Lembeh — 4 September 2026
- Location seen
- Lembeh, Indonesia
- Date seen
- 2026-09-04
Phestilla goniophaga
Goniopora-eating nudibranch
© Di Syrett / MacroDivers.com
Published
About this species
- Current scientific name
- Phestilla goniophaga
- Common name
- Goniopora-eating nudibranch
- Previous genera
- Tenellia
- Order
- Nudibranchia - Cladobranchia
- Type
- Aeolidina (Aeolid)
- ID confidence
- Probable
- Genus
- Phestilla
- Species
- goniophaga
- Average size
- 20 mm
- Colours
- brown, cream
- Body shape
- Oval
- Rhinophores
- Smooth
- Gills
- Cerata
- Similar species
- Phestilla melanobranchia
Geographic Distribution
Tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific.
Identification
Pale brown body with rounded hump in the centre of its back which mimics the centre/mouth of the coral polyp. This nudibranch has a lot of long cerata - up to 16 rows with up to 23 cerata per row. This makes it difficult to identify as the nudibranch can be larger than the coral. The smooth rhinophores are also not particularly visible.
Behaviour / Habitat
Found on or very close by to the Goniopura coral that it feeds on.
General Notes
Phestilla goniophaga is genetically very similar to melanobranchia - but as the both mimic the coral colour that they feed on there is no mistaking them. P. melanobranchia is either bright orange or black.
Our Sighting
About our records
All sightings and photographs on this page are from our own dives. Locations shown are places where we have personally recorded this species. About MacroDivers.