Phyllidia Undula

Undulating Phyllidia
Phyllidia Undula

Black and white lines wind across its back in loose, unruly waves, wrapping around rows of raised golden tubercles like little beads stitched into the pattern. A warm yellow-orange mantle peeks through between the markings, with bright yellow rhinophores completing the look. It’s less spotted than its relatives and far more into drawing outside the lines.

• Size: Up to around 55 mm
• Range: Western Indian Ocean; from the Red Sea and East African coast to Réunion and Mauritius
• Habitat / Depth: Rocky reefs, sandy bottoms and reef slopes, recorded from shallow water to around 27 m
• Diet: Feeds on sponges

Photo by Hsini Lin