Several specimens of this species have been found at Kwajalein Atoll, usually buried in sand in sandy bottom seaward reef surge channels at depths of 10 to 20 meters. At least three, including the largest specimen observed, were on lagoon sand and rubble flats at 6 to 8m. There would appear to be considerable variation in color in this species, and the more I see the more I am inclined to agree with others who have suggested to me that this species and what I call Philinopsis cf pilsbryi elsewhere on this site are probably the same. P. pilsbryi also occurs in Hawaii.
Notice the small black eye visible near the anterior end on the right side of the animal below.
Here is one with a very dark pattern found at night on a Kwajalein Atoll lagoon reef near a Halimeda patch on 29 September 2007.
Created 28 January 2007
Updated 5 February 2009