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Phyllidia ocellata

Ocellate Phyllidia

© Di Syrett / MacroDivers.com

About this species

Current scientific name
Phyllidia ocellata
Common name
Ocellate Phyllidia
Order
Nudibranchia - Doridoidea (Dorids)
Type
Porostomata (Radula-less dorids)
ID confidence
Confirmed
Genus
Phyllidia
Species
ocellata
Average size
70 mm
Colours
white, black, yellow, orange
Pattern
Spots, Tubercles
Body shape
Oval
Rhinophores
Horizontal
Gills
Hidden
Similar species
Phyllidia sp

Geographic Distribution

Widespread - found in Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean.

Identification

A very varied nudibranch. Most have yellow to orange main colour with large black spots (often circled with white) with a white tubercle in the middle. But some are only yellow or orange, some yellow and white, some yellow and black. Also the large spots may be lines, blotches or missing altogether. However, they always have the large tubercles (white or yellow/orange) and are usually out in the open so quite easy to find. Rhinophores lamellate and fully retractile.

Our Sightings

Tofo — 4 November 2025

Location seen
Tofo, Mozambique
Date seen
2025-11-04

Lembeh — 9 September 2025

Location seen
Lembeh, Indonesia
Date seen
2025-09-09

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.