About Ceratosoma amoenum (Cheeseman, 1886)
Ceratosoma amoenum (Cheeseman, 1886) is a species of nudibranch. This species has a white body elaborately patterned with orange and purple spots, especially on the dorsum. Spot size varies by geographic range: individuals found in New Zealand have the largest spots. Some variation in patterning occurs across individuals of this species. Its gills and rhinophores are crimson-white in color; both the rhinophores and the unbranched gills can be retracted into pockets. A large concentration of mantle glands is located at the rear of the mantle. This species reaches at least 60 mm in total length.
Ceratosoma amoenum is a common nudibranch that inhabits intertidal zones of temperate southern Australia and northern New Zealand. A small number of sightings have also been recorded off the coast of southern Queensland.
In terms of ecology, Ceratosoma amoenum feeds on sponges, and has been observed feeding on sponges from the genus Semitaspongia and the species Dysidea fragilis. It sequesters metabolites from its sponge prey to use as a defense mechanism.
