Sunday, September 30, 2007

Unknown

This is one strange creature! It was swimming, pulsing through the water and then landed. Once on the bottom it continued to pulse and squirt and jerk around, finally settling and opening up to reveal mollusc-like membranes. We would appreciate any help with identification.


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Robust Pipefish - CLICK ON IT !

You may have to click on the image and enlarge it in order to see the detail. Not of the pipefish, but of the warm water radiating up from the sea bed. I suspect that this geothermal heat is one of the reasons Tulamben is so rich in marine life.

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Saturday, September 29, 2007

Harlequin Shrimp


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Spanish Dancer

Saw this Spanish Dancer at the end of a dive...just about the time my camera battery was looking for the power outlet.


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Partner Goby and Shrimp

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Whip Coral Shrimp

These two whip coral shrimp were 'normal-size', hanging out at the base of the whip coral. But check out the next photo.
























At the top of the whip coral were three tiny shrimp, no bigger than a few milimeters and jumping around like crazy. They would actually jump off the whip coral and swim as far as 15cm from the coral. And check out the photo...this shrimp that's only about 2-3mm big, has a parasite attached to his side. Click on the photo for a larger image.

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Piggy Back G-Shrimp

These G-Shrimp are huge! 2cm.

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Ghost Shrimp from Tulamben

These photos are of "mother" ghost shrimp with lots of babies hanging on. I found several species while diving in Tulamben last week including some that were blue and pink (photos are not great).


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Saturday, September 15, 2007

Sandy Bottom Saturday

Diane, Lendell and I finally made our return to Sandy Bottom today after nearly a year. The site is once again covered with a blanket of green algae...perfect hiding places for lots of small species.