Sea Clown (Dorid)

The Sea Clown Nudibranch (Triopha catalinae) is one of the most vividly colored nudibranch we have found on the southern Oregon coast.  The bright orange protuberances contrast dramatically with its creamy white body, and it's head is the broad end on the left side of the photo. They can grow to 1.5" long, and the one below was that large. We have found this species at the north end of Nesika Beach (10 miles north of Gold Beach), at Secret Beach (milepost 345.5 on Hwy. 101) and at Cape Arago State Park outside Charleston.

Like many nudibranch, this species can walk upside down on the undersurface of the water.  As it crawls along, it spins a path of slime which keeps it suspended just below the surface of the water (see below).  "Walking on water" is  easier than navigating over and around all the obstacles on the tidepool floor.  If you gently push on the Sea Clown, it will sink to the bottom of the tidepool.