Splendid Goniobranch

Goniobranchus splendidus is a chromodorid nudibranch which has an opaque white mantle with large, scattered red spots. In the northern part of its range these spots coalesce and may form a single large red patch in the middle of the back. The edge of the mantle is yellow. The rhinophore clubs are red with white edges to the lamellae. The gills have a two fine red lines on the outer rachis and white leaves. Compare with Goniobranchus daphne, Goniobranchus hunterae and Goniobranchus tasmaniensis which all have similar coloration.

This species was described from Port Jackson, New South Wales, Australia. It is one of a group of similar red-spotted chromodorids from south-eastern Australia which form a mimicry ring.