Phidiana indica
(Bergh, 1896)

Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: AEOLIDINA
Family: Glaucidae

DISTRIBUTION

Throughout the tropical Indo-West Pacific. Grows to approximately 20mm long.

PHOTO

Koumac, northern New Caledonia, October 1993. PHOTO: Bill Rudman.

In some specimens the background colour on the head can be an intense opaque orange rather than the translucent colour in this photograph. Also placed in the genera Learchis, Caloria, Hervia and Facelina by various authors. The correct generic placing cannot be resolved at present.

Reference:
• Bergh, L.S.R. (1896). Eolidiens d'Amboine. Voyage de MM. M. Bedot et C. Pictet dans l'Archipel Malais. Revue Suisse de Zoologie, 4: 385-394, Pl. 16.

Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 1999 (March 4) Phidiana indica (Bergh, 1896). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/phidindi

Related messages


Phidiana indica from the Gulf of Thailand

October 31, 2007
From: Somsri Choojan

I found this one in a bay in Koh Tao. Is it Phidiana militaris? Could you please help me to identify this specimen?

Locality: Aow Leuk, Koh Tao, 5 m, Thailand, Gulf of Thailand, 13. October 2007, Rocky. Length: 30 mm. Photographer: Somsri Choojan.

Best Regards,
Nid

schoojan@yahoo.com

Somsri Choojan, 2007 (Oct 31) Phidiana indica from the Gulf of Thailand. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21052

Dear Nid,
This is a species of Phidiana but it is P. indica. One easy way to distinguish these two species is that in P. indica the head is orange with white lines while in P. militaris it is white with orange lines.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2007 (Oct 31). Comment on Phidiana indica from the Gulf of Thailand by Somsri Choojan. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21052

Phidiana indica at Siladen Island

August 29, 2007
From: E. Elvan Ampou

Dear Bill
I just want to asked about this picture of a nudibranch. I took the picture during when diving when i was a student in Master in Knowledge and Management of the Biodiversity of Indonesian Coral Reefs, Polytechnical University of The Marche - Ancona, Italy. Precisely my diving activity at Siladen Island was at Bunaken National Park. I really hope your explanation about this picture because the nudibranch was settled on the sponge. 

Locality: Island, 5 metres, Indonesia, Sulawesi Sea, 17 March 2005, Sponge. Length: 2 inches. Photographer: Ampou, E.E..

Thank you very much for your kind attention.
Best Regards,
Elvan - SEACORM

elvan_ampou76@yahoo.com

Ampou, E.E., 2007 (Aug 29) Phidiana indica at Siladen Island. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20573

Dear Elvan,

Phidiana indica is a hydroid feeder, but it is often seen crawling over other colonial animals such as sponges and corals and also over sea weeds. There is no significance in this, the nudibranch is basically treating these other organisms as a piece of rock or a pathway. You'll note in your photo that there are small crustaceans all over this sponge as well.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2007 (Aug 29). Comment on Phidiana indica at Siladen Island by E. Elvan Ampou. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20573

Phidiana indica from North Sulawesi

June 1, 2007
From: Sebastian Ferse

Dear Bill,
here is another critter from North Sulawesi. I guess this is a Flabellina, but I am not sure which species. I found it on a current-exposed reef top in 12m depth (that's also why the picture is pretty blurry, sorry) on a rock with rich growth of coralline algae, sponges and ascidians.

Locality: Tanjung Parigi, 12 m, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean, 30 March 2007, current-swept deep reef-top. Length: 3 cm. Photographer: Sebastian Ferse.

Sebastian Ferse

sebastian.ferse@zmt-bremen.de

Ferse, S.C.A., 2007 (Jun 1) Phidiana indica from North Sulawesi. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/19795

Dear Sebastian,
This is Phidiana indica.

Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2007 (Jun 1). Comment on Phidiana indica from North Sulawesi by Sebastian Ferse. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/19795

Phidiana indica from Andaman Sea, Thailand.

March 7, 2007
From: Vie Panyarachun

Dear Dr. Rudman,

Found this creature during a dive at Richelieu Rock (located near Ko Tachai, Similan Islands Marine National Park and Surin Islands Marine National Park, Thailand). Would like to know the ID please.

Locality: Richelieu Rock, approx.20 msw, Thailand, Andaman Sea, 21 February 2007. Photographer: Vie Panyarachun.

Thank you so much for your help.
Sincerely,
Vie Panyarachun

vpanyarachun@hotmail.com

Panyarachun, V., 2007 (Mar 7) Phidiana indica from Andaman Sea, Thailand.. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/19547

Dear Vie,

There is a very heavily pigmented specimen of Phidiana indica. One good  character of this species is the ceratal colour pattern, with a reddish base, yellow tip, and blue median patch on the outside edge, obscuring the black digestive gland duct.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2007 (Mar 7). Comment on Phidiana indica from Andaman Sea, Thailand. by Vie Panyarachun. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/19547

Phidiana indica from Oman

December 19, 2006
From: Jasper Lansink

Hello Bill,

I have some more unknown nudibranchs. In 10 dives I found about 13 species of which around 8 I could determine using your site.

The pictures show 2 variations of the same slug (I think). One has a white body and the base of the cerata is orange, the other one has a full orange body. Both have similar blue and yellow cerata. Possibly there are more varations and is that the reason I could not find the correct species.

Locality: Muscat, Bandar Khairan, 15 meters, Oman, Gulf of Oman, 19 september 2006, Coral, Sea, No currents. Length: 4 cm. Photographer: Jasper Lansink.

Thanks,
Jasper

jasper@aquadonna.nl

Lansink, Jasper, 2006 (Dec 19) Phidiana indica from Oman. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/18985

Dear Jasper,
This is Phidiana indica. As you'll see in the attached messages, there is quite a bit of colour variation in this species. Since we know very little about the fauna of Oman, when you get a moment I would quite like to see photos of the other species you have seen there. It couold give us some useful information on colour variation and distributions.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Dec 19). Comment on Phidiana indica from Oman by Jasper Lansink. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/18985

Phidiana indica from Oman Musandam

February 7, 2006
From: Jean-Philippe Borges


Hello Bill,
I found this nudibranch in October 2005 during my dive trip in Mudandam (Sultanate of Oman). Can you identify this specie ?
Thanks

Locality: Musandam, Sultanate of Oman, Indian Ocean. Depth: 10-15 meters. Length: 8-10 cm. October 2005. Photographer: Jean-Philippe Borges

Jean-Philippe Borges

filou78@freesurf.fr

Borges, J.P., 2006 (Feb 7) Phidiana indica from Oman Musandam. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15756

Dear Jean-Philippe,
This is Phidiana indica
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Feb 7). Comment on Phidiana indica from Oman Musandam by Jean-Philippe Borges. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15756

Phidiana indica from Bali

February 1, 2006
From: Marli Wakeling

Hi Bill,
Here's a Phidiana indica that was out for a nightime stroll along the sand at Tulamben, Bali.

Locality:  Tulamben "The River", Bali, Indonesia. Depth: 20 feet. Length: 15 mm. 25 July 2005. Sandy bottom. Photographer: Marli Wakeling

Cheers,
Marli

scubamarli@gmail.com

Wakeling, M., 2006 (Feb 1) Phidiana indica from Bali. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15707

Dear Marli,
It certainly looks out of place on the bare sand
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Feb 1). Comment on Phidiana indica from Bali by Marli Wakeling. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15707

Phidiana indica from Indonesia

June 3, 2005
From: Ian Jones

I am unable to identify this nudibranch in any of my guide books. Any ideas what it is?

Locality: Lembeh Straits, N. Sulawesi, Indonesia. Depth: 30 feet. Length: 3 cm. May, 2004. Mouth of the straits on a wall. Photographer: Ian Jones

Thanks,
Ian Jones
Brentwood, Tennessee, USA

Ian.Jones@Vanderbilt.edu

Jones, I., 2005 (Jun 3) Phidiana indica from Indonesia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/13933

Dear Ian,
This is Phidiana indica. The colour pattern on the head and the cerata and characteristic.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2005 (Jun 3). Comment on Phidiana indica from Indonesia by Ian Jones. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/13933

Phidiana indica from Malaysia

November 19, 2003
From: Janshir

Please help me to identify this sea slug, as most of the divers on this island couldn't help me.
location : Redang island, east cost of west Malaysia.
depth : 18 m
Date : 1st August 2003

Teng Janshir

tengjanshir@yahoo.com

Janshir, 2003 (Nov 19) Phidiana indica from Malaysia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/11354

Dear Janshir,
This is Phidiana indica.
Best wishes
Bill Rudman


Phidiana indica from eastern Australia

April 15, 2003
From: Leanne & David Atkinson

Dear Bill,
Is this Phidiana indica? Are the eggs on the sponge near it possibly from it? Sorry about the quality of the photos. It was quite tiny, 5mm, and the lowest I could go was 2:1.

Date: 2 March 2003
Location: Fly Point, Port Stephens, NSW Australia
Depth: 4m
Time: 10:00 am
Tide: High, 1.73m
Temp: 17 degrees Celsius

Regards,
Leanne & David Atkinson

atk@hunterlink

Atkinson, L. & D., 2003 (Apr 15) Phidiana indica from eastern Australia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/9531

Thanks Leanne & David,
The slug is P. indica, but I am pretty sure the egg mass is from some dorid.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (Apr 15). Comment on Phidiana indica from eastern Australia by Leanne & David Atkinson. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/9531

Phidiana indica from Port Stephens

May 26, 2002
From: David Harasti

Dear Bill,
Here is a photo of an animal taken at the Pipeline in Nelson Bay, Port Stephens, NSW - Australia.

The depth was 8 metres, water temp was about 22 degrees. I think the animal could be Phidiana newcombi, - would this identification be correct? I have only ever seen the species on the one occasion.

Kind regards,
David Harasti
www.webone.com.au/~diving

diving@webone.com.au

Harasti, D., 2002 (May 26) Phidiana indica from Port Stephens. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7014

Dear Dave,
This is a colour form of Phidiana indica. If you look at the other messages on the Forum you will see that this species is quite variable in colour.
Cheers,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (May 26). Comment on Phidiana indica from Port Stephens by David Harasti. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7014

Phidiana indica from Christmas Island

May 13, 2002
From: W.B. Rudman

Here is another record of Phidiana indica from John Hicks' Christmas Island, Indian Ocean collections.

This specimen was 23 mm long alive.

PHOTO:
AM C127587, 19 March 1981, off theatre underhang of coral rock where small white hydroids are common, 10 m, Christmas Is., Indian Ocean. Photo: John Hicks

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B. , 2002 (May 13) Phidiana indica from Christmas Island. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6593

Phidiana indica from Christmas Island

May 4, 2002
From: W.B. Rudman


Here is some information and photos on Phidiana indica from John Hicks' Christmas Island collections.

PHOTO:
UPPER: AM C132438, 30 October 1981, District Officers's Point., Christmas Is., Indian Ocean.
LOWER: AM C131043, 20 & 30 mm long alive, 29 July 1981, on anchor chain on buoy in Cove, 25m, Christmas Is., Indian Ocean. Photos: John Hicks

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B. , 2002 (May 4) Phidiana indica from Christmas Island. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6617

Phidiana indica from Bali

March 19, 2002
From: Stuart Hutchison


Hi Bill,
Here's two shots of Phidiana indica from Bali, Indonesia. Lengths approx 40mm. Depths approx 15m.

Regards,
Stuart

stuart@stuarthutchison.com.au

Hutchison, S., 2002 (Mar 19) Phidiana indica from Bali. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6362

Thanks Stuart,
Bill Rudman


Phidiana indica from the Coral Sea

March 18, 2002
From: Stuart Hutchison

Hi Bill,
Here's a shot of Phidiana indica from the Coral Sea, Australia. Approx 40mm long. Depths approx 15m.

Regards,
Stuart

stuart@stuarthutchison.com.au

Hutchison, S., 2002 (Mar 18) Phidiana indica from the Coral Sea. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6300

Thanks Stuart,
Bill Rudman


Phidiana indica from Papua New Guinea

October 28, 2001
From: Marli Wakeling


Hi Bill,
Here is another nudibranch from Papua New Guinea. I did see this one quite frequently in shallower areas. This was found on Albatross Channel, home of the famous Pygmy Sea Horses. I believe it is a Caloria indica.

Dive Site: Albatross Channel, near Kavieng, Papua New Guinea
Date: July, 2001
Depth: 15 metres
Length: 30 mm

Marli.

scubamarli@excite.com

Wakeling, M., 2001 (Oct 28) Phidiana indica from Papua New Guinea. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5526

Dear Marli,
This is Phidiana indica, Caloria being considered an unnecesary extra genus. As you'll nptoce from the other photos on the Forum this species tends to walk quite quickly in a straight line so most photos of it are long and thin. So that you can see some detail I have included a close-up of the head end as well.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2001 (Oct 28). Comment on Phidiana indica from Papua New Guinea by Marli Wakeling. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5526

Flabellina? from NE Sulawesi

August 8, 2001
From: Jim Anderson

Dear Dr. Rudman,
Taken at 3 metres on 21 June 01 at Engine Point, NE Sulawesi. The animal was approx 20 mm long. Can you ID please.
Regards,
Jim A

jander4454@aol.com

Anderson, J., 2001 (Aug 8) Flabellina? from NE Sulawesi. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/4997

Dear Jim,
This is Phidiana indica
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 2001 (Aug 8). Comment on Flabellina? from NE Sulawesi by Jim Anderson. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/4997

Phidiana indica from Fiji

July 19, 2001
From: Ken Tucker

I'm having trouble identifying this nudibranch, shot in Fiji this March. It was between 1.0" to 1.5" and found while I was diving on the west central arm of the Vuya Barrier Reef south of Vanua Levu and West of the Namena Barrier Reef
Perhaps you can help.

Thanks much,
Ken

ken@kilili.com

Tucker, K., 2001 (Jul 19) Phidiana indica from Fiji. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/4825

Dear Ken,
This is quite a common aeolid throughout the Indo-West Pacific. Its name is Phidiana indica.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2001 (Jul 19). Comment on Phidiana indica from Fiji by Ken Tucker. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/4825

Phidiana indica from Hong Kong

July 6, 2001
From: Leslie Chan

Dear Bill,

Could you identify this nudibranch which I photographed in Hong Kong.
Details: 12m, Tsim Chau, Hong Kong. 25 August 2000.

Thanks
Leslie Chan

leslie@lesmart.com

Chan, L., 2001 (Jul 6) Phidiana indica from Hong Kong. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/4752

Dear Leslie,
This is Phidiana indica. I will be posting your other photos over the next few days.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2001 (Jul 6). Comment on Phidiana indica from Hong Kong by Leslie Chan. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/4752

Records of Phidiana indica

February 9, 2001
From: Bernard Picton


Hi Bill,
I see that Phidiana indica is being reported by divers quite regularly. I've enclosed some photos in a separate message to show the differences between this and Phidiana militaris.

UPPER PHOTO: Lai Cho Chung, Mirs Bay, Hong Kong - 17 Apr 1983
LOWER PHOTO: Liberty wreck, Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia - March 1989

Bernard

bernard.picton.um@nics.gov.uk

Picton, B., 2001 (Feb 9) Records of Phidiana indica. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/3746

Thanks Bernard,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2001 (Feb 9). Comment on Records of Phidiana indica by Bernard Picton . [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/3746

Phidiana indica from the Solomon Islands

February 2, 2001
From: Mary Jane Adams


Hi Bill,
Here are two aeolids I photographed in the Solomon Islands in November, 2000. Are these both Phidiana indica? The UPPER PHOTO has the colors I usually see in this area. I shot it at Anuha Island in the Florida group. [Solomon Ids] I think the LOWER PHOTO might be the orange headed color variety you mention in your description of P. indica. I found it on a night dive near the wreck of the Ann in Sunlight Passage, Russell Islands [Solomon Ids].

Thanks for all the great information you so faithfully provide.
Best regards,
Mary Jane

divepng@yahoo.com

Adams, M.J., 2001 (Feb 2) Phidiana indica from the Solomon Islands. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/3649

Dear Mary Jane,
Yes these are both colour forms of P. indica
Bill Rudman


Phidiana indica from Great Barrier Reef

August 14, 2000
From: Stuart Hutchison

Dear Bill,
what's the name of this guy. He was found at Wheeler Reef (Great Barrier Reef - Australia)in March 2000 at 10m depth on coral.

Regards,
Stuart

hutchco@tpg.com.au

Hutchison, S., 2000 (Aug 14) Phidiana indica from Great Barrier Reef. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2868

Dear Stuart,
This is Phidiana indica, a fairly common aeolid found throughout the tropical Indo-West Pacific.
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 2000 (Aug 14). Comment on Phidiana indica from Great Barrier Reef by Stuart Hutchison. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2868

Phidiana indica from South Africa

August 8, 2000
From: Valda Fraser

Dear Bill
A small beauty! I hope you'll be able to help with identification.
Locality: Aliwal Shoal, Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal, SOUTH AFRICA - 15m
Date: July 2000
Size: 15mm
Thanks.
Regards
Valda Fraser

iti04937@mweb.co.za

Fraser, V., 2000 (Aug 8) Phidiana indica from South Africa. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2814

Dear Valda,
This is Phidiana indica which is a pretty little aeolid with a wide Indo-West Pacific distribution.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 2000 (Aug 8). Comment on Phidiana indica from South Africa by Valda Fraser. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2814

Phidiana indica from Thailand

May 1, 2000
From: Narongpon Sittithaweepat

Dear Bill
I am not sure whether this specimen is Caloria indica . I found it in 60 feet at Surin Island. The photo is by Dr. Thon Thamrongnawasawat. So could you please identify it for me.
Thank you again for your kindness,
Narongpon

chromodorid@thaimail.com

Sittithaweepat, N., 2000 (May 1) Phidiana indica from Thailand. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2332

Dear Narongpon,
Yes this is Caloria indica, but it now considered to be Phidiana indica.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 2000 (May 1). Comment on Phidiana indica from Thailand by Narongpon Sittithaweepat. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2332

Phidiana indica from Papua New Guinea

July 18, 1999
From: Grey McNeil

Dear Bill,
Could you identify this photo please. The details are:
RASCHS REEF, MADANG, Papua New Guinea, 1cm long, 7m, January 1999.

Thanks,

Grey McNeil.

GREYMACIND@bigpond.com

McNeil, G., 1999 (Jul 18) Phidiana indica from Papua New Guinea. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/993

Dear Grey,
I am pretty sure this is a colour variant of Phidiana indica. This form with an orange body is the normal colour form at Lord Howe Island and had been recorded from New Caledonia, so it is good to get it further afield.

Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 1999 (Jul 18). Comment on Phidiana indica from Papua New Guinea by Grey McNeil. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/993

Re: Phidiana indica? from Sulawesi

March 19, 1999
From: Lindsay Warren

Dear Bill,
With regard to your query about the blue spiralling band on the rhinophores of the Phidiana - this is a thin blue coloured band which spirals up the rhinophore which is white.  This seems to be a colour pattern rather than a raised feature.  Unlike the photo of Phidiana indica which you posted along with the shot I sent through, 'our' specimen had a translucent but
distinctly pink body.  Perhaps the colours change as it matures.
    
Lindsay.

100014.2112@compuserve.com

Warren, L., 1999 (Mar 19) Re: Phidiana indica? from Sulawesi. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/699

Dear Lindsay,
I would be interested in a magnified shot of the spiral pattern on the rhinophores. It may be of help. As you will appreciate we know very little about the colour variation displayed by many tropical species, and there are still a lot of undescribed species to find. My best guess would still be P. indica.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 1999 (Mar 19). Comment on Re: Phidiana indica? from Sulawesi by Lindsay Warren. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/699

Phidiana indica from Sulawesi

March 4, 1999
From: Lindsay Warren.

Dear Bill
Any help with this aeolid from Tukang Besi, SE Sulawesi, Indonesia, phtographed by Adam Powell.

Length: 5 mm. Rhinophores have a fine blue spiralling band on a white background, cerata are white with a blue dot in the centre, long
white oral tentacles, translucent pale pink body. Found at a depth of 6 m on a dead section of submassive coral covered in algae, sheltered.

Thanks,

Lindsay Warren.

100014.2112@compuserve.com

Warren, L., 1999 (Mar 4) Phidiana indica from Sulawesi. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/634

Dear Lindsay,
I am pretty sure this is a very juvenile specimen of Phidiana indica. The general shape and the blue ceratal patch are fairly distinctive. At this size, most juveniles have still to develop their full colour pattern. I must say I am not sure what you mean about the "blue spiralling band" on the rhinophores.
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 1999 (Mar 4). Comment on Phidiana indica from Sulawesi by Lindsay Warren.. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/634

Caloria indica feeding

September 9, 1998
From: John Hoover

Dear Dr. Rudman,

Do you know what Caloria indica feeds on? Hydroids, perhaps? C. militaris is supposed to feed on hydroids.

Thank you,

John Hoover
Honolulu, Hawaii
1 September 1998

hoover@hml.org

Hoover, J., 1998 (Sep 9) Caloria indica feeding. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/220

Dear John,
Most aeolids feed on hydroids or related cnidarians. As far as I know all the species in the "Phidiana" group of species do, although some tend to eat other nudibranchs if you keep them together in the same jar when collecting. I reported Phidiana indica from Tanzania feeding on the hydroid Salacia tetracythara (Lamouroux) (see Rudman,W.B., 1980: Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 68(2): 139-172) and Robilliard observed it feeding on the hydroid Pennaria in Hawaii (see Baba, K., 1969: Publications of the Seto Marine Biological Laboratory, 16(6): 399-403.)

If you are studying these animals perhaps you would like to let us know what you are doing .. Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 1998 (Sep 9). Comment on Caloria indica feeding by John Hoover. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/220