Melibe colemani, also called the Phantom Nudibranch, is a dream find for nudibranch enthusiasts. It was recently spotted in the Red Sea, 9,000 km away from its known habitat in the Coral Triangle.
This unique nudibranch actively hunts small crustaceans, using its expandable oral hood to catch prey. Its translucent body, with a network of white tubes, looks otherworldly. Underwater photographers love it, but its rarity and excellent camouflage make it extremely hard to find.
Previously, Melibe colemani was known only from Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines—countries in the Coral Triangle, the heart of global marine biodiversity. Now, Egypt joins this exclusive list.
Andrey Ryanskiy, a citizen scientist and underwater photographer, found the nudibranch on a coral reef in Dahab, South Sinai, during a night dive with his wife, Irina. Andrey has lived in Egypt for several years and dives frequently in both the Red Sea and Southeast Asia. His extensive experience photographing Melibe colemani in Indonesia and the Philippines helped him recognize this iconic species right away.
Andrey is also the author of a popular book on Red Sea marine life and photo guides on Indo-Pacific marine animals. His discovery adds a new chapter to the story of the Red Sea’s incredible biodiversity.
