Ardeadoris tomsmithi is a common species in Hawaii. There was never any problem seeing one or more specimens on a typical day or night dive at Makua or Pupukea. However, they seemed especially common at Puako, Hawaii, where they were the most abundant chromodorid nudibranch in the ledges and caves off the first short dropoff.
Sometimes they could be found apparently eating a black sponge.
At Puako, they were frequently on the ceilings of caves and overhangs nestled among the Tubastraea corals.
Created 20 April 2009
Updated 1 July 2012