Striated phyllidiopsis (Phyllidiopsis striata)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Mollusca · Class: Gastropoda · Order: Nudibranchia · Family: Phyllidiidae · Genus: Phyllidiopsis.

Accepted name: Phyllidiopsis striata · Authority: Bergh, 1889 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 536722.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Phyllidia empelia Yonow, 1984; Phyllidia mediocris Yonow & P. J. Hayward, 1991; Phyllidiella striata (Bergh, 1889).

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=536722 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (SeaLifeBase)

Measured values published by SeaLifeBase for Phyllidiopsis striata. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 2 cm · Habitat zone: benthic · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

SeaLifeBase notes: Assumed maximum length from Ref. 844.

Source: SeaLifeBase species summary (SpecCode 87405) — https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Phyllidiopsis-striata.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

146 georeferenced occurrence records for Phyllidiopsis striata are published through GBIF from 19 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 61 distinct locations from a sample of 146 records, omitting 3 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Maldives (44); Philippines (19); Australia (13); Vanuatu (10); Thailand (9); Marshall Islands (8); Mayotte (8); Indonesia (5); Japan (5); Guam (4); Madagascar (4); Papua New Guinea (4); Seychelles (4); New Caledonia (3); Micronesia (Federated States of) (2).

Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Natal; Mozambican Exclusive Economic Zone.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 4596658) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=4596658&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=536722 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Phyllidiella striata can grow to a length of 35 mm in length. The rhinophores are black with pink bases and the oral tentacles are pale grey, sometimes streaked with black.

The dorsal surface of the body is black, with pink, grey, greenish or bluish tubercles forming longitudinal rows. The front-most tubercles are set obliquely, sloping towards the centre of the back. The ventral surface is a uniform pale grey.

Phyllidiella striata occurs in the tropical central and western Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean, at depths down to about 50 m. This species was first described from the Philippines. This name is often erroneously used for Phyllidiopsis xishaensis.

This species feeds on sponges. It has neither a radula, jaws, or a stomach, and feeds by turning part of its gut inside out, using its digestive enzymes to break down the sponge's tissues, and sucking in the liquified product. Like other nudibranchs, Phyllidiella striata is a hermaphrodite. The genital pore is on the right-hand side of the foot just behind the head.

A pair of individuals move close to each other while facing in opposite directions, and transfer sperm to each other. Each is then able to produce eggs. There is no larval stage and the embryos undergo direct development into juveniles. This species exudes a milky-white substance containing terpenes from its dorsal gland; this is derived from toxic substances in the sponge it feeds on and acts to deter predators.

Source: Wikipedia: Phyllidiella striata — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phyllidiella_striata (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.