Often mistaken as a different species of nudibranch the juvenile form of Hexabranchus sanguineus, the well-known Spanish Dancer, at first glance does not display the familiar features of the adult. It certainly lacks the vivid red mantle colouration covered with the tiny white spots to which we are so accustomed to associating with this species. It is often confused with small chromodorids. However closer inspection does reveal the rolled mantle edges and the 6 separate and non-retractable gill insertions that are the external defining characteristics of this species.
In hunting for new species a different presentation of a familiar individual can be just as rewarding to record.
Details:
Photo & text by David Mullins, Flinders Reef, Moreton Island, Queensland
Payments can be paid via Paypal use gary@nudibranch.com.au
Our Nudibranch website
We embarked upon this adventure of ours while diving here on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. Upon realizing the amazing variety of nudibranchs we were seeing, we developed an appetite for not only finding as many different species as possible but identifying and learning all we could about these most amazing creatures of the sea.
nudibranch.com.au was born when a friend of Gary’s suggested we share our knowledge with the world. The site commenced in March 2003 when we set out on our quest to find, identify and record all of the nudibranchs here in our area. The ever changing sea and seasons give up new surprises every visit whether they are subtidal or intertidal.
We describe our searching and identifying component of the quest as The Treasure Hunt, and the recording thereof upon the web site as The Never Ending Story.
We welcome for inclusion on the site the findings of other workers in this area that we may not have yet recorded.
From this website a Nudibranch Identification book called Undersea Jewels - A Colour Guide to Nudibranchs was published in 2006. Gary drew up the concepts and Dr. Richard Willan suggested he could impart technical accuracy and the rest is history. The book is a 'Colour Guide'. After all that is the first thing anyone remembers about first seeing a Nudibranch.
Our Mission
LOCATE, RECORD, IDENTIFY and POST every species of OPISTHOBRANCH to be found on the Sunshine Coast Queensland, Australia. Learn more>
To LOCATE through scuba diving and intertidal searching.
To RECORD by underwater and studio/taxonomic photography (including microscopy photography) of the specimens.
To IDENTIFY these speciesthrough invaluable support fromqualified authorities in this field and developing reference resources.
To POST upon our web site not only images of the species and theirnatural history behaviour but also information concerning size abundance and localities. Additionally to disseminate to other sites information considered unusual (see Useful Resources).
Towards achieving these aims we will continue to acquire and develop the necessary equipment, resources and knowledge.
Have fun, learn and enjoy the Earth's greatest creatures!
Nudibranchs are the most ephemeral of marine creatures. They greatly vary in size, colour and shape. They can be almost invisible or very bright and easy to see. Learn more>
LOCATE, RECORD, IDENTIFY and POST every species of OPISTHOBRANCH to be found on the Sunshine Coast Queensland, Australia. 
