Spanish dancer

Scientific name : Hexabranchus sanguineus

The largest nudibranch, it can be 60 cm long. Variable colour, always in the red, orange or pink tones. Gills are distinctive, this is the only species having 6 gills, that can be withdrawn in 6 separate sheats. It lives in different environments, from the coastal bay to reef front and external reef. Nocturnal habits. If disturbed, it can swim away with the undulating mantle, recalling somehow a flamengo dancer's skirt (hence the common name).
Impossible to misidentify. Apart from the size, also the 6 gills are a diagnostic character.

Associated organisms
Often in association with the commensal shrimp Periclimenes imperator.

	Description	Author	Place	Size
	Spanish dancer and gills	MATTEO GUARDINI	Indonesia, Lembeh strait	333 kB
	Spanish dancer's eggs	MATTEO GUARDINI	Indonesia, Lembeh strait	463 kB
	Dance	DANIELE IOP	Indonesia, Lembeh strait	756 kB