Giant nudibranch? off Vancouver Island, Canada

August 4, 2006
From: Don Belke

My friends and I were anchored in a bay in 45' of water about 30 miles west of Belle Coola, British Columbia. This bay was also 30 miles from open ocean north of Vancouver Island.

Around 5 pm on June 17, 2006, I saw a eel/snake looking creature swimming just under the boat. It was close to 1 meter long appeared somewhat flat, about 4" wide all along its length, it as olive green with dirty yellow boarder that surrounded the entire body that resembled tassles on a rug. WE couldn't believe our eyes.By the way I couldn't see eyes on it either. Is it a nudibranch or sea monster?

Don Belke

dbelke@shaw.ca

Belke, D.G.S., 2006 (Aug 4) Giant nudibranch? off Vancouver Island, Canada. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/17070

Hi Don,
Based on your description I think your critter was a polychaete worm, rather than a sea slug.  I just reviewed Andy Lamb's new book, Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest, and there are a couple that could be yours.

  • Lamb, A. & B. Hanby.  2005.  Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest - A photograhic encyclopedia of invertebrates, seaweeds and selected fishes.  Harbour Publishing.

Best wishes,
Dave Behrens

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Aug 4). Comment on Giant nudibranch? off Vancouver Island, Canada by Don Belke. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/17070

Factsheet

Polychaete Worms (Bristle worms)

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