butvila Taken AWAS, Mabul Borneo. 10 m depth

Tine Kinn Kvamme Pteraeolidia ianthina

Mark Springs Nudibranch

Shane Siers Pteraeolidia ianthina.

Tan Pee Pheng Canon Powershot G9 with sea&sea YS110 Manual mode Location Kemasik Beach Malaysia

Ron Silver Blue Dragon, Pteraeolidia ianthina

Yutaka Takizawa Nice shot.....(^.^)

Tan Pee Pheng Thank you 😎

Stephen Williams Canon G12 Internal flash Bare Island Botany Bay Sydney

Ron Silver Pteraeolidia ianthina

IkeBe Ph Are those it's eggs? at least 100mm @ 20 ft Anilao, Batangas

Frank Wehner Ike - what do you mean with "those"?

IkeBe Ph I'm not sure if it just laid eggs or was eating some other nudi's eggs Frank Wehner.

Frank Wehner Ahhh -I understand. Think it's laying eggs.

Gary Cobb Pteraeolidia ianthina does not egg eggs. And yes I would say this animal is laying eggs. The look of the eggs matches the ones I have seen. This animal is laying its eggs from its right shoulder and crawls around in ever expanding circles in a counter clockwise direction.

IkeBe Ph Thank you for the info Gary Cobb.

Frank Wehner Thx for your detailed explanation, Gary Cobb - you describe exactely what I could observe at Lembeh Strait last year. :-)

Gary Cobb Glad to be of service!

Erwin Koehler the result is on your picture taken on 11 April 2009 at http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1034200469467

Frank Wehner Cool, Erwin Koehler!! :-))

IkeBe Ph :D right on Erwin Koehler!

Mark Farrer Merimbula Wharf 26/10/12 10mtrs of water approx 100mm long

Mark Farrer Im thinking Pteraeolidia ianthina?????

Ashley Missen Pteraeolidia ianthina Blue Dragon - yes that is correct Mark - Now who's on a roll

Mark Farrer I have my bible in front of me Ash

Ashley Missen Neville Coleman Encyclopeadia or Garb Gary Cobb's apps

Mark Farrer Neville Coleman encylopeadia mate

Ashley Missen Mark if you have an IPhone the Nudi apps by Gary are great

Gary Cobb Thank you Ash. Hoping real soon to get the code done for Android OS. You ID is correct.

John Sexton Gary, when do you expect the Android to be ready and is this app only for Oz nudis?

Gary Cobb I hope the code can be finished early 2013.

Ex Liao about 3cm long at 30ft in depth, punta engano...

Gary Cobb This is Pteraeolidia ianthina (Angas, 1864)

Ex Liao Thanks Gary..

Blogie Robillo P. ianthina has so many color forms, doesn't it?

Heng Tan Need advise on this species what name was it? Did look into nudibranch indo pacific, east pacific, australia NZ and Marine life from neville coleman. But still not in list.

Della Ross Flabellina?

Heng Tan To detail?? what type of Flabelina?

Franca Wermuth-Vezzoli I think it is a juvenile Pteraeolidia ianthina, what do others think?

Heng Tan or Pteraeolidia ianthina?

Blogie Robillo It would be very helpful if you could post a photo with a clear shot of the rhinophores and oral tentacles. And to echo what the page admins always say, pls indicate length of the nudi and depth of the sighting.

Erwin Koehler Franca got the answer, it is a juvenile Pteraeolidia ianthina

Heng Tan Thanks everyone!! just no detail of dept. But length is about 20mm very small, normally pteraeolidia are long in length. Picture was taken at 28C of temperature at Tioman Island, Malaysia.

Frank Wehner ID please (taken at Lembeh Strait, 5-10 m), Nudi is about 10 cm long.

Luke Ho Pteraeolidia ianthina

Frank Wehner Thx a lot, Luke! Looks this is same family as blue dragon is... Was not sure, but you confirm... ;-))

Gary Cobb Pteraeolidia ianthina (Angas, 1864)

Bernard Maglana

Gary Cobb Pteraeolidia ianthina (Angas, 1864)

Matthias Wildermuth Sydney shoredive Serpent Pteraeolidia

Gary Cobb Pteraeolidia ianthina (Angas, 1864)

Gary Cobb Nice shot!

Tan Pee Pheng Kemasik beach Canon G12 with sea&sea YS110 single strobe

Ron Silver Appears to be the aeolid nudibranch Pteraeolidia ianthina.

Malida Alcazar Ianthina - Anilao, Philippines

Ron Silver Pteraeolidia ianthina

Dietmar Meindl also at Kho Bon

Gary Cobb Pteraeolidia ianthina (Angas,1864)

Dietmar Meindl heute in Khao Lak, Breakfast Brant

Anja Brandes Here called Blue Dragon...Fabelina.........

Dietmar Meindl Tank you!!

Anja Brandes Sorry missing a " L" so Flabelina....

Orietta Rivolta Pteraeolidia ianthina Angas,1864

Gary Cobb You're almost correct Orietta...Pteraeolidia ianthina (Angas, 1864) you left the brackets off the author and date. The reason for the brackets is that after the original description done, it was proven that the Genus was wrong and was changed. Now brackets appear. Very important when showing Scientific names with authors and dates.

Orietta Rivolta Thanks Gary , I'm learning a lot from you!

Gary Cobb I am glad to help you Orietta!

Nick Missenden I think that is the case Matthias, here is one I took years ago on a little point and shoot I use to have. As you can see it is nearly glowing! If you see the juveniles they are almost always white here in Sydney.

Matthias Wildermuth Noticed that; thanks

Gary Cobb Yes juveniles are always white until they start eating then they turn different colours depending on what the colour of the food source is.

Gary Cobb Pteraeolidia ianthina (Angas, 1864) or as some say Blue Dragon! <--- common name, don't hold that against me.

Matthias Wildermuth very common in sydney

Nick Missenden Great photo Matt :)

Blanka Krellmann-Metz beautiful photo!

Matthias Wildermuth Thanks guys. Nick viz was 10m plus s

Gary Cobb This is a solar powered Pteraeolidia ianthina (Angas, 1864)

Orietta Rivolta Great shot,good!

Ilan Lubitz This is the Pteraeoliidia Ianthina during night swimming Anilao Pier Philippines. Nikon D3X. 60mm. SB-105

Ron Silver Pteraeolidia ianthina

Ella B. Lubitz Great Shot ;-)

Azhar Adnan Mabul Island

Stuart Pearce Beauty :)

Marie-therese Bertin super beau!!

Ron Silver Pteraeolidia ianthina

Azhar Adnan TQ Ron Silver

Arnico Lumangyao Cartalla "The Dragon is coming down"

Ron Silver Pteraeolidia ianthina

Stuart Pearce Nice shot :)

Sabine Van Durmen beautiful

Ernst Andres Great shot :-)

Ahmet Yay Nudy with eggs... Anilao, Canon 600D - Canon 60 mm - Sea&Sea housing and 2xYS-D1 strobes Subsee +10 Diopter - 1/125 - f:20 - Asa:100

Ron Silver Pteraeolidia ianthina

Antonio Colacino Thanks to share a world of knowledge :)

Iris Dielhenn nice pic! I find it so difficult to find a good angle of view with that one! :-)

Dennis Corpuz :D (y)

Stuart Pearce Beauty :)

Tom Hobock Excellent

Sabine Van Durmen beautiful

Ernst Andres WOOOW ! Great shot Ahmet (Y)

Malida Alcazar Nudi - Anilao, Philippines

Stuart Pearce Beauty :)

Yutaka Takizawa Very nice shot.....(^.^)

Ron Silver Pteraeolidia ianthina

Malida Alcazar Thank you Stuart, Yutaka, Ron Silver

Gary Cobb Species list from our 2 dives 29-03-2013 23 Species found at Ridges, Caloundra. Perfect no wind surface conditions, a bit a swell running, some surge, 26C water temp, 5m viz. 1st dive/2nd dive. *most species found this outing. Chromodoris splendida (AU) /4 Dermatobranchus cf. primus 1/1 Dermatobranchus ornatus 3/4 Doriprismatica atromarginata 1/1 Doto sp.1 /4 Flabellina rubrolineata 1/1 Glossodoris vespa (AU) 1/1 Hexabranchus sanguineus /1 Hypselodoris aff. maculosa 1 Hypselodoris jacksoni 3/2 *Hypselodoris obscura (AU) 6/6 Hypselodoris sagamiensis 1 Hypselodoris tryoni 2 Phyllidia coelestis 1 Phyllidia ocellata 1/1 Phyllidia varicosa 3 Phyllidiella lizae 2 Phyllidiella pustulosa 2 Phyllodesmium magnum 1/1 Pleurobranchus peronii /1 Pteraeolidia ianthina 1 Sagaminopteron ornatum 1/2 Trinchesia sibogae 5/3

David Kipling Anyone want to hazard an ID on this stunning little Aplysia? Taken a few days ago in the Northern Red Sea (~25m on companionway of the Carnatic). Fabulous camouflage ... the pink lumps perfectly match the coralline algae nearby, and the little tufts match other soft corals at the locale. My ID books do nudis but not sea hares :(

João Pedro Silva Petalifera ramosa, I guess.

David Kipling Cheers - sure looks like it. Stunning animal.

Tony Gilbert Yes, quite a catch David, nice capture. If you get chance to go back on the Carnatic, there is/was a small colony of what looks like Dendrophilla ramosa (orange treel coral), right up in the inside corner of the beginning of the bow section, where no one goes. It was there 3 years back when I last visited Carnatic, but had camera troubles. I think its quite rare in the Red Sea. Also, around there the dragon nudibranch Pteraeolidia ianthina seems to favour this are as well, we spotted 3 last time.

David Kipling Ah yes, Valeria (on our boat) gave us strict instructions not to go right into the bow (think she wasn't too keen on having to haul us out fin-first!). I also found another one of these critters just outside the blue hole at Dahab while batting away techie divers with twinsets and stage tanks ...

Tony Gilbert Yes, it is a bit tricky in the bow section, but it was right at the entrance to the (now) upper part (sbrd), at 20m, so not too much need to enter. Btw, I also saw two other specimens - on the Thistlegorm, one about 25m back from the propeller, and 10m up the hull. If you get the chance look it up. If it is Dendrophilla ramosa it isnt recorded in the popular marine id books for Red Sea (Collins one plus others). Sadly I didnt get chance to get an image of them... maybe August.

Gary Cobb Thought I would post a better shot of my favourite Nudibranch. Hypselodoris babai Gosliner & Behrens, 2000 Here is a small movie... http://www.nudibranch.com.au/Hypselodoris%20babai.mov

Ken Thongpila That's good one Gary why you like this guy?

Gary Cobb The rarity of this species as well as the brilliant colouration!! We have only ever seen it once in 9 years. And she you first lay your eyes upon it you go WOW!

Ken Thongpila Wow! that's sound amazing..... OK this one is on the wish list now...

Ken Thongpila @Gary Cobb I came across with something and I just wonder is it true? Pteraeolidia Ianthina doesn't need to eat for a month?

Gary Cobb That is true Ken it uses the sun light in its cerata!

Ken Thongpila Wow! and that is one of the reasons, they are everywhere in the world !!!

Gary Cobb Probably so and they hoard their egg mass like protect it.

Scott White Sth Leyte any ID

Scott White Very small 10cm or so

Sven Kahlbrock could be a form off Flabellina bilas

Peter Fiechter I do only knwo the german Name: Purpurner Drache

Shane Siers Sorry, Peter Fiechter, what you're thinking of is Pteraeolidia ianthina, the "Dragon Nudibranch"...I agree with Sven, looks like Flabellina bilas.

Scott White Yeah I thought a type of flabellina,,

Scott White Oppps yes mm

Sven Kahlbrock Looks similar to F. bilas from the red sea, but much more light color

Kristen Soong One quick question. Does any Gymnodoris feeds on stinging nudibranchs like Pteraeolidia ianthina? Seen a juvenile Gymnodoris hitch hiking on a blue dragon before but am not sure if it's feeding on it. I have no camera with me that time so I can't take a picture.

Gary Cobb The only Nudibranch I have ever witnessed eating or should I say devouring a Pteraeolidia inanthina and Lomanotus veriformis is Godiva quadricolor found in the Pumicestone Passage, an import from Sth Africa.

Kristen Soong thanks gary

Gary Cobb Youre quite welcome!

Blogie Robillo Could this be a nudibranch egg spiral? (Less than a meter away, I spotted 5 Pteraeolidia ianthina.) Depth 5m @ Punk Rock dive site, Samal Island, Philippines.

Sylvie Omnès I do think those eggs are eolidian's spawn . most of the time, you'll find them on the hydroids they eat ... here's an example :https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/photo.php?fbid=3057390962425&set=oa.300877059963570&type=1&theater

Bunnee Gamboa-Santos The do look like the eggs of Pteraeolidia ianthina. I have seen them laying eggs before and they look like this spiral ribbon.

Blogie Robillo Thanks, Sylvie and Bunnee!

Matthias Wildermuth agree, very common in Sydney and saw them laying these kind of eggs

Blogie Robillo Pteraeolidia ianthina. Mutated? Take a look at the forked right-hand oral tentacle, and also the rhinophores seem to be fused at the base... Length abt 8cm; depth 5m @ Punk Rock dive site.

Gary Cobb Yes it is without doubt.

Blogie Robillo Pteraeolidia ianthina. Depth 5m, length abt 10cm; Bitung Beach, Samal, Philippines.

Blogie Robillo Pteraeolidia ianthina, 70mm, 13m deep. East Point dive site, Bgy. Tagpopongan

Jun V Lao ur on a roll Blogie :)

Blogie Robillo Aw hardly. I only have 40+ species in my nudi collection. But I'm going to go back to that dive site soon and add some more! ;)

Blogie Robillo Here's my not-yet-updated collection of nudis: www.scubadavao.com/2012/02/love-affair-with-nudibranchs/

Blogie Robillo Could anyone confirm if this is Pteraeolidia ianthina? It was spotted between 15 to 20m, length 10cm.

Sam Craven Yup, looks like it! They can be very variable with size and colour.

Blogie Robillo Thanks Sam! Had a great dive yesterday -- 3 or 4 new additions to my nudi collection! Still trying to identify them, though...

Thomas Philipp Pteraeolidia ianthina, Rinja/Indonesia

Missy Crouthers Stevens beautiful!

Chad Tamis 25 meters South Sulawesi, Indonesia. About 20cm apart.

Chad Tamis Would love an id if anyone has suggestions

Gary Cobb Pteraeolidia ianthina

Kati Burg ID help please. Small nudibranch (about 2 cm) found at 7 meters in Romblon Island, Philippines.

Leila CB <3

Gary Cobb This is a very juvenile Pteraeolidia ianthina

Blogie Robillo Could this be a nudibranch egg spiral? (Less than a meter away, I spotted 5 Pteraeolidia ianthina.) Depth 5m @ Punk Rock dive site, Samal Island, Philippines.

Sylvie Omnès I do think those eggs are eolidian's spawn . most of the time, you'll find them on the hydroids they eat ... here's an example :https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/photo.php?fbid=3057390962425&set=oa.300877059963570&type=1&theater

Bunnee Gamboa-Santos The do look like the eggs of Pteraeolidia ianthina. I have seen them laying eggs before and they look like this spiral ribbon.

Blogie Robillo Thanks, Sylvie and Bunnee!

Matthias Wildermuth agree, very common in Sydney and saw them laying these kind of eggs

Blogie Robillo Need help with ID... This nudi was about 5cm long, found on a coral wall in 12m of water. Gato Island dive site, 3 March 2012.

Deb Aston Pteraeolidia ianthina

Blogie Robillo Thanks again, Deb!!

Gary Cobb Pteraeolidia ianthina (Angas, 1864)

Evie Go

Gary Cobb Gymnodoris aurita (Gould, 1852)

Ashley Missen yep Red ones with spots

Evie Go Thx for ID Gary Cobb! ^_^

Gary Cobb Evie...any time!

Ashley Missen nice to see the egg mass in the Pic too

Evie Go Yes. Family Picture!

Gary Cobb ...not yet!

Gary Cobb ...the kids are not grown up yet!

Evie Go ahahahaha! It dsnt count? But there's life already, or am i wrong?

Gary Cobb ...who's to say and where is the proof!

Gary Cobb 3 adults and an egg mass...does a family require the same blood?

Gary Cobb ...who laid the eggs? Is the proof of this/

Gary Cobb Just because a nudibranch is resting beside an egg mass does not mean it laid them!

Evie Go ? isnt d egg mass fr d pair?

Gary Cobb How can we be sure? Is there a witness/

Evie Go so, u mean, d parents may & can abandon d eggs? They dnt watch it till it hatch? ( am i using d correct terms here? )

Gary Cobb Correct! Parents lay the eggs and do not watch over them in general. Pteraeolidia ianthina is one species that hords its eggs!

Gary Cobb The only way you can be sure a nudibranch belongs to an egg mass is to witness its laying them or proof from other observers

Evie Go oh... never knew that.. whenever i see egg mass w/ nudis beside them, i thought its theirs...

Evie Go oh..oh... this set was seen by another friend last week! If the nudis have been staying w/ d same egg mass..maybe it theirs?

Gary Cobb Not necessarily true Evie! Proof is a witness!

Gary Cobb ...sorry, yes it "might" be theirs!

Evie Go oh... but d nudis wont eat the eggs noh? Why are they always beside them then?

Gary Cobb Some nudibranch do eat eggs. (not their own)

Gary Cobb The only way to be sure if an egg mass is the nudibranch laying beside it is to see it actually laying them.

Ale Cere Alguien tiene idea de que nudi es este? Foto sacada en Filipinas :) I need help IDing this nudi! It comes from the Philippines :)

Jol Falcés Pteraeolidia ianthina (Blue dragon)

Jol Falcés It's a solar powered nudibranch. It eats photosynthetic algae and inside the nudibranch's digestive tract these solar-powered algae create sugars.

Ale Cere Muchas gracias Jol :)

Cesc Villasevil Flippppo!

Manja Below Richelieu Rock

Sven Kahlbrock Pteraeolidia ianthina