Chinese Dragon Nudibranch

Description:

Also known as the Poison Bristle Nudibranch. Previously referred to as Pteraeolidia ianthina -- but it has been discovered recently (2015) that P. ianthina is exclusively found in Australian waters. One of the most common aeolids, this nudibranch has many clusters of cerata on either side of its dorsum. Body color can be pale to dark purple, but brown and green specimens have also been reported. The fat rhinophores and elongated oral tentacles are banded with violet and white. The brown-and-green pigmentation is due to the presence of symbiotic zooaxanthellae, which continue to photosynthesize. They can grow to as long as 7cm. This species can inflict a painful sting to humans.

Habitat:

Found in shallow coral reefs across the Indo-Pacific region.

Notes:

Spotted these two together (each measuring roughly 8cm and 7cm), and another one (10cm) during a day dive at East Point, Bgy. Tagpopongan, Samal Island. I was between 13 to 20m when I spotted them. First time I came across this nudibranch was at Malapascua (my previous spotting: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/939... ).