Springbok Wrinkle Dorid

Meet Tambja affinis, a truly captivating species of sea slug, which is a type of dorid nudibranch, belonging to the marine gastropod mollusk family Polyceridae. This stunning creature boasts a striking appearance: its body is a deep, dark blue, often appearing almost black, beautifully adorned with vivid yellow or yellow-green longitudinal stripes that run along its length. A distinctive pale or light-colored spot is often visible between its prominent rhinophores, adding to its unique charm. This nudibranch can grow to an impressive size of up to 85 millimetres (3.3 inches). Like many nudibranchs, Tambja affinis has a specialized diet, primarily feasting on bryozoans, which are colonial marine invertebrates. The species was first formally described from a specimen discovered in Zanzibar, East Africa, and its distribution extends widely across the 🌊 Indian Ocean. Divers and marine enthusiasts can encounter Tambja affinis from the 🌊 Red Sea all the way eastward to Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, gracing various reef environments with its vibrant presence.