Hexabranchus sanguineus
is one of the largest nudibranchs : it can grow up to 60cm in length. It is
also called the Spanish Dancer. This name is due to the animal's ability to
dance, in other words to swim for over an hour making complex movements.
Hexabranchus can be traduced by '6 gills', sanguineus signifies 'bloody' and
it refers to the Red Sea colour form, where this species was first described.
Usually, this species
can be found during the night in Indian and Pacific Oceans, as well as in
the Red Sea. Its main characteristics are :
- its very large size
- its red colour, with or without white spots
- its gills : 6 non retractable gills, separately inserted into the body wall
Red Sea
