2026 · Photo: Boaz Liebes
Asteronotus cespitosus
Clumpy nudibranch
Philippines · Indo Pacific - South China Sea
- Size
- 80–200 mm · max 250 mm
- Depth
- 0–20 m
- Native range
- Tropical Indo-West Pacific, from the Indian Ocean to Hawaii
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Description
A very large, mound-shaped dorid reaching about 25 cm, sculpted with heavy ridges and tubercles. It is mainly active at night but may rest in the open by day, and sometimes hosts commensal shrimps.
Share link: https://seaslugs.org.il/species/asteronotus-cespitosus-phillipines-indo-pacific-south-china-sea/
Identification
A mid-dorsal longitudinal ridge flanked by large raised ridges and compound tubercles on an otherwise smooth notum. Colour light yellow to caramel or greyish tan, with cream to pale yellow tubercles and rhinophores; the thin, translucent mantle edge may be pinkish. Gills light tan by day, chocolate brown to blood red at night.
Similar species
Asteronotus mimeticus is much smaller (under about 2 cm) and grey, brown or yellowish with many small spots, without the massive ridges.
Habitat & diet
Habitat
Protected to exposed rocky reefs, tide pools and subtidal reef, to about 20 m.
Food
Sponges; in Hawaii it feeds on the blue-grey sponge Dysidea herbacea.
