Lembeh — 1 September 2026
- Location seen
- Lembeh, Indonesia
- Date seen
- 2026-09-01
Chromodoris alcalai
Alcala's Chromodoris
© Di Syrett / MacroDivers.com
About this species
- Current scientific name
- Chromodoris alcalai
- Common name
- Alcala's Chromodoris
- Previous names
- Chromodoris dianae
- Order
- Nudibranchia - Doridoidea (Dorids)
- Type
- cryptobranchia
- Genus
- Chromodoris
- Species
- alcalai
- Average size
- 60 mm
- Colours
- white, black, blue, yellow, orange
- Pattern
- spots, stripe, blotches
- Body shape
- oval
- Rhinophores
- horizontal
- Gills
- external gill plume
- Similar species
- Chromodoris dianae and other Chromodoris species.
Geographic Distribution
Western and Indo-Pacific.
Identification
Until 2021 this species was thought to be Chromodoris dianae. Molecular research has separated the two species. Alcalai has a distinct 'smiling face' pattern and the gills are white at the base and orange/yellow towards the tips with a very noticeable change. C dianae has more random markings, the gills are orange down to the base with white on the inner side and it may be pure white (alcalai is often bluish with tiny white spots). The mantle border is white (and may have yellow spots). The perfoliate rhinophores are retractile as are the gills.
Behaviour / Habitat
Found on coral reefs, rubble and sand where they eat sponges.