Species profile
Clown Dorid
Triopha catalinae
At a glance
Clown Dorid (Triopha catalinae) is a sea slug present across the CatchRules coverage area but without species-specific bag, size, or season rules tracked in our regulatory dataset.
Confirmed by 4,970 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with California, Oregon, and British Columbia the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- The Clown Dorid is a nudibranch — it carries no protective shell as an adult.
- It feeds almost exclusively on bryozoans, colonial invertebrates that coat rocks and kelp.
- Found from Alaska to Baja California, it lives in rocky intertidal and subtidal habitats.
- Adults can reach up to 5 centimeters, making them one of the larger nudibranchs on the Pacific coast.
- Like most nudibranchs, it typically lives for about one year.
Where Clown Dorid are seen
Background
Triopha catalinae, commonly known as the sea clown triopha, is a species of colorful sea slug, a nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Polyceridae.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Clown Dorid article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other sea slugs/nudibranchs on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.