DORID NUDIBRANCHS
HEXABRANCHIDAE
Caribbean Spanish Dancer
Hexabranchus morsomus
Size
To 12cm

Description
:
Orange or red with white/ yellow spots or mottling. Gill is large, composed of several multi-pinnate leaves.

Ecology
There are only 2 species in this entire biological family and this is the only one in Antigua! They breathe through a "naked gill" shaped into branchial plumes in a rosette on their backs.
It is found under rocks or coral rubble, primarily on living reefs.Depthsfrom 0 to 33 m (0-100ft). Defensive behavior consists of the unrolling of the mantle margins to expose bright white areas followed by swimming by contracting the body and mantle margin.
Feeds on sponges.  It may use chemical defenses derived from the sponge it eats and use the chemical compounds to defend itself from potential fish predators
The undulating swimming behaviour gives rise to the common name.

Life Cycle
They are hermaphroditic, thus have a set of reproductive organs for both sexes, but they cannot fertilize themselves
    Ecological Descriptors
Habitat Size (cm) Diet Behaviour Sex 
R, Co 12 Spo, Noct I SH
Caribbean Spanish Dancer
Swimming
Caribbean Spanish Dancer
Swimming
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