Goniobranchus sp e006
15mm

This is an apparently undescribed species of Goniobranchus that is not too uncommon at Enewetak and Kwajalein Atolls. They usually live underneath dead coral rocks on lagoon reefs and pinnacles at depths of 4 to 15 meters. Of 31 specimens measured, the largest was only 15mm long. The slightly translucent orange red body allows us to see the shapes of the internal organs.

In this species, the marginal color around the anterior and posterior ends of adults is red at the edge with an orange submargin, with a wider white submarginal band that surrounds the entire body. The lateral margins sometimes lose the red and orange at the edge, but may not as seen in the photos below.

Below are two specimens feeding on a pink sponge.

The individual below is a small juvenile. The dorsum does not turn deep orange red until the animal is larger.

The individual in the two photos below was found under dead coral on a Kwajalein Atoll lagoon reef on 28 September 2008. Its orange margin is distinct and continuous around the entire animal.

The specimen in the two photos below was found on 16 November 2008 under a rock on a Kwajalein Atoll lagoon reef. Unnoticed at the time was a tiny Iblia mariana in the upper right side of the first photo. The Goniobranchus was found eating the yellow sponge at lower left.

This species also appears to eat the pink sponge below. This animal was seen on 26 June 2010 on a Kwajalein lagoon pinnacle.

The one below was found on 19 May 2012.

The pair below was found on the lagoon side of Ebwaj Island, under a rock in about 6m of water, on 20 November 2016.

Created 16 December 2005
Updated 21 July 2020

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