Nudibranch. Similan Island, Malaysia. July 2009.

Nudibranch Festival

  Borneo [Malaysia and Indonesia] - July 2009

Dear English-speaking readers, this page is an automatic translation of an article originally written in French. I apologise for any strange sentences and funny mistakes that may have resulted. If you read French, click on the French flag below to access the original, correct text: 


I belong to this category of divers who can stay for long minutes to be ecstatic about a nudibranch. These delicate little sea slugs abound in Mabul and Sipadan.

So called because of their gills, which are naked (the kind of small tuft at the back of the body), nudibranchs are the joy of macro photographers.

Nudibranch. Similan Island, Malaysia. July 2009.

Nudibranch. Similan Island, Malaysia. July 2009.

Nudibranch. Similan Island, Malaysia. July 2009.

The smallest nudis measure a few millimeters. The largest can reach ten centimeters.

Below, the hand of Kayo, one of the guides at Billabong Scubato give you an idea of the size of the most fleshy ones. During our last dive together in Mabul, she kept finding new slugs on dead coral debris, and bringing them to me when I was busy immortalizing others.

Nudibranch. Similan Island, Malaysia. July 2009.

When I spot one of these tiny creatures, I can't help but flash it from every angle, trying to capture every detail of their dress, whether it's adorned with ruffles, dread-locks or pustules, depending on the species.

Nudibranch. Similan Island, Malaysia. July 2009.


Nudibranch. Similan Island, Malaysia. July 2009.

Nudibranch. Similan Island, Malaysia. July 2009.

Nudibranch. Similan Island, Malaysia. July 2009.

Nudibranch. Similan Island, Malaysia. July 2009.

And then, there are also these other critters that are the flatworms.

They are often confused with nudis, as they like to display a dress with delicate and colorful patterns to ward off their predators. They are more difficult to grasp than nudibranchs. Thinner, more mobile, smaller.

Flat worm. Similan Island, Malaysia. July 2009.

Flat worm. Similan Island, Malaysia. July 2009.

A festival, I tell you!

😀

  Borneo [Malaysia and Indonesia] - July 2009

Share
Tweet
Share