Home Acknowledgments Conventions Glossary Maps References Links Articles Thumbnails Species list Family Next species _______________   Additional Photos   side   egg mass _______________   GALLERY	Gymnodoris sp. #6   Maximum size:  14 mm (Kay, 1979). Identification:  This is a small species that rarely exceeds 8 mm in length. It has a cream body with orange spots. The rhinophores are rod-like when fully extended and there is a white patch between the eye spots that connects to irregular white patches near the gills. The rhinophores and gills are usually tipped with orange. The rod-like rhinophores and less prominent white pigment posterior to the gills distinguish it from young Gymnodoris okinawae. Natural history:  Gymnodoris sp. #6 is a moderately common species found in moderately exposed to exposed rocky habitats and Halimeda kanaloana beds from < 1 to 15 m (< 3 to 49 ft). It appears to feed on small elysiids (Note 1). It lays a small, bright orange egg mass that hatches in about eight days in the laboratory. Distribution:  Maui and Oahu: widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific. Taxonomic notes:  This is the species that Kay, 1979 lists as Gymnodoris plebeia (Bergh, 1877a). It was first reported from Hawaii in Kay & Young, 1969. Photo:  CP: 6.5 mm:  Hekili Point, Maui; Oct. 30, 2007. Observations and comments: Note 1:  On Nov. 21, 1995 we observed one regurgitate an unidentified Elysia. Over the years, one each of three Elysia spp (Elysia pusilla, Elysia sp. #2 and Elysia sp. #6) have "disappeared" while held in dishes with this species. On  Dec. 8, 2003, we observed one eat an Elysia pusilla engulfing it rapidly "on contact."
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