We have found specimens of Caloria indica at Enewetak and Kwajalein Atolls in a variety of lagoon reef, pinnacle, and seaward reef habitats. At Kwajalein, it seems to prefer living around shallow seaward reef Millepora coralheads, where it appears to graze on hydroids in ledges around the Millepora. Lengths of the animals have ranged from 15 to 35mm. Another animal we are calling Caloria sp. e551 may also represent Caloria indica, even though there are some differences in color on the cephalic tentacles and head. This species is sometimes placed in the genus Phidiana. Caloria indica was first reported in the Marshalls from Enewetak and Kwajalein Atolls as Phidiana indica by Johnson & Boucher (1984).
The circular structures behind the rhinophores below are the egg masses of a parasitic copepod.
The specimen in the two photos below was photographed on a Kwajalein lagoon reef at a depth of about 7m on 24 May 2009.
The small specimen below was found on hydroids growing under a floating dock in Kwajalein Harbor.
Long tail.
Created 8 January 2007
Updated 12 December 2015