Scientific Name: Ardeadoris undaurum
Common Name: Golden-waved Ardeadoris

Adult Size: 25 – 55 mm
Depth Range: 8 – 30 m; most common on protected reef slopes and bommie flanks
Biotope / Habitat: Tops and sides of coral heads, rubble patches, and sponge-encrusted ledges where its prey grows
Diet: Feeds on thin, orange-to-cream sponges (family Thorectidae); sequesters sponge chemicals in its mantle for defence
Reproduction: Simultaneous hermaphrodite; mates flank-to-flank and deposits a semi-transparent yellow ribbon of eggs, loosely frilled, on hard substrate near the food sponge. Veliger larvae are planktonic before settling.
Fun Fact: The undulating golden band around the mantle edge gives A. undaurum its name (“unda aurum” = “golden wave”). When it crawls, the ruffled skirt ripples like liquid gold—an irresistible subject for macro photographers.

Smooth, ivory-white and elegantly bordered in shining yellow-orange, Ardeadoris undaurum is a living jewel on Indo-Pacific reefs. Its contrasting rhinophores and gill plume add an extra splash of colour, making this species easy to spot—and unforgettable once seen.