All of the Alvadesia tamatoa documented here were found in (or just outside) a shallow, old traditional fishpond in North Kihei in less than 2 meters of water. It appeared to be just another sponge or tunicate, but upon the slightest touch, its rhinophores popped up and its strange trumpet-like branchial gill became quite prominent. In this case, the trumpet form is an illusion created by the tell-tale white band forward of the branchia It has unusual and varied papillae — some tentacular (see image below), some more broken and low-profile. This is a white speckled, pinkish/brownish rubbery textured discodorididae. It comes in a few colours and is oddly varied in flecking, papillae size and structure. It has undergone a couple of taxonomic changes in the past few years and has been referred to previously as the Thordisa albomacula and the Avaldesia albomacula. See Sea Slugs of Hawaii for more detailed information. To 30mm or just over an inch.
