You won’t see this reclusive bottom dweller much during the day, but at dusk, the Green Spotted Mandarin (Synchiropus picturatus) gets its groove on. Hip-Hopping between coral branches, it swims by rapidly pulsating its fins, like a hummingbird at a honeysuckle convention. The Mandarin makes its home in the…
You would think that something red and orange with electric blue spots would be easier to see. But the crafty Coral Hind (Cephalopholis Miniata) blends quite well into the Coral Reefs of the Indo-Pacific and the Polynesian Islands, ambushing and eating anything that fits into its grouper-sized maw. Oblivious…
Figuratively standing its ground, the Imperator Angelfish (Pomacanthus Imperator) is a fiercely territorial creature that inhabits the northern part of the Great Barrier Reef throughout the Coral Sea, Red Sea, Maldives, and Hawaii. Its markings were used on the faces of Polynesian Island Chiefs as symbols of status and…
This colorful inhabitant of the Indo-Pacific waters really shows its stripes when predators are ready to pounce. It gives the impression of being an easy target. However with a little “slight of fin” maneuver, the Regal Angelfish (pygoplites diacanthus) directly faces its foe causing the stripes to disappear and…
Among the most fascinating creatures to adorn the reefs from the Sea of Japan to Australia to Vanuatu is the Blue-ringed Octopus (Hapalochlaena lunulata). Despite its donut-shaped brain and three hearts, there is no “plush toy” potential in this creature. The palm-sized swimmer of the snail family has a…
Though barely more an inch long, the Leaf Gilled Sea Slug (cyerce nigricans) is the icon of the Great Barrier Reef. Supersized on posters and brochures, it represents the undersea curiosities that fill the seas from Madagascar to Okinowa. The brilliant leaf-like projections that cover the slug and aid…
When the sun goes down, the moves heat up as the Durban Dancing Shrimp (rhynchocinetes durbanensis) rhythmically sway to and fro in the “back alleys” of the coral reefs. These intricately patterned nocturnal be-boppers aren’t looking for trouble. They’re simply enjoying each other’s company as they gracefully – albeit…
Queen Angelfish (holicanthus caliaris) reign over the tropical western Atlantic waters from the Bahamas to Brazil, sporting their vibrant blue-ringed crown. Like royalty, they keep to themselves, occasionally giving a nod and a wave to a passing diver. It appears (despite tabloid rumors) they pair up for life. In…
For Clown Fish (Amphiprion Ocellaris), it is all about who you know. These inhabitants of sheltered lagoons in the Eastern Indian Oceans and Western Pacific Oceans live among sea anemones for their entire lives. Covered by a protective mucous they are unaffected personally by the anemones stinging tentacles and…
Unlike its namesake, the Napoleon Wrasse (Cheilinus undulates) is neither diminutive in size nor a brilliant military strategist. However, it is quite impressive at 6 feet in length, weighing in at 400 pounds and sporting a delicate pattern of bright green, electric blue and purple hues. The Napoleon Wrasse’s…
