Anatomy of a Nudibranch

Nudibranchs have a very specific anatomy.  They are named for their naked gills, those frilly things that stick out of their butt are how they breathe.

The rhinophores are like little antennae.  They help the nudibranch by using chemoreceptors to find food and a mate.

It eats by using its velar appendage. 

Aeolids have special frilly tentatcles all over its body called cerata.  Often these cerata are brightly colored and filled with toxins.


Nudibranchs are hermaphrodites and have both male and female apparatus.

It mates with the genital aperature which are only located on the right hand side.

Now that we've covered the nudi anatomy, stay tuned for the Nudi Sex Talk!