Melibe colemani
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Mollusca
- Class
- Gastropoda
- Order
- Nudibranchia
- Family
- Tethydidae
- Genus
- Melibe
- Species
- Melibe colemani
Melibe colemani is a rare, almost transparent nudibranch whose branching, coral-like body makes it one of the hardest sea slugs to spot on the reef. Its translucent tissue is laced with a network of fine brown lines, and its back is covered in spiky, branching processes that mimic the soft coral it lives on.
Growing to only around 2-4 cm, this species was first described in 2015 and named after the famous marine life photographer Neville Coleman. Unlike most nudibranchs, members of the Melibe genus have a large oral hood that they use like a net to catch tiny crustaceans from the water.
Melibe colemani is usually found hiding on Xenia and other soft corals, where its camouflage is nearly perfect. We have encountered it in the Philippines, a world-famous macro diving destination where patient divers and sharp-eyed guides are rewarded with rare finds like this one.