Dolabrifera dolabrifera is relatively common under rocks on intertidal and shallow subtidal reefs.
Sometimes they are quite hard to see on their typical background.
There can be considerable color variation.
These two very differently colored animals were next to each other under a rock.
The individual below is on a brownish egg mass, visible flattened on the rock to the left of the animal. A pair photographed in Hawaii was caught in the process of mating. They also deposited eggs, but those were more purple, matching the color of the animals.
Created 27 January 2007
Updated 13 October 2011