2026 · Photo: Boaz Liebes
Melibe engeli
Hairy monkdragon
Philippines · Indo Pacific - South China Sea
- Size
- 30–50 mm · max 100 mm
- Depth
- 1–18 m
- Native range
- Indo-West Pacific, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, New Caledonia and Hawaii.
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Description
A transparent, active Melibe that catches small crustaceans by sweeping its large oral hood like a net. It hides in algae by day, feeds at night, swims by flexing its body from side to side and can form large aggregations.
Share link: https://seaslugs.org.il/species/melibe-engeli-phillipines-indo-pacific-south-china-sea/
Identification
Transparent body lightly frosted with brown flecks (zooxanthellae), internal organs visible. Cylindrical, tuberculate cerata with abruptly truncated or leaf-like tips bearing several elongate papillae; a papillate flap on the rear of each rhinophore sheath.
Similar species
Melibe colemani has flattened cerata; Melibe bucephala is very similar and is separated by details of the cerata.
Habitat & diet
Habitat
Algal beds (especially Halimeda), seagrass and mixed sand–rubble; mostly 5–18 m, occasionally 1 m.
Food
Small crustaceans (crabs, shrimps, amphipods) caught with the oral hood.