Hopkins' Rose Nudibranch

ceratodoris rosacea

The Hopkins' Rose Nudibranch is a breathtakingly vibrant sea slug native to the rocky tide pools of the North American Pacific coast. Resembling a tiny, glowing pink flower, this sea slug captures the imagination of tide-poolers and marine biologists alike. Its intense rose-pink coloration and elegant form make it one of the most recognizable marine invertebrates in its range, serving as a brilliant example of specialized ecological adaptation. Despite its delicate, soft appearance, it is a hardy survivor in the turbulent and highly competitive intertidal zone.

Habitat: Found in rocky intertidal tide pools and shallow reefs along the Pacific coast, often clinging to the undersides of damp rocks.

Appearance

This small sea slug grows up to 3 centimeters in length and is covered in long, soft, tapering pink papillae that closely resemble flower petals or thick tentacles. Its entire body, including its sensory rhinophores and gills, is a uniform, brilliant shade of rose-pink, which helps it blend seamlessly with the pink bryozoan colonies it colonizes.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumMolluscaClassGastropodaOrderNudibranchiaFamilyGoniodorididaeGenusCeratodoris

Hopkins' Rose Nudibranch

Interesting facts

During warm-water ocean events like El Niño, these southern nudibranchs undergo massive population blooms and expand their range far northward into Oregon.

Their bright pink color serves as warning coloration (aposematism) to warn predators of their terrible taste and toxic chemicals.

They lay their eggs in beautiful, rose-pink, gelatinous ribbons that are coiled and glued directly onto rocky substrates near their food source.

Special abilities

It extracts defensive chemical compounds and pink pigments from its prey, incorporating them into its own body for color and toxicity.

It can shed its long, delicate papillae when threatened by a predator, leaving them behind as a distraction while it crawls away.

Uses specialized rhinophores on its head to detect chemical trails left by its preferred food source in the water.

Measurements & details

Length: 1-3 cm
Weight: 0.001-0.005 kg
Lifespan: 1 years
Clutch Size: 100-2000
Incubation: 10-20 days

Diet & Feeding

Feeds almost exclusively on rose-colored encrusting bryozoans, acquiring nourishment and its iconic pigmentation.

Primary Foods

Rosy Bryozoan

Foraging Method

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Ecological connections

hunts

Rosy Bryozoan

Integrispora alata

Feeds exclusively on this rosy encrusting bryozoan, acquiring both its nourishment and its striking pink pigment.

eaten by

California Aglaja

Navanax inermis

Preys upon various nudibranchs, including the Hopkins' Rose Nudibranch, in coastal tide pool ecosystems.

Traits

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Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Hopkins' Rose Nudibranch?

The easiest way to identify Hopkins' Rose Nudibranch is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Hopkins' Rose Nudibranch?

1-3 cm

How much does Hopkins' Rose Nudibranch weigh?

0.001-0.005 kg

How long does Hopkins' Rose Nudibranch live?

1 years

What does Hopkins' Rose Nudibranch eat?

Feeds almost exclusively on rose-colored encrusting bryozoans, acquiring nourishment and its iconic pigmentation.

Where is Hopkins' Rose Nudibranch usually found?

Found in rocky intertidal tide pools and shallow reefs along the Pacific coast, often clinging to the undersides of damp rocks.

How does Hopkins' Rose Nudibranch hunt?

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How many eggs does Hopkins' Rose Nudibranch lay?

100-2000