Phidiana sp. e551

We originally included these with Phidiana indica, even though there are some pretty drastic differences in color on the cephalic tentacles and head. After some discussion with experts and some reflection on the differences in coloration, we finally decided it would be safer to keep them separate for now. We have found specimens at Enewetak and Kwajalein Atolls in a variety of lagoon reef, pinnacle, and seaward reef habitats. One specimen was found crawling on an Enewetak Atoll midlagoon buoy line at a depth of 35 meters. Lengths of the animals have ranged from 15 to 30mm.

Created 14 September 2008