Many members of the Discodorididae family have flattened backs with numerous coloured tubercles (bumps), similar to Wart Slugs, and a wide mantle skirt. The larger and brighter tubercles (bumps) are often located along the edge of several ridges which run along the back of the nudibranch.
As with other nudibranch families, many members of this family can secrete toxic acids through the skin of the dorsal mantle as a defensive measure.
Discodorididae Nudibranchs may withdraw their gills and rhinophores (tentacles on top of the head) into pockets when disturbed in order to protect themselves.
Strickland's Halgerda has a pale to whitish body colour with numerous tubercles (warty bumps) of varying sizes, coloured yellow to orange to pink to red.
Some of the larger tubercles are atop ridges, however the majority are not. The larger tubercles are surrounded by a faint white ring.
Halgerda punctata has a translucent white body with numerous dark spots and many yellow-tipped tubercles on the ridges. The sides of the ridges and body have dark spots, which also extend to the foot.
The front of the head has mostly yellow spots, not on ridges.
The rhinophore (head tentacles) are dark coloured, with a dark streak along the body to the rear. The thicker gill stems may be translucent white, with the thinner upper gill stems being dark coloured.
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Allen, G., Steene, R., Humann, P., DeLoach, N. (2003) Reef Fish Identification, Tropical Pacific. Jacksonville, FL., USA: New World Publications, Inc., ISBN 1-878348-36-1.
