My series of “how it’s taken” continues with the photograph of a Goniobranchus geminus nudibranch
A few Facts about the Goniobranchus geminus nudibranch
Some Species of nudibranchs show ‘mantle-flapping’ in which the whole of the mantle edge rises simultaneously and then falls simultaneously. At this stage we have no idea what the ‘purpose’ is, if any, for this type of behavior.
Did you know?
Nudibranchs are hermaphroditic, thus having a set of reproductive organs for both sexes, but they cannot fertilize themselves.
Goniobranchus geminus, also known as the gem sea slug, is a species of very colorful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc. It can reach a maximum size of 50mm (1.968 inch). This one was around 30mm (1.181 inch) long.
Goniobranchus geminus has large purple or purple-brown spots or marks, usually ringed with white, and often reticulate yellow background, and a purple border. Goniobranchus geminus having four colour bands around the mantle edge, an outermost white, then translucent greyish purple, then white, then yellow.
The Story of how this image was taken of a Goniobranchus geminus nudibranch
Nudibranchs are small most range between 5-60mm (0.196-2.362 inch). Fortunately many have bright colors to protect themselves from predators by mimicking a toxic substance but some are toxic. The Goniobranchus geminus with its bright colors are a little easier to find.
They are not very fast crawling but also can catapult themselves away from the ground to swim/float away, it is rarely the case but it can happen so you want to approach it with calmness.
The first Picture was taken a little further away just to make sure you have at least one for your customers.
I wanted to shoot a Picture when the Mantel flap is up but the timing is hard as you’ll see in the following Pictures. Especially to keep the Rhinophores in focus while it is moving towards you.
Smelling Organ Rhinophores
We smell scents and odors with our nose, which has special receptors to sense the chemical molecules in the air. In nudibranchs, and other marine animals, the same sort of chemicals are dissolved in the Ocean. In many Sea Slugs this is how they find their food and mating partner. Scent receptors work better when there is a lot of surface area to test for the chemicals hence their shape has a lot of surface area.
But there are many different shaped rhinophores and they often look like worms, so they look like food for fish and like to be nibbled on. To protect them, the nudibranch can retract its olfactory organ into pockets under the skin.
After I took the last Picture the Goniobranchus geminus Nudibranch it was to close to my Macro Lens and Port so I had to move back a little. Clicked the shutter button and the flaps are down again.
Moving backwards… in scuba diving, not easy and especially not with a big rig ass camera in your hand while trying to keep your buoyancy stable making sure not to hit any other marine life, the floor or corals.
On top of that you have movements of waves, currents, and surge, your buoyancy must be perfect not to touch the floor and get more waterborn particles dissolved and in your image.
No fast movement, slow breathing and moving your camera must be very gentle and slow.
Once again i clicked the shutter button and the flaps are down…
On this Picture I had a adjusted my guide number on the strobes and they flashed to strongly, hence the picture is over exposed and colors are too strong.
And yes you do have strobes too!
And finally after around 5min I reached my goal and I took the best Picture of the Goniobranchus geminus nudibranch with its flaps up.
The Marilyn Monroe Nudibranch was born.
Ethical Shooting Rules!
- Leave only Bubbles
- take only Pictures
- do not disturb wildlife
- do not touch
- do not harass
- practice ethical shooting!
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