Nembrotha sp 5

Indo-West Pacific. Documented locations include Indonesia and the Philippines.

Typical Nembrotha with a robust body shape and multipinnate branchial plumes which are non-retractable. The rhinophores are perfoliate and both gills and rhinophores are red or brown. The background colour of the dorsum is dark and there are white ridges running along the body with blotches. Some purple colouration may be visible on the tail.

May be found as shallow as 2 meters and up to 30 meters. Feeds on ascidians (sea quirts).

Previously recognised as a colour variant of N. livingstonei. The two species may be identified by the presence of a white patch on the head (Y or star shaped) behind the rhinophores and white patch below the gills on species 5. N. livingstonei does not have this. This is currently an un-named species. Nembrotha sp 5 is the species number listed in the book Nudibranch & Sea Slug Identification Indo-Pacific 2nd Edition.