Cyerce elegans Bergh, 1870
55mm

Cyerce elegans is common in the Marshalls, and we have observed specimens at Enewetak, Kwajalein and Bikini Atolls. It has also been found at Rongelap by John and Lynette Flynn and at Majuro by Ken Cone and Beth Van Zummeren. It lives under dead coral rocks on lagoon reefs at depths of 1-15 meters or tucked into Halimeda plants in lagoon algae patches. Seven measured specimens ranged from 12 to 55mm in length. Most often the animals are translucent whitish like the first one below, but some individuals are darker.

The next three photos show Majuro specimens photographed by Ken Cone.

The one below has much more heavily lined dorsal paddles than is typical.

The specimen below was more translucent yellowish.

Brown.

Color ranges all the way to the reddish brown figured below.

This one had lost its paddles, but it looks as though they are trying to grow back.

Create 22 January 2007
Updated 7 November 2021

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