Lembeh — 25 August 2026
- Location seen
- Lembeh, Indonesia
- Date seen
- 2026-08-25
Phyllodesmium tuberculatum
Phyllodesmium tuberculatum - rhinophores visible© Di Syrett / MacroDivers.com
About this species
- Current scientific name
- Phyllodesmium tuberculatum
- Order
- Nudibranchia - Cladobranchia
- Type
- Aeolidina (Aeolid)
- ID confidence
- Confirmed
- Genus
- Phyllodesmium
- Species
- tuberculatum
- Average size
- 30 mm
- Colours
- blue, cream, grey
- Body shape
- With Appendages
- Rhinophores
- Smooth
- Gills
- Cerata
- Similar species
- Other Phyllodesmium species that also mimic soft coral.
Geographic Distribution
Tropical Indo-Pacific. Originally discovered and described in the Philippines - but is now documented further east.
Identification
Body, cerata and rhinophores are all a blue/grey colour. It mimics the colour of the soft corals in which it lives. The rhinophores are almost smooth but are slightly wrinkled.
Behaviour / Habitat
Extremely cryptic so very hard to find.
General Notes
Considered to be one of the solar-powered nudibranchs. Formally described in 2009.
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.