Mysterious ‘Spanish Dancer’ Spotted in Australia – But What is This Vibrant Blob?

The vibrant red hue of this sea slug is not just for show. Similarly to other nudibranch, the bright color serves as a cautionary signal to potential predators of its toxic nature. The toxins come the Halichondria sponges, which are a part of the sea slug’s diet.

Despite the fact that Spanish dancers are hermaphrodites, meaning that they have both male and female reproductive organs, they do not self-fertilize, but reproduce sexually. The eggs are a red to pinkish coloration and are laid out in a distinctive rose-looking formation (and are also toxic).