2026 · Photo: Boaz Liebes
Hypselodoris tryoni
Tryon's hypselodoris
Philippines · Indo Pacific - South China Sea
- Size
- 30–60 mm
- Native range
- Indo-West Pacific, from East Africa and the Red Sea to Japan, Australia and French Polynesia
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Description
A large, common Indo-Pacific chromodorid, formerly placed in the genus Risbecia. It is well known for 'trailing': two, or sometimes three, individuals crawl in single file, the follower keeping contact with the one ahead, apparently as part of mating behaviour.
Share link: https://seaslugs.org.il/species/hypselodoris-tryoni-phillipines-indo-pacific-south-china-sea/
Identification
High body with little mantle overlap. Cream to pale brownish mantle with a brown reticulate pattern and scattered dark purple to blackish spots, each ringed in white. A narrow purple to bluish-violet line around the mantle edge. Rhinophores purplish; gills white edged with orange-brown to purple-brown.
Similar species
Goniobranchus kuniei has a wide mantle skirt with a broad, three-banded violet border. G. leopardus has leopard-like clusters of marks forming hollow squares.
Habitat & diet
Habitat
Coral and rocky reefs, often in the open; recorded to at least 15 m.
Food
Sponges (feeding has been photographed in the field).
