Goniobranchus preciosus (Kelaart, 1858)

The genus Goniobranchus has way too many undescribed species, but this guy is not only described but one of my favorites.

I absolutely love the inflated rhinophores with their white lamellae and the white lines on the gill. Fantastic.

The mantle coloration is characteristic, but variable. The notum is opaque white in most specimens, but we have observed a few with mottling of darker color. In all cases the margin has three bands, beginning with a thin white band followed by a deep dark red band, then finally a yellow band.

Recall that Goniobranchid species lay their egg ribbons on edge, forming an elevated spiral, rather than flat on the surface as members of Chromodoris do.

How can you not love this beauty. I still don't have a photo of this quality of this species.

Great shot Pirjo.

Francis and Pirjo Pellet live in Les Vans in the Rhone Valley, France. I first met Francis and Pirjo at the July, 2005 Opisthobranch Course held at Cerbere, France hosted by Robert Oms We have reconnected at various times thru the years but more recently at the Nudibranch Conference held at Crystal Blue Philippines resort in May.

I can't say enough about the Pellets and their slug hunting and photography skills although they probably don't need an introduction to readers of this site!. A good many of their finds are in the 5mm and below category which in my estimation is the ultimate challenge in sea slug hunting! Of course photographing something this small is by no means a "slam dunk" as in basketball parlance! There are focus and depth of field considerations which can drive the underwater photographer to exasperation. The Pellets , it goes without saying, excel in super macro photography of sea slugs!

Pirjo shoots with Nikon D 300, 60 mm macro lens and Subsee +10 wet lens of 15 years vintage. Her system is still doing a great job as the reader can see! Francis shoots with a Olympus TG 6 but prefers to use it in a wide angle capacity.

They have through the years contributed countless stunning images to the site for which I am extremely appreciative.

Michael Miller
San Diego, Calif
Mar. 2024

Send Pirjo email at pirjo.pellet@free.fr
Send Michael email at mdmiller1@cox.net