Three-spot dorid seen at Oudekraal. Note the relatively small spots, compared to the next specimen:
Three-spot dorid clearly showing the three spots which themselves contain small pale spots.
Both photos Guido Zsilavecz.
While described as occuring all along the western Cape Peninsula, and although we have found it at Cow and Calf, near Gordon's Bay, this is a very rare species which we have not seen often. It is described as occuring between 15 and 30 m, but we have found it in shallower water than that, but admitedly it was on a pinnacle further offshore surrounded in deeper water.
The three spots are characteristic, although when we saw the individual, being only about 2 cm long, the spots looked rather small, especially the first and third. The presence of pale dots on the darker spots however confirms the species.
For more details see Nudibranchs of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay, available from better Cape Town divestores or directly from SURG.
Nudibranchs of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay. G. Zsilavecz, 2007
Nudibranchs of Southern Africa - a guide to the opisthobranch molluscs of southern Africa, T Gosliner, 1987.