Unknown Nudibranch (Cockerell's Dorid)

Tangfish · Post by **Tangfish** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 8:15 pm

Can anyone tell me what type of nudibranch this is? I came across it at Cove 2 today, just near the Honeybear. It was about 1.5cm long. I can't believe after all these dives at that site, I've never come across this beauty!

<a href="" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/199/4517 ... 054a_o.jpg" width="800" height="659" alt="Unknown Nudibranch"></a>

Tom Nic · Post by **Tom Nic** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 9:17 pm

I beleive that this is a beautiful little Cockerell's Dorid!

Grateful Diver · Post by **Grateful Diver** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 9:37 pm

Yup ... and in over 700 dives at Cove 2 I've never seen one at that site before ... great find!

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Tangfish · Post by **Tangfish** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 11:50 pm

Thanks for the info my fellow Fish ID classmate

I guess I am lucky. Y'know, I almost didn't even take a photo of it, because I wasn't sure of what it was at first glance. I didn't even realize it was a nudi till I got home and saw it on my computer.

John Rawlings · Post by **John Rawlings** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:59 am

Wow! Every now and then Cove 2 surprises me! Not often....just every now and then!

I think that the Cockerell's Dorid is one of the most beautiful Dorids there is with their bright orange and red colors. I've frequently see them in the San Juans, but have never seen them at Cove 2.

I seem to remember that Tom Nic recently took a shot of one at Three Tree, and I thought that was amazing as well.

- John

Tom Nic · Post by **Tom Nic** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:35 am

Calvin wrote:Thanks for the info my fellow Fish ID classmate

I guess I am lucky. Y'know, I almost didn't even take a photo of it, because I wasn't sure of what it was at first glance. I didn't even realize it was a nudi till I got home and saw it on my computer.

You are welcome Calvin! Wow... that seems like a long time ago that we were sitting in Brian's shop amidst the sawdust and plywood of a new opening, enjoying Janna and M&M's, wondering where the rest of the NW Diveclubbers that were supposed to be there had gone!

And so... when are you going to take the Invert ID class?

Or do you no longer take those classes once you are a DM?

I love your picture! (Warning! OK, here comes some talk straight out of the fine ID books recommended on this board... it could sound like I know what I'm talking about, which I don't, so I thought I'd at least give a warning.) The rhinophores and cerrata or branchial plumes are clearly visible in your pic, whereas on the one I saw they were not. It just looked like a cool little bundle of orange budded fluff!

The one I saw was very tiny, and according to Eastern Pacific Nudibranchs they only grow to 26mm. If I remember, this was an "accidental" picture for me, as I was shooting the sculpin. I saw the orange spot near it (I need to update my perscription mask!) but thought it was algae at first. I've never seen a picture of one that had the rhinophores and cerrata as visible as your shot. The one below that I found at Three Tree N is next to a tiny juvenile sculpin, so you can see how small it is.

Tangfish · Post by **Tangfish** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 12:45 pm

Tom Nic wrote:And so... when are you going to take the Invert ID class? Or do you no longer take those classes once you are a DM?

Actually Tom, I did end up doing the Invertebrate ID class w/ Janna last summer at the Seattle Aquarium. I just couldn't keep myself away from her M&M stash

Tom Nic · Post by **Tom Nic** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 12:54 pm

Calvin wrote:
Tom Nic wrote:And so... when are you going to take the Invert ID class? Or do you no longer take those classes once you are a DM?
Actually Tom, I did end up doing the Invertebrate ID class w/ Janna last summer at the Seattle Aquarium. I just couldn't keep myself away from her M&M stash

WooHoo! :wav:

My Mistake!

enchantmentdivi · Post by **enchantmentdivi** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 1:37 pm

Dove Cove 2 this morning--I looked long and hard for that little sucker but didn't find him. :( Despite that, it was an awesome dive--sun streaming down and even though there was tons of wind every where else, this site was pretty protected.

coachrenz · Post by **coachrenz** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 4:24 pm

HuskyChemist and I spotted this Clown Nudibranch Triopha catalinae at Norrander's Reef on Saturday. It was tucked way up in a crevice.

Sergeant Pepper · Post by **Sergeant Pepper** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 6:51 pm

Nice pics everyone. As I always say, I always miss the good ones. Maybe it's just that I don't yet have a camera... hmmmmm.

nwscubamom · Post by **nwscubamom** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 8:04 am

Ah yes, the old M&M's....Secret to education!!

Calvin wrote:
Tom Nic wrote:And so... when are you going to take the Invert ID class? Or do you no longer take those classes once you are a DM?
Actually Tom, I did end up doing the Invertebrate ID class w/ Janna last summer at the Seattle Aquarium. I just couldn't keep myself away from her M&M stash

jeff98208 · Post by **jeff98208** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 3:06 pm

nice find calven. that nudi made for a nice shot as well!

Northwest Dive Club

Unknown Nudibranch (Cockerell's Dorid)

Unknown Nudibranch (Cockerell's Dorid)

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