Phyllodesmium longicirrum

Scientific name : Phyllodesmium longicirrum

Huge aeolidacea (12 cm), white with golden brown spots scattered along the body and the cerata.
The golden-brown spots and the size make it easy to identify, in particular if compared with the closest species, Phyllodesmium briareum.

Associated organisms
Often seen while quickly moving, it feeds on soft corals. This species can incorporate the symbiotic zooxanthellae of its prey, and transfer them undigested on the cerata. The zooxanthellae continue to live in symbiosis with the nudibranch, that receive extra nutrition from the photosynthesis products.