Common name: Goniobranchus albopunctatus

General information

Goniobranchus albopunctatus, commonly known as the White-spotted Dorid, is a species of colorful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae. This species is appreciated by aquarists for its striking appearance, characterized by a white body with numerous small black spots and orange to red gills and rhinophores.

Care

White-spotted Dorids are not commonly kept in home aquariums due to their specialized dietary needs. They feed exclusively on certain sponges, which can be difficult to provide in captivity. If an aquarist decides to keep this nudibranch, they must ensure a consistent supply of the appropriate sponge species. The aquarium should also have a well-established live rock setup to mimic their natural habitat and provide hiding places.

Reproduction

Like many nudibranchs, Goniobranchus albopunctatus is a hermaphrodite, possessing both male and female reproductive organs. They can lay spiral ribbons of eggs, which hatch into free-swimming larvae before settling down and transforming into the adult form. Reproduction in captivity is rare due to the complexity of their lifecycle and the difficulty in providing the right conditions for larval development.

Habitat

Goniobranchus albopunctatus is found in the tropical Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea to South Africa and east to the central Pacific. They are benthic creatures, typically found on coral reefs or rocky substrates where their food sources, sponges, are abundant. They are usually observed at depths ranging from shallow waters to about 30 meters.