Scrambled-Egg Nudibranch

Scrambled-Egg Nudibranch

Phyllidia varicosa

This large nudibranch looks like a reef adorned with scrambled eggs—its elongated, ridged body is slate-gray to blue, with rows of yellow-tipped tubercles and black separating bands. A bright yellow rhinophore pair adds a pop of color. Its bold, toxic appearance serves as a clear warning: approach with caution, not touch.

• Size: Up to 70 mm
• Range: Widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea and Hawaiian Islands
• Habitat / Depth: Subtidal coral reefs, typically at depths of 10–20 m
• Diet: Feeds on sponges, using its radula to scrape and consume sponge tissue for nourishment and chemical defense.