PHYLUM: Mollusca
CLASS: Gastropoda
SPECIES: Triopha catalinae
COMMON NAME: Sea Clown Nudibranch
Like Hermissenda (critter #4), Triopha is a nudibranch. Triopha, however, belongs to a group called the dorids. Unlike the aeolids, which are cnidarian predators, dorids are known for eating sponges.
Triopha, though, is an atypical dorid. It's body shape is more like that of an aeolid than of a typical dorid. It also eats bryozoans instead of sponges.
Triopha catalinae's body is usually a translucent white with raised bumps, or tubercles, that are a deep, brilliant orange. The rhinophores and gills are tipped in this same orange color. Along the front, species of Triopha have an oral veil lined with more orange processes.
This species can grow to about 15cm. Like a number of other nudibranchs, it can crawl upside down along the surface of the water, using the surface tension to support itself. It can be found from Baja, north to Alaska, and also across the Pacific in Japan.