Nembrotha cristata Bergh, 1877

Nembrotha cristata is sporadically common at Kwajalein Atoll, but was never located despite extensive searching at Enewetak. At Kwajalein, it prefers lagoon pinnacles, where it lives in ledges and under rocks and eats a dark green colonial tunicate. In September, 1998 and August, 2000, we saw dozens feeding on the green tunicates on top of a shallow (2 meter depth) lagoon pinnacle near Onemak Island. In September, 2002, and other more recent trips to the same pinnacle, there were none. Populations do seem to come and go.

The large individual below was eating the small green tunicates near the lower right side of the photo.

Created 3 January 2007
Updated 20 September 2008