Spanish Dancer Nudibranch

Details

Hexabranchus sanguineus, the iconic Spanish dancer, is one of the largest and most conspicuous Indo‑Pacific nudibranchs. When disturbed it unfurls its mantle edge and swims with undulating “skirts”, which gives the species its common name. A member of family Hexabranchidae, it feeds primarily on sponges and displays striking aposematic coloration.

Ecology & Behaviour

• Diet: spongivorous; individuals may sequester sponge‑derived defensive chemicals, making them unpalatable to predators.

• Activity: largely nocturnal, hiding in crevices by day and foraging at night.

• Swimming: escapes by unfurling the mantle and undulating side‑to‑side in the water column.

• Reproduction & eggs: simultaneous hermaphrodite; produces the famous bright‑red, rosette‑like egg ribbon attached to hard substrates.

Identification

Body colours range from scarlet and orange‑red to wine‑red, often with mottling or spots. Mantle edges are deeply frilled; a dorsal plume of gills and rhinophores (sensory “horns”) are evident. Juveniles/regionals may show paler or more orange hues.

Size & Longevity

• Length: commonly 20–30 cm; very large individuals to ~40–60 cm have been reported.

• Life: typically several months to about a year, influenced by temperature and food.

Range & Habitat

Widespread across the tropical Indo‑Pacific (Red Sea to Hawaii), on reefs, reef slopes and lagoons from ~1–30+ m.

Role & Threats

• Ecological role: contributes to sponge community turnover; a high‑visibility flagship for reef biodiversity.

• Threats: habitat degradation, marine heatwaves and disturbance from handling/harassment by divers.

IUCN: generally Not Evaluated (NE) at the global Red List level.