This is probably a juvenile Thorny-back cowfish due to the prominent spine in the middle of its back. A closely related cowfish, the Longhorn, does not have the spine.


 

I caught this goby cleaning out its den.


 

 
 
  

 

These two ghostpipefish, perhaps Robust or Rough-snout, proved rather difficult to focus on and photograph together. At first, I thought the larger individual was covered with algae or hydroids, but the closeup photos show a distinct pattern of 'skin flaps' all along its body. The smaller has only a few of these skin flaps on the underside of his (the male is usually smaller) snout.



 

This Cockatoo Waspfish (2.5 cm) is relatively 'clean' for a waspfish. My reference book says that this species is known to mimic rotting leaves and even simulates rotting spots and encrusted algae.


















While most Dragonets are exceptionally colorful, this white species (2 cm) was found at 5 meters.


 

These two crabs and nudibranch were all found on the same sea cucumber. While the crabs are commensal to their 'host' cucumber, we were quite surprised to find the Pleurobranchus forskali hitching a ride. The sea cucumber also has several small anemone attached.



 

 

 

Tasi Tolu Sunday

We found a rare and amazing "Weedy Scorpionfish" this morning at Tasi Tolu, 18 meters. It may be Rhinopias frondosa, but I'm not quite sure of the species name.





 

 

Eye of a Porcupine Puffer

 

Lionfishes


 

Tasi Tolu Saturday

Ornate Ghostpipefish (Solenstomus paradoxus)

Tasi Tolu was a chilly 26C today and quite silty, but Diane, Kate, Lendell and I found some fantastic creatures, including the find de jour, this amazing Ornate Ghostpipefish. It had a mostly transparent body with yellow, red, orange, purple and white accents. Definitely the coolest found to date.



 

 

Nembrotha cristata feeding on a tunicate.

 

The 6 millimeter frogfish and proof