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Hexabranchus sandwichensis (Gray, 1850)
![Hexabranchus sandwichensis: egg mass](../photos/Hexabranchus-sandwichensis-3e.jpg)
egg mass
Photo: Mike Severns: Aug. 1988.
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![Hexabranchus sandwichensis: egg packets](../photos/Hexabranchus-sandwichensis-3ze.jpg)
egg packets
shows egg packets embedded in ribbon shortly after laying
Photo: Kelly McCaffrey: Maalaea Bay, Maui; Feb. 13, 2022.
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![Hexabranchus sandwichensis: egg mass](../photos/Hexabranchus-sandwichensis-3h.jpg)
egg mass laid on highest available point
Photo: PF: Molokini Islet; May 13,
2009.
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![Hexabranchus sandwichensis: laying eggs](../photos/Hexabranchus-sandwichensis-3zd.jpg)
laying eggs
![Hexabranchus sandwichensis: laying eggs](../photos/Hexabranchus-sandwichensis-3zb.jpg)
laying eggs, detail
![Hexabranchus sandwichensis: competed egg mass](../photos/Hexabranchus-sandwichensis-3zc.jpg)
completed egg mass
shows large animal laying eggs at night; completed mass photographed the following day
Photo: Pam Madden: about 200 mm: Ho'okena, Big Island; Dec. 19 & 20, 2021.
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![Hexabranchus sandwichensis: hatching, whole ribbon](../photos/Hexabranchus-sandwichensis-3zj.jpg)
![Hexabranchus sandwichensis: hatching, detail-1](../photos/Hexabranchus-sandwichensis-3zi.jpg)
![Hexabranchus sandwichensis: hatching, detail-2](../photos/Hexabranchus-sandwichensis-3zg.jpg)
![Hexabranchus sandwichensis: hatching, detail-3](../photos/Hexabranchus-sandwichensis-3zh.jpg)
hatching egg mass
shows egg packets breaking up to release larvae; Favorinus japonicus
also present (top, right with egg mass in 1st photo; center, left in
2nd photo): Although there's some uncertainty whether the mass belongs
to this species or H. aureomarginatus, the width of the ribbon in the 1st photo and Shera's comments on populations at the location support H. sandwichensis.
Photos: Shera Chee Mercer: North Shore, Oahu; July 14, 2022.
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![Hexabranchus sandwichensis: egg mass with algae, side](../photos/Hexabranchus-sandwichensis-3zl.jpg)
egg mass with algae, side
![Hexabranchus sandwichensis: egg mass with algae, top](../photos/Hexabranchus-sandwichensis-3zk.jpg)
egg mass with algae, top
![Hexabranchus sandwichensis: egg mass with algae, detail](../photos/Hexabranchus-sandwichensis-3zm.jpg)
egg mass with algae, detail
shows egg mass colonized by micro-algae; There's some uncertainty in assigning this mass to H. sandwichensis (John reports that most Hexabranchus in the area are H. aureomarginatus). However, the height of the ribbon is more typical of H. sandwichensis masses. Also, note the Favorinus japonicus egg mass in the "top" photo (white spiral).
Photo: John Horn: Ahukini Pier, Kauai; Sept. 19, 2022.
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