Berthellina citrina (Rüppell & Leuckart, 1828)

Berthellina citrina is common in the Marshalls, usually found under rocks on lagoon reefs and pinnacles at depths of 1 to at least 15 meters. We have seen specimens at both Kwajalein and Enewetak Atolls. They are active at night and eat a variety of sponges and hard corals.

The animal below had just been eating the red sponge. You can see a dug out area in the sponge just back from under the anterior end on the left side of the photo.

It occasionally comes in a yellow color form that some believe might represent a separate species.

Created 27 January 2007
Updated 24 June 2008