Intertidal Invertebrates of the Monterey Bay Area, California
Compiled & photographed by Gary McDonald, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California, Santa Cruz
Del Monte Beach, Monterey Co., CA; May 1998.
Description: Ground color deep, vivid purple (somewhat paler in occasional individuals). A medial stripe of yellow-gold on dorsum, and a similar stripe antero-laterally on either side of the dorsum. A band of yellow-gold on margin of dorsum, and an inner band of white. Rhinophores purple (usually somewhat darker than dorsum) with 16-20 lamellae. Branchial plumes 10-14, unipinnate, violet to purple (usually somewhat darker than dorsum) .
Size: Typically about 25mmin length, but may reach 64mm.
Notes: Quite rare in the intertidal in Monterey Bay area. Feeds on sponges such as Aplysilla glacialis, Gellius sp., & Haliclona sp.
La Jolla, San Diego Co., CA; 25 Jun 1975; 24mm total length.
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 5 Feb 1986.
Monterey Breakwater, Monterey Co., CA; 17 Aug 1978; 37mm total length.