The specimen from Kwajalein differs somewhat from that of the original description and from specimens we have seen in the Philippines (particularly the banded oral tentacles), but we think it is close enough to consider the same. So far, the only specimen photographed from the Marshalls was brought up from a seaward reef cave in 65 meters of water at Kwajalein Atoll on 8 December 1982. Since the photo was taken in poor lighting and is pretty terrible, color notes on the living animal follow. The body is elongate and tubular, with about 10 pairs of cerata bunches. Body color is translucent light gray, with middorsal white pigment that widens and narrows at approximately regular intervals along the body. The wider portions each have a large oval light gray spot. There are vertically elongate cream-colored to yellow spots along the foot. Oral tentacles are long and pointed, with the lower half translucent white with irregular rings of yellow and the upper half red. Cephalic tentacles are longer and colored the same as the oral tentacles. Anterior edge of body between the cephalic tentacles is red. Rhinophores are about two-thirds the height of the cephalic tentacles, and are so close set that they seem to extend approximately from same base, and have red tips. Cerata are curved. The lower portion of the cerata are translucent white with irregular broken cream rays, and each bears a subapical wide red ring. Apex white.
One other specimen has been seen on the Kwajalein Atoll seaward reef, but it was not photographed. This species apparently eats Alicia sea anemones.
Created 8 January 2007
Updated 23 August 2013