Phyllidia coelestis
Sky blue phyllidia
Maldives · Indan Ocean
- Size
- 20–40 mm · max 55 mm
- Depth
- 1–24 m
- Native range
- Indo-West Pacific, from South Africa across the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific
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Description
A common phyllidiid of tropical Indo-West Pacific reefs, named for its sky-blue colour. Like other phyllidiids it is a sponge-feeding dorid with toxic defensive chemistry and gills hidden under the mantle.
Share link: https://seaslugs.org.il/species/phyllidia-coelestis-maldives-indan-ocean/
Identification
Sky-blue to blue-grey back crossed by three black longitudinal bands; the blue-grey ridges between them join in a Y-shape. Mid-dorsal tubercles capped with yellow but never forming a continuous median ridge. Broad blue-grey mantle edge evenly covered with small tubercles; rhinophores yellow; foot uniformly grey without a dark stripe.
Similar species
Phyllidia varicosa has a continuous yellow-capped mid-dorsal ridge and a black stripe on the foot sole; P. ocellata lacks blue-grey pigment.
Habitat & diet
Habitat
Coral reefs, from the shallows to over 20 m.
Food
Sponges.
