Cloudy Bubble Snail

Bulla gouldiana

Bulla gouldiana is a semi-transparent sea snail with a paper-thin, globose shell that can be brown or pale violet in color. The head, mantle, and foot exhibit a yellowish-brown hue adorned with mottled whitish dots, making it distinguishable from other bubble snails. The shell's aperture is wide at the front and narrows towards the back, a characteristic that helps divers identify this species underwater. This species inhabits shallow waters along the eastern Pacific Ocean, specifically from California to Ecuador. It prefers sheltered environments such as estuaries and bays, typically found at depths of up to 10 meters (33 feet). Divers may encounter Bulla gouldiana in these protected areas, where it resides on mudflats and in bays, often blending into its surroundings. Bulla gouldiana feeds primarily on organic matter, contributing to the benthic ecosystem. It reproduces by laying a yellow to orange tangled string of jelly that contains oval capsules, each housing up to 25 eggs. The larvae that emerge from these capsules develop into veliger larvae, continuing the life cycle of this species. Encounters with this snail during dives can be intriguing, as they often rest on the substrate, their unique coloration providing a subtle contrast against the ocean floor. The conservation status of Bulla gouldiana has not been evaluated by the IUCN, leaving its long-term viability in its natural habitat uncertain. However, it has been recorded at multiple dive sites, indicating a presence that divers may frequently observe during their underwater explorations.