Neoclinus stephensae

Species infomation

Distinctive features:

1. White stripe behind eye.
2. Head heavily speckled with white.
3. 3 pairs of large, heavily branched orbital cirri.
4. May have pupil-sized ocellus on front dorsal fin.

Physical description:

Branched nasal cirri. Pair of 2 orbital cirri, large and heavily branched. 2 extruding papillae on nape.

Colouration:

Colour varies greatly, from yellow to red, to a light brown to black. Lower head lighter in brown individuals. White stripe behind eye always present, but can be faint in some. Head with heavy white speckling. Lips heavily striped. Midflank darker, upper body same colour as head and lower body pale. Midflank with black blotches. Lower and upper body with blotches similar in colour to midflank. Membrane between first few spines pale, can have a small, pupil-sized ocellus.

Size:

Reaches 10.0 cm.

Habitat:

Found in holes and empty shells on rocks.