Scrambled Egg Nudibranch

Family:

Phyllidiidae

Scientific Name:

Phyllidia varicosa (Lamarck, 1801)

Other Common Names:

Varicose Phyllidia, Varicose Nudibranch, Varicose Sea Slug.

Average Size:

Typically 2.5 to 3 inches, with some specimens reaching 3.5 inches.

Distribution:

The Philippines and Indo-Pacific region, and one of the most common phyllidiids found in Hawaiian waters.

Identification:

The body of Phyllidia varicosa is firm, black in color and covered with raised light purple-blue horizontal ridges topped with hard yellow or orange bumps on the back, which makes it conspicuous to spot and identify (view photo).

Characteristics:

This species and other phylliidids have a trait of excreting a toxic mucus when disturbed that has an extremely pungent odor. This poisonous excretion can foul up the water with its nasty smell, and is deadly to all other marine animals.

Diet:

P. varicosa from around the island of O'ahu in Hawai'i prey on Hymeniacidon species sponges, which are poisonous. Typical for the Phyllidiidae family, these sea slugs have a somewhat symbiotic relationship with the sponges they eat by storing the sponge's toxin in their own bodies, then in turn use it for their own defense mechanism.

Aquarium Suitability:

A highly toxic animal that is NOT recommended for any aquarium!

Related Family Phyllidiidae Species Photos:

• Found in Hawaiian and nearby surrounding island area waters, such as at Midway Atoll:
  • Phyllidiella pustulosa and rosans.
    
  • Phyllidiopsis fissuratus and sphingis.
    
  • The rare Phyllidia polkadotsa, and a similar and perhaps rarer Hawaiian species Phyllidia scottjohnsoni.

• Found in Philippine and Indo-Pacific waters, includes P. varicosa, sphingis, polkadotsa, and scottjohnsoni above, and:
  
  • Phyllidia babai, exquisita and ocellata.
    
  • Phyllidiella nigra and rudmani.
    
  • Phyllidiopsis cardinalis, shireenae and striata.