Underwater Photos

Lancer Dragonet Mating Dance (Paradiplogrammus bairdi)
This tiny 3 inch fish is called the Lancer Dragonet (Paradiplogrammus bairdi). This male uses its beautifully details fins to both attract a female as well as deter other males from his territory.
Watch a video of the Lancer Dragonet in action.

A Yellowline Arrowcrab (Stenorhynchus seticornis) feeds on a Moo
Although their diet mainly consists of algae and hydroids, this Yellowline Arrowcrab will also scavenge on dead or dying creatures such as this piece of a Moon Jelly.

Leather-backed Doris (Platydoris angustipes) follows a scent tra
I have observed numerous times many different species of nudibranchs follow what could best be described as a scent trail to where eggs have been laid. Less than 6 inches up current from this Leather-backed Doris was a ribbon of nudibranch eggs.

Nudibranch eggs
This ribbon-like material measuring no more than a half an inch are the eggs of some species of nudibranch.

Bandtail Searobin (Prionotus ophryas) modified pectoral fins
The Bandtail Searobin has evolved a set of three leg-like spines in front of its pectoral fins that it uses to walk through the sand in search of prey.

View a Bandtail Searobin video as it hunts. Requires Quicktime.

Close up of a Bandtail Searobin (Prionotus ophryas)
The Bandtail Searobin is usually found in sandy and rubble environments where it combs the ground for food.

The details of a Bandtail Searobin (Prionotus ophryas) pectoral
There are perhaps numerous reasons why the Bandtail Searobin extends its wing-like pectorals. From personal observations I have noticed it extends them when a predator approaches and while actively hunting, perhaps to corral any fleeing prey.

Close view of a Bandtail Searobin (Prionotus ophryas) pectoral s
Studies have shown that the Bandtail Searobin's modified pectoral fin rays are capable of detecting chemical stimuli although they contain neither taste buds nor olfactory receptors.

Bandtail Searobin (Prionotus ophryas) blends well with its envi
This topside view of the Bandtail Searobin (Prionotus ophryas) shows its ability to blend with the sand and rubble environment in which it lives.

Developing eggs of the Seaweed Blenny (Parablennius marmoreus)
A close up view of the different developing stages of the eggs of a Seaweed Blenny. if you look closely you can see the eyes of some of the embryos still in their egg casing.

Female Seaweed Blenny laying eggs (Parablennius marmoreus)
A close view of the vent area (in front of the anal fin) of this female Seaweed Blenny and you can see eggs being dispersed along the inside walls of the blenny's burrow.

Male and female Seaweed Blenny (Parablennius marmoreus)
This mating pair of Seaweed Blenny lay and fertilize their eggs along the inside wall of their burrow.

Mating pair of Seaweed Blenny (Parablennius marmoreus)
This comical looking couple are a mating pair of Seaweed Blenny. The larger of the two is the female and the smaller the male.

View a video of these mating Seaweed Blenny.
Requires Quicktime to view.

Benthic Atlantic Longarm Octopus - Octopus defilippi
The Atlantic Longarm Octopus lives in sand or mud burrows. Its body is approximately 3 inches in width but its arms, as its name implies, make it reach lengths of up to 14 inches. This benthic octopus lives in a burrow that is less than an inch in diameter. It is able to fit through any hole the size of its parrot-like beak (approx. the same size as its eye) for that is the only hard part in its body.

Atlantic Longarm Octopus behavior - Octopus defilippi
The Atlantic Longarm Octopus (Octopus defilippi) is the most interactive of all the octopi I have encountered. This one was as curious about me as I was about it. As I would distance myself it would raise up in a Prarie Dog behavior to observe me. Whenever I reached out my finger it would grab a hold and attempt to pull me in to its burrow with an amazing amount of strength for such a small creature. I spent over an hour interacting with this wonderful octopus.