Little White Frogfish

Squids in the Current

Lendell and I had a pretty aerobic dive at Tasi Tolu last night, but still saw some incredible creatures, including these three squids who seemed to having a difficult time of their own fighting the current. I'm sure this is not really true...they could have easily darted off into the darkness. Notice the cool spot pattern in the third photo.

Great Night Dive at Tasi Tolu

Puffer Buffer

Sweet Clownfish

Black Frogfish - The Stretch

Tasi Tolu Sunday

Mity Scary

Money Cowrie

This is Erosaria moneta, commonly known as the Money Cowrie as it was once used as currency. Can you find his eyeball in the second photo?

Not just 2, but 3

Diane and I found yet another Weedy/Lacy Scorpionfish at Tasi Tolu on Sunday. The two new additions lead us to believe that our first resident was actually a Lacy Scorpionfish, not a Weedy Scorpionfish. I realize this may result in a difficult night's sleep for many UWET readers, and I offer my deepest (about 20 meters) apologies.

Another Fantastic Frogfish

From Tasi Tolu Saturday

Unidentified Nudi

Hidden Frogfish

Phylodesmium

Not sure about the species name of this Phylodesmium.

Weedy Scorpionfish X 2

Our resident Weedy Scorpionfish now has a mate! The larger of the two (rear of first photo) has been hanging out at Tasi Tolu for many months now. Diane and I went for a visit yesterday and discovered she (?) has a new beau, and he's really cool.

Whip Coral Shrimp

Hey Nick, What's This?

A Blustery Saturday

Compensation for a blustery, rainy Saturday.

A Message from the Sea Slug Forum

I sent this image to Bill Rudman at the Sea Slug Forum because we were unable to identify it. Here is his response:


Dear Brian,

In general shape this is a species of Trapania. I can't recall one with a colour pattern like this so I assume it is another unnamed species.

One interesting feature in your photo is that scattered over the reddish sponge are whitish blobs which each have a pair of small black spots in them. I have ringed one of them. There are almost certainly small animals called kamptozoans or entoprocts whhich we now know are the food of species of Trapania. These kamptozoans are often found living on certain sponges, which is why the Trapania are often found on such sponges.

Best wishes,

Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2007 (Feb 28). Comment on Unidentified Trapania from Tulamben by Brian Francisco. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find.cfm?id=19513

Presto Chango

Seagrass Shrimp