Sea Slug Identification Guide

Identify a sea slug from its colour, pattern, body shape, rhinophores, gills and other features.

Identify a Sea Slug

Explore our growing collection of verified nudibranch and sea slug records, with photographs and practical identification details from the MacroDivers collection. New records will be added as the guide develops.

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Identification Basics

These guides explain the practical features we use when identifying sea slugs and organising records in the MacroDivers identification guide.

How to Identify Nudibranchs & Sea Slugs

Practical tips for identifying nudibranchs and related sea slugs using body shape, colour, pattern, anatomy, food source, habitat and location.

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Nudibranch & Sea Slug Body Types

Understand the practical body-shape categories used in the MacroDivers identification guide, including oval, elongate, robust, with appendages, with visible shell and other.

Explore body types

Rhinophores

A visual guide to rhinophore shapes, from ringed and smooth to rolled, branched and pocket-like forms.

Study rhinophores

Nudibranch Gills

Understand external gill plumes, cerata, hidden gills and how these breathing structures help with identification.

Explore gill types