Calamari Squid by käptncook

Starfish and Seastars

In the clear Mediterranian waters, this fireworm, or Eurythoe complanata, rests on a coral reef. The seemingly beautiful creature is actually named for the painful sting one recieves upon grazing one of those small, white bristles. (Wiki.)

photo by: marinediscovery.arizona.edu

Some pistol shrimp species share burrows with goby fishes in a symbiotic relationship. The burrow is built and tended by the pistol shrimp, and the goby provides protection by watching out for danger. When both are out of the burrow, the shrimp maintains contact with the goby using its antenna. The goby, having the better vision, alerts the shrimp of danger using a characteristic tail movement, and then both retreat into the safety of the shared burrow. So far this association has been observed in species that inhabit coral reef habitats. (Wiki.)

Alpheidae is a family of caridean snapping shrimp characterized by having asymmetrical claws, the larger of which is typically capable of producing a loud snapping sound. Other common names of these species include pistol shrimp or alpheid shrimp. The snapping shrimp grows to only 1–2 inches (3–5 cm) long. It is distinctive for its remarkably disproportionate large claw, larger than half the shrimp’s body. The claw can be on either arm of the body, and unlike most shrimp claws does not have pincers at the end. Rather, it has a pistol-like feature made of two parts. A joint allows the “hammer” part to move backward into a right-angled position. When released, it snaps into the other part of the claw, emitting an enormously powerful wave of bubbles capable of stunning larger fish and breaking small glass jars. The snap creates a cavitation bubble that generates acoustic pressures of up to 80 kPa at a distance of 4 cm from the claw. As it extends out from the claw, the bubble reaches speeds of 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) and releases a sound reaching 218 decibels. (Wiki.)

Clown Anemonefish, Indonesia
Photo: Tim Laman

Clown anemonefish nestle amid the tentacles of a sea anemone off the Tukangbesi Islands in Indonesia. The clear waters surrounding coral reefs have encouraged the evolution of color and pattern among the inhabitants.

Dog Shark

Great White Shark

Hector’s Dolphins

The arrow crab, is a species of marine crab. The body of the arrow crab is triangular, and the rostrum is drawn out into a long point with serrate edges. The legs are also long and thin, up to 10 cm (3.9 in) across, and the animal’s carapace may be up to 6 centimetres (2.4 in) long. Colouration is variable in this species: the body may be golden, yellow or cream, marked with brown, black or iridescent blue lines; the legs are reddish or yellow, and the claws are blue or violet. It is nocturnal and territorial. It eats small feather duster worms and other coral reef invertebrates. They are commonly kept in reef aquariums to control bristle worm population.(Wiki.)

PHOTO BY: Nick Hobgood

Dolphins Breaching

Humpback Whale and Young

Risso’s Dolphin by Bill Bouton

The bowmouth guitarfish, mud skate, or shark ray (Rhina ancylostoma) is a species of ray related to guitarfishes and skates, and the sole member of the family Rhinidae. It is found widely in the tropical coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific region, at depths of up to 90 m (300 ft). Highly distinctive in appearance, the bowmouth guitarfish has a wide, thick body with a blunt snout and large, shark-like dorsal and tail fins. The line of its mouth is strongly undulating, and there are multiple thorny ridges over its head and back. It has dorsal color pattern of many white spots over a bluish gray to brown background, with a pair of prominent markings over the pectoral fins. This large species can grow to 2.7 m (8.9 ft) long and 135 kg (300 lb). (Wiki)

Heron