The OTHER Spanish Dancer! This is actually the “Spanish Dancer” that is most commonly seen by snorkelers.   It was originally described as Hexabranchus pulchellus, but has since been distinguished as one of the two Hawaiian hexabranchus species. Although they are primarily nocturnal, these animals were found in broad daylight on Maui’s South and North Shores in relatively shallow water (less than 3 metres or 10 ft).  As illustrated, the mature animals can vary significantly in color, from pinkish with white mottling to a deep dark red with pretty much no markings at all.  Juveniles are even more varied in colour. The young juveniles can closely resemble the Decorated Nudibranch (Goniobranchus decorus).  The egg cluster, was photographed in about 25 ft of water, on the top of a pinnacle of rock and coral between Ulua and Wailea Beach, South Maui.  These pinkish whorls of eggs are almost as stunning as the animals themselves, but carry high level of toxins to deter potential predators.  The only animal that seems to thrive on them is the Egg Eating Nudibranch.  On the Sea Slugs of Hawaii site, Cory Pittman and Pauline Fiene provide some excellent information and photographs of their various growth stages, some history and taxonomic information that’s beyond the scope of this site. If you are unsure which Spanish Dancer you have found, check out  Hexabranchus aureaureomarginatus. 

Related Images: