[3] This species is found in the north Atlantic Ocean off the United Kingdom, Ireland and France.

It is also reported from South Africa but DNA evidence suggests that this is a distinct, as yet un-named, species.

It is known from 10–30 m.[4] The South African whip fan nudibranch is a well-camouflaged animal which mimics the gorgonians on which it feeds.

Paired branching projections down the length of the body resemble the feeding polyps of its prey species of sea fan.

It lays a thin zigzag spiral of eggs around the main axis of these sea fans.