Family
Spanish dancers
Hexabranchidae
- Species in the gallery
- 2
- Genera
- 1
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Description
Hexabranchidae is a dorid nudibranch family (superfamily Chromodoridoidea, suborder Doridina) containing the single genus Hexabranchus, best known for the Spanish dancer, Hexabranchus sanguineus. It is widespread in the Indo-West Pacific, including the Red Sea, and is among the largest nudibranchs, with individuals reaching several tens of centimetres. Hexabranchus feeds on sponges and uses sponge-derived compounds for chemical defence, also passing them to its large red, rose-shaped egg ribbons. When disturbed it can swim by rhythmically flapping its broad mantle, and it often carries commensal emperor shrimps.
Identification
A very large, soft dorid with a broad, wavy mantle edge, usually red, orange or mottled, that is often rolled up while crawling and unfurled in a 'dancing' swim. The name refers to the gills, which are six separate branched plumes, each retractile into its own pocket, rather than a single ring around the anus. Its size, flexible frilly mantle and swimming behaviour make it hard to confuse with any other reef dorid.
Genera
2 species
Sources (3)
Share link: https://seaslugs.org.il/family/Hexabranchidae/