scubaseason

Hooded Nudibranch

Melibe leonina

Sighting evidence at Dodd Narrows, British Columbia

Hooded nudibranchs swarm the kelp fronds and anemone fields at Dodd Narrows in summer, their translucent bodies and flapping cerata making them resemble miniature jellyfish. Unlike most nudibranchs they are active swimmers, releasing their grip on the substrate and undulating through the water when disturbed. They trap small crustaceans with an oral hood that expands like a net — a completely unique feeding strategy among nudibranchs — and emit a distinctive smell described as watermelon or sweet fruit.

Evidence at this site

No confirmed records on file at this site

Hooded Nudibranch is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.

How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.