Hexabranchus sanguineus Ruppell & Leuckart 1828

spanish dancer

Hexabranchus sanguineus, spanish dancer

Above is a Spanish Dancer with its juvenile colouring

Hexabranchus sanguineus, spanish dancer

Spanish dancers, are usually pure red, mottled, or occasionally yellow. As the name suggests, Hexabranchus sanguineus has six gills. There is no gill pouch into which the gills can retract.

 Hexabranchus sanguineus, spanish dancer

Spanish dancers can swim freely. They feed on a variety of sponges. Their eggs are bright pink
Family =  Hexabranchidae Distribution =  Tropical Indo-west Pacific, Red Sea Max size =  40cms, one of the largest nudibranchs