Description Hypselodoris kanga is characterized by its striking coloration. The body is typically translucent white or cream, often adorned with a prominent, wide, orange or reddish-orange band along the mantle margin. Just inside this orange band, a thin, interrupted blue or purple line may be present. The dorsum (back) can feature scattered orange or yellow spots, which sometimes coalesce into longitudinal lines. A distinctive thin, broken blue or purple line often runs down the center of the back. The rhinophores (sensory tentacles) are orange or reddish-orange, frequently tipped with white, while the gill plumes are white, often edged or tipped with orange. This species can grow to a size of approximately 40-50 millimeters (1.6-2 inches) in length.
Distribution and Habitat This nudibranch is native to the tropical Indo-Pacific region. Its known distribution includes various locations across the Western Pacific, such as parts of Australia (e.g., Queensland), Indonesia, the Philippines, and other South East Asian waters. Hypselodoris kanga typically inhabits coral reefs and rocky substrates, where it is often found in association with sponges, which constitute its primary food source.
Diet Like other members of the Chromodorididae family, Hypselodoris kanga is a specialist feeder, preying exclusively on certain species of sponges. The specific sponges consumed by this species contribute to the vibrant coloration it displays, as pigments from the sponge can be incorporated into the nudibranch's tissues.
Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mollusca Class: Gastropoda Subclass: Heterobranchia Order: Nudibranchia Suborder: Doridina Superfamily: Chromodoridoidea Family: Chromodorididae Genus: Hypselodoris Species: H. kanga