Ardeadoris cruenta

Description:

This colorful nudibranch has a pale lemon-colored body with a thick bright yellow band around its mantle, which is edged by a thin white line. Its mantle and foot are frilly. There are red dots in a circular pattern on its dorsum next to the mantle edge. Both its rhinophores and gills have the same pale lemon color as its body, although there is some color variation among individuals. It feeds on sponges and can reach a length of at least 5cm. This species has similar coloring to Ardeadoris rubroannulata, but that species lacks the red dots present in A. cruenta. Its name comes from the Latin word "cruentus", which means "stained with blood". This species was formerly referred to as Glossodoris cruenta.

Habitat:

This nudibranch is found in the Western Pacific Ocean. It is not a common species.

Notes:

I spotted this superb specimen at a depth of about 15m. It was most probably feeding as it was on a sponge and stayed put the whole time I was photographing it. It was approx. 2cm or so.