Spanish Dancer - Oceana

Marine Life Encyclopedia

Corals and Other Invertebrates

Spanish Dancer

Hexabranchus Sanguineus

Distribution

Tropical Western Pacific and Indian Oceans

eCOSYSTEM/HABITAT

Coral and Rocky Reefs

FEEDING HABITS

Foraging Predator

TAXONOMY

Class Gastropoda (Snails and Slugs), Order Nudibranchia (Nudibranchs)

     

    Though this species spends most of its time crawling along the reef surface, it will swim when threatened, violently flapping its external gills and other appendages and displaying its brightest warning colors. This behavior reminded some observers of a flamenco dancer, earning the Spanish dancer its common name.

    Spanish dancers are specialized predators that prefer to eat sponges and concentrate compounds found in their prey to provide their own chemical defense and defense for their eggs. Like other nudibranchs, Spanish dancers are simultaneous hermaphrodites; all individuals are both male and female. Individuals cannot self fertilize, however, and they always require a mate. Once eggs are deposited on the reef surface, neither parent provides care. The eggs do contain a dose of the defense chemicals that the adults use to ward of predation, and they are brightly colored, an attempt to warn potential egg predators of this defense.

    Population trends in Spanish dancers are not currently known, but there is no evidence to suggest that human activities threaten this species. It is important for scientists to continue to study Spanish dancers, though, as this species lives on coral reefs, an ecosystem vulnerable to human-induced change.

    Engage Youth with Sailors for the Sea

    Oceana joined forces with Sailors for the Sea, an ocean conservation organization dedicated to educating and engaging the world’s boating community. Sailors for the Sea developed the KELP (Kids Environmental Lesson Plans) program to create the next generation of ocean stewards. Click here or below to download hands-on marine science activities for kids.

    Kids Environmental Lesson Plans

     

    Get Involved

    Donate Today

    SUPPORT OUR WORK TO PROTECT THE OCEANS BY GIVING TODAY

    With the support of more than 1 million activists like you, we have already protected nearly 4 million square miles of ocean.

    Donate Now

    TAKE ACTION NOW

    Support policy change for the oceans

    Decision-makers need to hear from ocean lovers like you. Make your voice heard!

    Sign Now

    VISIT OUR ADOPTION CENTER

    SYMBOLICALLY ADOPT AN ANIMAL TODAY

    Visit our online store to see all the ocean animals you can symbolically adopt, either for yourself or as a gift for someone else.

    Shop Today

    DOWNLOAD OCEAN ACTIVITIES

    HELP KIDS DISCOVER OUR BLUE PLANET

    Our free KELP (Kids Environmental Lesson Plans) empower children to learn about and protect our oceans!

    Learn More

    FEATURED CAMPAIGN

    Save the Oceans, Feed the World

    We are restoring the world’s wild fish populations to serve as a sustainable source of protein for people.

    Learn More

    More CAMPAIGNs

    Protect Habitat

    Bycatch

    Plastics

    View All

    Contact

    Oceana International Headquarters
    1025 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 200
    Washington, DC 20036 USA

    General Inquiries
    +1(202)-833-3900
    info@oceana.org

    Donation Inquiries
    +1(202)-996-7174
    wavemaker@oceana.org

    Press Inquiries
    +1(202)-833-3900
    press@oceana.org

    Oceana's Efficiency

    Become a Wavemaker

    Sign up today to get weekly updates and action alerts from Oceana.

    SHOW YOUR SUPPORT WITH A DONATION

    We have already protected nearly 4 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea life - but there is still more to be done.

    Donate Now

    QUICK LINKS: