White and Orange Tipped Nudibranch (Janolus fuscus)

Other Names: Janolus nudibranch, Candy corn nudibranch

Description: Nicknamed the candy corn nudibranch, this species is covered in cerata (tentacle-like structures) that have orange and white tips. Each cera has a translusent color and a brown stipe at its core. This species is relatively small, only growing to about 2.5cm long. Sometimes confused with the opalescent nudibranch, the white-and-orange-tipped nudibranch can be correctly identified by looking for cerata on the head of the nudibranch. Opalescent nudibranchs will not have cerata in front of their rhinophores (antenna) and will have a white and blue stripe down the center of their back. At Haystack Rock nudibranchs are typically found in the lower intertidal areas on the South side of the rock or in front of The Needles. The white-and-orange-tipped nudibranch is often found in the water and can even be seen swimming upside down.

Habitat: In North America, white-and-orange-tipped nudibranchs are found ranging from Alaska to Southern California in intertidal to subtital zones. This species is also found in the Western Pacific in the sea of Japan.

Diet: The white-and-orange-tipped nudibranch primarily eats bryozoans.

Tide Pool Tidbits:

• A study conducted in Oregon revealed that many white-and-orange-tipped nudibranchs are infected by a parasitic copepod called Ismaila belciki. Research shows that up to 80% of the population may be infected.

• The lifespan of a white-and-orange-tipped nudibranch is about 5 months.

Reference: Biodiversity of the Central Coast, Reproductive Ecology of the Northeastern Pacific Nudibranch: Janolus fuscus