Ole Johan Brett, Norwegen
Info
The variable neon star snail Nembrotha kubaryana can grow up to 12 cm in size. Like all snails of its species, it cannot be kept in the aquarium because it specializes in feeding on sea squirts. However, neon star snails can be accidentally introduced into the aquarium via live stones.
The variable neon star snail lives in the tropical western Indo-Pacific. It is a large nudibranch with a dark body that can have green stripes or green raised spots along the entire length of the body. The edge of the foot and head is a vivid red-orange. The rhinophores and gills can be red or green.
Nembrotha kubaryana can easily be confused with a similar species, Nembrotha cristata, although the latter does not have a red-orange border on the foot.
Nembrotha kubaryana feeds on the sea squirt Sigillina signifera. It uses the toxins of the sea squirt to defend itself against predators. It stores the toxins of the sea squirts in its tissue and releases them as a slimy defensive mucus in case of danger.
Synonymised names:
Nembrotha nigerrima Bergh, 1877
The variable neon star snail lives in the tropical western Indo-Pacific. It is a large nudibranch with a dark body that can have green stripes or green raised spots along the entire length of the body. The edge of the foot and head is a vivid red-orange. The rhinophores and gills can be red or green.
Nembrotha kubaryana can easily be confused with a similar species, Nembrotha cristata, although the latter does not have a red-orange border on the foot.
Nembrotha kubaryana feeds on the sea squirt Sigillina signifera. It uses the toxins of the sea squirt to defend itself against predators. It stores the toxins of the sea squirts in its tissue and releases them as a slimy defensive mucus in case of danger.
Synonymised names:
Nembrotha nigerrima Bergh, 1877
