It is reported from the Indo-Pacific Ocean including Australia.

[3] It has been synonymised with the Mediterranean species Doriopsilla areolata in the past.

Around the southern African coast it is found from the Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula to Sodwana Bay, from the intertidal to at least 30 m.[4] In the light of recent discoveries regarding the Doriopsilla species of California it is likely that this is a species complex.

The externally digested sponge cells are then pumped into the mouth.

Its appearance is mimicked by a sea snail, Trivia millardi.