Size

Length: To 10cm (4")

Recognition Characters

Large crown of feather-like gills on posterior region.

Color

Navy blue to deep purple with brilliant yellow-gold stripes and markings.

Habitat & Depth

Inhabit rocky outcroppings and hard bottoms. Depth to 40m.

Distribution at GRNMS

Common at GRNMS during warmer months. Commonly found preying on Dysidea fragilis.

Geographic Range

Georgia, Florida

Behavior & Notes

This nudibranch is a seasonal visitor to GRNMS. It can be locally abundant during summer when it lays its egg masses. The nudibranch appears to die after reproduction and adults return during spring and summer. This species feeds heavily upon the sponge Dysidea etheria.

Synonyms

References

Humann 1992a