Halgerda toliara has following distinctive characteristics :
- the translucent white body with reticulate pattern of yellow ridges
- the presence of tiny yellowish white pustules near the mantle edge
- the rhinophores and gills are white tipped with black

Halgerda toliara can be distinguished from all other similar Halgerda species by the lack of black spots on the mantle.
Halgerda toliara can be mistaken for Halgerda diaphana. But the rhinophores and gills are white dotted with black in H. diaphana.

African Indian Ocean