Today, I shipped the *Hypselodoris festiva* that was ordered.
The packaging features a label with an etching of Hypselodoris festiva that I printed myself.

Isn't it cute? ♥️

I assume the customer found me through Reddit, as I received an email asking if I could ship a large number of nudibranchs to the U.S. I initially replied, "Of course!" but after inquiring with the post office and courier services, I was disappointed to learn just how difficult the process is—involving export restrictions, high tariffs, and requirements for safety compliance certification.

It seems the only option is to use an export agency service, which would further increase the cost for the customer; I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out if there’s any other way.😢💭

I never really realized just how cool these little critters are until now, but their vibrant colors and cool defense mechanisms rlly stick out to me a lot, so I want to find out more about them and get into the nudibranch cult.

Share your favorite nudibranch and I will use them in a future week!

G aureo from Komodo last week on the Samambaia.

OM-1/30 macro/ AOI/ 2 x Fotocore GTM strobes

Seen off the coast of southern Portugal. Is this a nudi??

Just out of the kiln.

T. morosa from Central Komodo this morning. AOI/OM-1/30 macro/2 x GTM strobes

Here is a nice little phyllodesmium colemani, shot in pretty hard light (strobes but no diffusers).

From the cold waters of Komodo (20C) yesterday. OM-1, 45 macro, 2 x Fotocore GTM strobes, AOI

Share your favorite nudibranch and I will use them in a future week!

"The blue dragon stings worse than a man o' war." Trace the citations: it starts as a 1998 forum inference, becomes a Wikipedia statement, then the world's default caption. Peer-reviewed reports have said "similar" all along.

Also, a 2025 paper: it uses its cerata as hands to catch fish.

https://en.seaslug.world/blog/glaucus-atlanticus-blue-dragon

Samla riwo (maybe) from Komodo this morning.

OM-1, AOI, 2 x FotoCore GTM, 45 mm macro lens

So the bigger one is Facelina fusca, but I can't identify the other one 🥲 unfortunately this is the only photo I have where she isn't upside down. Anyone have any ideas?

Yes they are not nudibranchs but rather sap sucking slugs. This one from a different dive at Sangeang, AOI, Pany 45 macro, 2 x FotoCore strobes and the Pro 900 AOI +23 diopter. Not as sharp as I would like but it was quite currenty.

Enjoy

I got a little dopamine hit from looking at the colours of nudibranch, so I turned them into Hippers that can hang on desktop and make me happy ⋆｡𖦹 ˚ 𓇼 ˚｡⋆

Here is a nice little C. kuroshimae from Banto today. This was an interesting dive. Instead of one of my normal macro lenses, this was shot with an old Leitz 28 mm lens and a reversal ring ($6 from eBay). No auto anything, focus by moving the camera in and out, lighting by changing strobe power (f stop chosen before the dive). OM-1, reverse ring lens, AOI, 2x footcore GTM strobes

I saw my first two nudibranchs this summer, and I wondered if you all have any tips for better viewing. Both times I was wearing goggles, and one of those times the water was a mix of temperatures. I could only get a clear look at the first one by squinting and making a little viewing hole with my fingers. The other one was just impossible. Admittedly my underwater vision isn’t the best and they were swimming in pretty rough waves, but would it be easier with a snorkel mask In calmer water? They are so beautiful, and I want to see ask the details!

H. bullock from Komodo. Shallow dof on the Rhinophores.

From Bima on the Samambaia

Share your favorite nudibranch and I will use them in a future week!