Photos of nudibranch, giant clams and other molluscs found in Raja Ampat

While snorkeling in Raja Ampat, like in many other tropical paradises, you will encounter a wide variety of molluscs, ranging from worms living anchored to corals, to giant clams. In the photos above, a worm belonging to the genus Sabellastarte, with feather-shaped structures designed to capture nutrients from the water.

Photos of worms belonging to genus Sabellastarte.

Photos of Protula. On the left picture, a worm belonging to the genus Protula (and exactly, Protula magnifica). On the right picture, you can see the tube within which the worm withdraws instantly when it gets disturbed.

The most popular marine worms are probably the "christmas tree worms" (Spirobranchus giganteus) so defined because of their spiral structures resembling a christmas tree. Some of the corals in Raja Ampat are home to dozens of christmas tree worms of many different vivid colors.

Spirobranchus photos. Pictures of christmas tree worms, showing different colors.

Other marine worms, commonly called "spaghetti worms" because of their filamentous and very elongated shape. These sea worms belong to the genus Loimia (usually Loimia medusa).

Sea cucumber photos.

The sea cucumbers include a large variety of molluscs having different shapes, sizes and colors.

Nudibranchs photos.

Raja Ampat is home to a large number of nudibranchs (sea slugs) belonging to different genres. Unfortunately it is not always easy to see these molluscs, as they are fairly small (only a few centimetres in length) and tend to blend with the surrounding environment. Moreover, they are not always sufficiently close to the surface of the sea to be easily spotted during simple snorkeling trips (diving would be better).

The photo on the left shows two leopard nudibranchs, so called for their livery resembling the patterns normally found over leopards.

While snorkeling in Raja Ampat, you may see giant clams of every size and color.

Photos of giant clams. The giant clams are usually anchored to corals, where they grow up to huge sizes. As in the case of Acropora coral, even giant clam's color is determined by a complex relationship between algae living in symbiosis and quantity of pigments.

Also along the beaches you can observe different types of molluscs and shells. In the photo to the left, a chiton (Polyplacophora). In the photo to the right, a shell belonging to genus Nerita.