Molluscs
Ruby Octopus
Ruby Octopus Author: Claire Troost Common Names: Ruby Octopus, Pacific Red Octopus, Red Octopus Scientific Name: Octopus rubescens (Polypus rubescens) Size Range: to 50cm (20 inch) arm spread Identifying Features: This species was originally thought to be a...
Giant Pacific Octopus
Giant Pacific Octopus Author: Stephanie Hurst Photos by S. Hurst and A. Rutledge Common name: Giant Pacific Octopus, Giant Octopus Scientific name: Enteroctopus dofleini Size Range: around 3-5 meters across and averaging 50kg (110lbs). They are the largest octopus in...
Opalescent Nudibranch
Authors: Allie and Charlotte Common name : Opalescent Nudibranch, Hermissenda Nudibranch Scientific name : Hermissenda crassicornis Size range : up to 8cm long but normally around 3cm Identifying Features: The Opalescent Nudibranch is likely the most attractive...
Frosted Nudibranch
The Frosted Nudibranch by Elias and Jesse Common name: Frosted Nudibranch, Alabaster Nudibranch, White-lined Dirona Scientific name: Dirona albolineata Size range: up to 180mm (18cm) in length but normally 4cm Identifying Features: The most prominent feature of the...
Golden Dirona
Author: Samantha Claver Photogragh and video by Samantha Claver Common names: Golden Dirona, Gold Dirona, Orange Dirona Scientific name: Dirona pellucida Size Range: up to 12 cm (5 inches) long Identifying Features: Dirona pellucida belongs to the Nudibranchia...
Shag-rug Nudibranch
Author: Breyn Banks Common Names: Shag-rug Nudibranch, Shag Nudibranch, Shaggy Mouse Nudibranch, Maned Nudibranch Scientific Name: Aeolidia papillosa Size Range: 7 cm in length. Identification: The shag-rug nudibranch is a smaller nudibranch that is white to pink...
Red Dendronotid
Author: Kailey Garrett Scientific name: Dendronotus rufus Size range: up to 28 cm (11 in) Identifying Features: Dendronotus rufus have stretched rectangular bodies with cerata that branch out at the edges. Their bodies are generally white and often have colors on...
Clown Nudibranch
Clown Nudibranch Common Names: Clown Nudibranch. Orange-spotted Nudibranch, Sea Clown, Sea Clown Triopha Scientific Name: Triopha catalinae Size Range: 7cm but up to 15cm in length Video by Isobel Austin and D. Young Please visit back – more information on...
Barnacle Eating Dorid
Author: Hailey Surgin Common Name: Barnacle Eating Dorid, Rough Mantled Dorid Scientific Name: Onchidoris bilamellata Size Range: up to 2cm to 3cm in length Identifying Features: Most barnacle eating dorids have a mottled grey and brown colour to them. Their...
Monterey Sea Lemon
Author: Anna Stürgkh Common names: Monterey Sea Lemon, Sea Lemon Scientific name: Doris montereyensis (Archidoris montereyensis) Size range: 4.4 cm (1.7 inches) to 15 cm (6 inches) in length and 4 to 5 cm in width.Identifying Features: The Monterey Sea Lemon (Doris...
Hooded Nudibranch
Author: Maggie Ikeyima Common names: Hooded Nudibranch, Lion Nudibranch Scientific name: Melibe leonine Size range: Up to 10cm long, 2.5cm wide and 5cm across oral hood. Identifying Features: The Hooded Nudibranch is a translucent white, yellow, orange, or...
Hedgpeth’s Sea Hare
Author: Fynn Migallo Photos and video by D. Young and Oliver S. Common name: Hedgpeth’s Sea Hare, Hedgpeth’s Sapsucker Scientific name: Elysia hedgpethi Size range: 2 - 5 cm (0.7 - 1.9 inches) Identifying features: Hedgpeth’s Sea Hare belongs in the order...
Zebra Leaf Slug
Zebra Leafslug Author: Rubin Cheney Thank you to Nicole LaForge for the use of her photos Common name: Zebra Leaf Slug, Eelgrass Sea hare, Taylor’s Sea Hare Scientific name: Phyllaplysia taylori Size range: Up to 8cm (3.2 in) long Identifying features: ...
Sea Angel
Common name: Sea angel, Naked sea butterfly, common Clione Scientific name: Clione limacina Author: Chloe Stone Photos: Special thanks to Alexander Semenov for allowing us to use his beautiful images of Clione limacina. Size range: 3 cm to 8 cm Identifying...
Pacific Wingfoot Snail
Pacific Wingfoot Snail Author: Shelbie Montagnaro Common names: Pacific wingfoot snail, Pacific winged sea slug, sea butterfly Scientific name: Gastropteron pacificum Size Range: to 33mm (1.3 inches) in length Identifying Features: The Pacific wingfoot snail has a...
Blue Top Snail
Blue Top Snail Author: Alisha Carey Common name: Blue Top Snail, Ribbed Top Snail Scientific name: Calliostoma ligatum (formerly Calliostoma costatum) Size range: up to 2.5 cm (1 inch) in diameter Identifying Features: The blue top snail (Calliostoma ligatum) is...
Purple Olive Snail
Purple Olive Snail Scientific name: Olivella biplicata Authors: Cody C. and D. Young Size: 2cm to 3.5cm (0.8 inch to 1.15inch) Identifying features: Purple Olive Snails are very attractive snails that have a smooth shell that appears highly polished. The colour...
Sitka Periwinkle
Common Name: Sitka Periwinkle Author: Bea Wicker Scientific Name: Littorina sitkana Size Range: Up to 2.4cm long Identifying Features: The Sitka Periwinkle generally has a brown or grey shell, which is sometimes striped. They can close themselves inside their...
Mudflat Snail
Common name: Mudflat Snails; Spiral Snails; Asian Hornsnail, Screw shell Authors: Elliot Scott-Bigsby & Sayde Koetke Scientific name: Batillaria cumingi (Batillaria zonalis, Batillaria attramentaria) Size: Up to 3 cm (1 ¼”) in length Identifying features:...
Northern Abalone
Nothern Abalone Authors: Amy and Katherine Spanier Common Name: Northern Abalone, Pinto Abalone Scientific Name: Haliotis kamtschatkana Size Range: 18cm (7in.) across Identifying Features: The Northern Abalone’s is the only species of abalone in Canada. Its shell...
Lined Chiton
Scientific name: Tonicella lineata Author: Bowie Connor Length: to 2″ (5cm) Identification: The lined chiton is one of the prettiest chitons in the Pacific Northwest. It can be in many colours ranging from pink, red to orange and they often have vibrantly...
Black Katy Chiton
Author: Sarayut Uddy Klongchoengrob Common Names: Black Katy Chiton, Black Leather Chiton Scientific name: Katharina tunicata Size: to 15cm in length Identifying Features: The black Katy chiton is oval shaped and has 8 white over-lapping plates on top of...
Gumboot Chiton
Authors: Adam Kitzler and Niko Kruzel Common Names: Gumboot chiton, giant Pacific chiton, giant red chiton, the wandering meatloaf Scientific Name: Cryptochiton stelleri Size Range: Up to 13 inches (33cm) in length Identifying features: Gumboot chitons have an...
Pacific Geoduck
Author: Zoe Schmit Common Name: Pacific geoduck, Pacific geoduck clam Scientific Name: Panopea genersoa Photo courtesy of Grant Dovey of the Underwater Harvesters Association and the West Coast Geoduck Research Corporation. Identifying Features: The Pacific geoduck...