Chromodoris annulata can be easily recognized according to following characteristics :
- the mantle is pale, covered in yellow spots and bordered with purple
- the rhinophores are purple
- the gills are triangular in cross section and bordered with purple
- there is a ring around rhinophores and another one around gills. Some specimens from the Arabian Gulf have a purple line joining these two rings
Some specimens (seen in Thailand) have white mantle without yellow spots.

Red Sea