Field notes
Encounter profile
Identified using .
Goniobranchus kuniei - Goniobranchus are known for their vibrant colors and distinctive patterns, often featuring bright white bodies with colorful spots or lines.
Species profile
Goniobranchus kuniei
Identified using .
11
Media items
Photos and videos
6
Dives
Distinct encounters
3
Locations
2 trips
Photographic identification review
4/11 exact media auditedShared reviewed hypothesis
Goniobranchus kuniei
Probable assessment across 4 exact media items. The archive is currently filed as Goniobranchus kuniei; a reviewed hypothesis is evidence, not a silent relabelling.
Archive ecology
Conditions where we found it
SNAP observations, not the species’ full biological range.
- Depth evidence
- 6.7–10.9m
- Median 6.9m · n=4
- Water temperature
- 24.0–28.0°C
- Median 27.0°C · n=9
Depth basis: 0 recorded, 4 profile-estimated, 5 contextual.
Tight observed depth band
All 4 depth-linked observations in SNAP fall between 6.7m and 10.9m.
View distributions & comparisons▾
Repeatable archive pattern · 10 observations / 6 dives
Observed depth distributionmiddle 50%: 6.7–8.0m
Calendar-quarter observations
Apr–Jun5
Jul–Sep5
Camera-clock comparison
Morning · 2Night · 8
- • These distributions describe photographs in SNAP, not a species’ complete biological range.
- • Depth distributions use recorded or capture-time profile estimates; dive-average and maximum context is excluded.
- • Time-of-day groups use the camera clock and are not corrected for sunrise, sunset, or timezone.
Creature trail
A life through time and place
#6 · Aug 6, 2026
House Reef : Sardines
Moalboal, Philippines · Asia 2026
12.3m · Dive-average context28.0°C
#5 · Jul 17, 2026
Tawali Resort House Reef
Tawali, PNG · Asia 2026
7.0m · Estimated at capture time24.0°C
#4 · Jul 12, 2026
Tawali Resort Main Wharf
Tawali, PNG · Asia 2026
10.9m · Estimated at capture time25.0°C
#3 · May 15, 2026
Boulders
Puerto Galera · Asia 2026
13.9m · Dive-average context27.0°C
Species field guide
Notes, taxonomy, identification & seasonality
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Species field guide
Notes, taxonomy, identification & seasonality
Identification audit
Audit history for photographed encounters
4 assessments across 4 exact media items. Each records who reviewed the image, when, what they concluded, and why. These assessments remain separate from iNaturalist computer vision and from the current canonical Gallery label.
ProbableLatest audit record
Conclusion: Goniobranchus kuniei
Reviewed by Codex identification research on Aug 29, 2026 · 95% reviewer confidence.
Reasoning recorded at review
- The animal is broad and oval with an ample, relatively low mantle skirt that widely overlaps the body.
- The mantle edge forms a broad compound border with multiple purple-violet zones and a pale creamy transition, not a single fine line.
- The cream-to-ochre dorsum carries predominantly separate solid dark violet-purple spots, each surrounded by a bright pale-blue, violet-white, or cream halo.
- Pale cream-to-yellow rhinophores and a large pale gill circlet are compatible supporting characters.
- Despite darker exposure, the complete broad body, compound purple border, separate pale-ringed spots, and pale appendages are visible.
Alternatives considered
- Goniobranchus leopardus
Why plausible: A member of the same colour group with an ochre ground, purple marks, and a purple edge.
Comparison: G. leopardus should show only a fine purple edge and smaller marks more often organized into hollow rings or multi-spot leopard patterns; neither combination is visible here.
- Hypselodoris tryoni
Why plausible: Shares solid dark marks with pale halos and colour-group similarity.
Comparison: H. tryoni should be high, elongate, and narrow with reduced mantle overlap and only a fine violet edge, contrary to the broad low multi-banded mantle visible here.
- Goniobranchus geminus / Goniobranchus tritos
Why plausible: Indian Ocean colour-group analogues can share a broad chromodorid body and haloed dorsal spots.
Comparison: A specimen-backed comparison of the full marginal band order and internal anatomy or molecular data would be required; locality is supporting context only and is not used to exclude them by itself.
Evidence limits & sources +−
- • No voucher anatomy or molecular sequence is available, so the photographic conclusion remains probable rather than confirmed.
- • Underwater lighting changes cream, ochre, violet, and blue hues; the decision therefore relies on body form, relative band widths, and spot construction.
- • The ventral mantle and foot pattern is not completely exposed in this frame.
Ambon chromodorid specimen treatment ↗Primary paper · Yonow, N. (2001). Results of the Rumphius Biohistorical Expedition to Ambon (1990). Part 11. Doridacea of the families Chromodorididae and Hexabranchidae. Zoologische Mededelingen 75: 1-50. · Chromodoris kuniei account, pp. 22-23 and pl. 3 fig. 1; C. leopardus comparison, p. 23 · checked Aug 29, 2026 · comparison image suppliedContribution: The broad overlap, multi-banded purple-and-cream edge, creamy dorsum, and separate violet spots match the specimen-backed G. kuniei account and conflict with Yonow's G. leopardus distinction.Rudman revision of the tryoni colour group ↗Primary paper · Rudman, W. B. (1987). The Chromodorididae of the Indo-West Pacific: the genus Risbecia and tryoni colour groups. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 90(4): 305-407. · G. kuniei and tryoni colour-group accounts; figs 39 and 42-43 · checked Aug 29, 2026 · comparison image suppliedContribution: Supports the whole-animal comparison among G. kuniei, H. tryoni, G. leopardus, and related colour-group species.Modern chromodorid classification ↗Primary paper · Johnson, R. F. & Gosliner, T. M. (2012). Traditional taxonomic groupings mask evolutionary history: a molecular phylogeny and new classification of the chromodorid nudibranchs. PLOS ONE 7(4): e33479. · Chromodorid classification and Goniobranchus placement · checked Aug 29, 2026Contribution: Supplies the current Goniobranchus combination for literature that used Chromodoris kuniei; it is nomenclatural context rather than photographic evidence.
ProbableLatest audit record
Conclusion: Goniobranchus kuniei
Reviewed by Codex identification research on Aug 29, 2026 · 97% reviewer confidence.
Reasoning recorded at review
- The animal is broad and oval with an ample, relatively low mantle skirt that widely overlaps the body.
- The mantle edge forms a broad compound border with multiple purple-violet zones and a pale creamy transition, not a single fine line.
- The cream-to-ochre dorsum carries predominantly separate solid dark violet-purple spots, each surrounded by a bright pale-blue, violet-white, or cream halo.
- Pale cream-to-yellow rhinophores and a large pale gill circlet are compatible supporting characters.
- The whole-animal lateral-dorsal view clearly shows the broad overlapping skirt, layered purple margin, creamy dorsum, and separate haloed spots.
Alternatives considered
- Goniobranchus leopardus
Why plausible: A member of the same colour group with an ochre ground, purple marks, and a purple edge.
Comparison: G. leopardus should show only a fine purple edge and smaller marks more often organized into hollow rings or multi-spot leopard patterns; neither combination is visible here.
- Hypselodoris tryoni
Why plausible: Shares solid dark marks with pale halos and colour-group similarity.
Comparison: H. tryoni should be high, elongate, and narrow with reduced mantle overlap and only a fine violet edge, contrary to the broad low multi-banded mantle visible here.
- Goniobranchus geminus / Goniobranchus tritos
Why plausible: Indian Ocean colour-group analogues can share a broad chromodorid body and haloed dorsal spots.
Comparison: A specimen-backed comparison of the full marginal band order and internal anatomy or molecular data would be required; locality is supporting context only and is not used to exclude them by itself.
Evidence limits & sources +−
- • No voucher anatomy or molecular sequence is available, so the photographic conclusion remains probable rather than confirmed.
- • Underwater lighting changes cream, ochre, violet, and blue hues; the decision therefore relies on body form, relative band widths, and spot construction.
- • The ventral mantle and foot pattern is not completely exposed in this frame.
Ambon chromodorid specimen treatment ↗Primary paper · Yonow, N. (2001). Results of the Rumphius Biohistorical Expedition to Ambon (1990). Part 11. Doridacea of the families Chromodorididae and Hexabranchidae. Zoologische Mededelingen 75: 1-50. · Chromodoris kuniei account, pp. 22-23 and pl. 3 fig. 1; C. leopardus comparison, p. 23 · checked Aug 29, 2026 · comparison image suppliedContribution: The broad overlap, multi-banded purple-and-cream edge, creamy dorsum, and separate violet spots match the specimen-backed G. kuniei account and conflict with Yonow's G. leopardus distinction.Rudman revision of the tryoni colour group ↗Primary paper · Rudman, W. B. (1987). The Chromodorididae of the Indo-West Pacific: the genus Risbecia and tryoni colour groups. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 90(4): 305-407. · G. kuniei and tryoni colour-group accounts; figs 39 and 42-43 · checked Aug 29, 2026 · comparison image suppliedContribution: Supports the whole-animal comparison among G. kuniei, H. tryoni, G. leopardus, and related colour-group species.Modern chromodorid classification ↗Primary paper · Johnson, R. F. & Gosliner, T. M. (2012). Traditional taxonomic groupings mask evolutionary history: a molecular phylogeny and new classification of the chromodorid nudibranchs. PLOS ONE 7(4): e33479. · Chromodorid classification and Goniobranchus placement · checked Aug 29, 2026Contribution: Supplies the current Goniobranchus combination for literature that used Chromodoris kuniei; it is nomenclatural context rather than photographic evidence.
ProbableLatest audit record
Conclusion: Goniobranchus kuniei
Reviewed by Codex identification research on Aug 29, 2026 · 96% reviewer confidence.
Reasoning recorded at review
- The animal is broad and oval with an ample, relatively low mantle skirt that widely overlaps the body.
- The mantle edge forms a broad compound border with multiple purple-violet zones and a pale creamy transition, not a single fine line.
- The cream-to-ochre dorsum carries predominantly separate solid dark violet-purple spots, each surrounded by a bright pale-blue, violet-white, or cream halo.
- Pale cream-to-yellow rhinophores and a large pale gill circlet are compatible supporting characters.
- The near-dorsal view exposes the broad oval outline, wide overlap, separate haloed spots, compound skirt, rhinophores, and gills.
Alternatives considered
- Goniobranchus leopardus
Why plausible: A member of the same colour group with an ochre ground, purple marks, and a purple edge.
Comparison: G. leopardus should show only a fine purple edge and smaller marks more often organized into hollow rings or multi-spot leopard patterns; neither combination is visible here.
- Hypselodoris tryoni
Why plausible: Shares solid dark marks with pale halos and colour-group similarity.
Comparison: H. tryoni should be high, elongate, and narrow with reduced mantle overlap and only a fine violet edge, contrary to the broad low multi-banded mantle visible here.
- Goniobranchus geminus / Goniobranchus tritos
Why plausible: Indian Ocean colour-group analogues can share a broad chromodorid body and haloed dorsal spots.
Comparison: A specimen-backed comparison of the full marginal band order and internal anatomy or molecular data would be required; locality is supporting context only and is not used to exclude them by itself.
Evidence limits & sources +−
- • No voucher anatomy or molecular sequence is available, so the photographic conclusion remains probable rather than confirmed.
- • Underwater lighting changes cream, ochre, violet, and blue hues; the decision therefore relies on body form, relative band widths, and spot construction.
- • The ventral mantle and foot pattern is not completely exposed in this frame.
Ambon chromodorid specimen treatment ↗Primary paper · Yonow, N. (2001). Results of the Rumphius Biohistorical Expedition to Ambon (1990). Part 11. Doridacea of the families Chromodorididae and Hexabranchidae. Zoologische Mededelingen 75: 1-50. · Chromodoris kuniei account, pp. 22-23 and pl. 3 fig. 1; C. leopardus comparison, p. 23 · checked Aug 29, 2026 · comparison image suppliedContribution: The broad overlap, multi-banded purple-and-cream edge, creamy dorsum, and separate violet spots match the specimen-backed G. kuniei account and conflict with Yonow's G. leopardus distinction.Rudman revision of the tryoni colour group ↗Primary paper · Rudman, W. B. (1987). The Chromodorididae of the Indo-West Pacific: the genus Risbecia and tryoni colour groups. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 90(4): 305-407. · G. kuniei and tryoni colour-group accounts; figs 39 and 42-43 · checked Aug 29, 2026 · comparison image suppliedContribution: Supports the whole-animal comparison among G. kuniei, H. tryoni, G. leopardus, and related colour-group species.Modern chromodorid classification ↗Primary paper · Johnson, R. F. & Gosliner, T. M. (2012). Traditional taxonomic groupings mask evolutionary history: a molecular phylogeny and new classification of the chromodorid nudibranchs. PLOS ONE 7(4): e33479. · Chromodorid classification and Goniobranchus placement · checked Aug 29, 2026Contribution: Supplies the current Goniobranchus combination for literature that used Chromodoris kuniei; it is nomenclatural context rather than photographic evidence.
ProbableLatest audit record
Conclusion: Goniobranchus kuniei
Reviewed by Codex identification research on Aug 29, 2026 · 97% reviewer confidence.
Reasoning recorded at review
- The animal is broad and oval with an ample, relatively low mantle skirt that widely overlaps the body.
- The mantle edge forms a broad compound border with multiple purple-violet zones and a pale creamy transition, not a single fine line.
- The cream-to-ochre dorsum carries predominantly separate solid dark violet-purple spots, each surrounded by a bright pale-blue, violet-white, or cream halo.
- Pale cream-to-yellow rhinophores and a large pale gill circlet are compatible supporting characters.
- The full dorsal view sharply resolves the broad compound purple skirt, individual haloed spots, and large pale gill circlet.
Alternatives considered
- Goniobranchus leopardus
Why plausible: A member of the same colour group with an ochre ground, purple marks, and a purple edge.
Comparison: G. leopardus should show only a fine purple edge and smaller marks more often organized into hollow rings or multi-spot leopard patterns; neither combination is visible here.
- Hypselodoris tryoni
Why plausible: Shares solid dark marks with pale halos and colour-group similarity.
Comparison: H. tryoni should be high, elongate, and narrow with reduced mantle overlap and only a fine violet edge, contrary to the broad low multi-banded mantle visible here.
- Goniobranchus geminus / Goniobranchus tritos
Why plausible: Indian Ocean colour-group analogues can share a broad chromodorid body and haloed dorsal spots.
Comparison: A specimen-backed comparison of the full marginal band order and internal anatomy or molecular data would be required; locality is supporting context only and is not used to exclude them by itself.
Evidence limits & sources +−
- • No voucher anatomy or molecular sequence is available, so the photographic conclusion remains probable rather than confirmed.
- • Underwater lighting changes cream, ochre, violet, and blue hues; the decision therefore relies on body form, relative band widths, and spot construction.
- • The ventral mantle and foot pattern is not completely exposed in this frame.
Ambon chromodorid specimen treatment ↗Primary paper · Yonow, N. (2001). Results of the Rumphius Biohistorical Expedition to Ambon (1990). Part 11. Doridacea of the families Chromodorididae and Hexabranchidae. Zoologische Mededelingen 75: 1-50. · Chromodoris kuniei account, pp. 22-23 and pl. 3 fig. 1; C. leopardus comparison, p. 23 · checked Aug 29, 2026 · comparison image suppliedContribution: The broad overlap, multi-banded purple-and-cream edge, creamy dorsum, and separate violet spots match the specimen-backed G. kuniei account and conflict with Yonow's G. leopardus distinction.Rudman revision of the tryoni colour group ↗Primary paper · Rudman, W. B. (1987). The Chromodorididae of the Indo-West Pacific: the genus Risbecia and tryoni colour groups. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 90(4): 305-407. · G. kuniei and tryoni colour-group accounts; figs 39 and 42-43 · checked Aug 29, 2026 · comparison image suppliedContribution: Supports the whole-animal comparison among G. kuniei, H. tryoni, G. leopardus, and related colour-group species.Modern chromodorid classification ↗Primary paper · Johnson, R. F. & Gosliner, T. M. (2012). Traditional taxonomic groupings mask evolutionary history: a molecular phylogeny and new classification of the chromodorid nudibranchs. PLOS ONE 7(4): e33479. · Chromodorid classification and Goniobranchus placement · checked Aug 29, 2026Contribution: Supplies the current Goniobranchus combination for literature that used Chromodoris kuniei; it is nomenclatural context rather than photographic evidence.
Archive selection
Representative encounters
A representative entry point into the archive before the full record below.
Archive
All media records
11 media items
Optional context
Curious beyond the photographs?
Continue exploring
Life found nearby
Species photographed on the same dives come first, followed by close taxonomic neighbours.
Anna's Chromodoris
Chromodoris annae
Puerto Galera
Chamberlain's Nembrotha
Nembrotha chamberlaini
Puerto Galera
Day Octopus
Octopus cyanea
Puerto Galera
Aplysia nigrocincta
Tawali, PNG
Ardeadoris egretta
Moalboal, Philippines
Barred-fin Moray
Gymnothorax zonipectis
Puerto Galera