Marine Life I've Encountered Underwater
Photos and descriptions of marine life encountered during dives. Behavior, habitats, and interesting facts.
Phyllidia varicosa
Phyllidia varicosa is a large, colourful sea slug (nudibranch) of the family Phyllidiidae. The body is elongated-oval with 3–6 longitudinal ridges on the back bearing yellow-tipped tubercles; the ridges and tubercle bases are usually bluish-grey or blue with dark lines between them. The foot sole often has a clear dark longitudinal stripe. It lives on coral reefs and rocky areas, feeds on sponges and uses their chemicals for defence; it is considered toxic and has warning coloration.
Phyllidia varicosa
Pineapple sea cucumber
The pineapple sea cucumber is a very large holothurian of the family Stichopodidae, living on sandy areas and among coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific. It is notable for its size and firm, "armoured" body with many pointed star-shaped papillae in rows of 2–3. Coloration is usually warm grey-brown to reddish-orange with darker patches. It feeds on organic matter from the sediment by passing the surface layer of the bottom through its mouth.
Thelenota ananas
Pinecone soldierfish
A soldierfish with a silvery-pink body and large scales, red fins and a dark streak on the gill cover ending in a spot at the base of the pectoral fin. Large eyes; mostly active at night and found near reef shelters.
Myripristis murdjan
Raccoon butterflyfish
The raccoon butterflyfish (lunula) is a reef fish of the family Chaetodontidae, widespread in the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is recognised by its "raccoon mask" — a black band through the eye with a white edge — and a black spot on the tail base. The body is oval and strongly flattened; main colour is yellow with white areas and oblique dark reddish or brown streaks on the sides. It is usually seen alone, in pairs or small groups on reefs and in lagoons, and feeds on various invertebrates and sometimes coral polyps.
Chaetodon lunula
Red-breasted wrasse
The red-breasted wrasse (redbreast wrasse) is a reef fish of the family Labridae, found in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific, including the Red Sea. It has a deep, moderately flattened body and a large head with thick lips. Coloration changes with age and phase: juveniles are usually pale with several dark vertical stripes; adults and terminal males are more contrasting, with a reddish-orange "breast" on the head and forebody and broad black-and-white horizontal bands behind. It lives on lagoon and outer reefs among coral, sand and rubble, feeding mainly on hard-shelled invertebrates (crustaceans, molluscs, sea urchins).
Cheilinus fasciatus
Red lionfish
The red lionfish (zebra lionfish) is a venomous reef fish of the family Scorpaenidae. It is easily recognised by its long, fan-like pectoral fins and dorsal spines with venom glands. Coloration is contrasting: white vertical stripes alternate with red, maroon or dark brown. By day it often hides in crevices and under reef overhangs; it hunts mainly at dusk and at night, ambushing small fish and crustaceans. A sting from its spines is very painful and can cause a severe reaction.
Pterois volitans
Redtail butterflyfish
The redtail butterflyfish (also known as the Pakistani butterflyfish or collare butterflyfish) is a reef fish of the family Chaetodontidae from the Indo-West Pacific. It has a deep body and short snout; coloration is brownish-olive with a "netted" pattern (pale scale centres and dark edges). The head is dark with white marks near the snout and a broad white vertical band behind the eye ("collar"); the tail fin is bright red or orange-red. It is usually seen in pairs or small groups on the reef edge and upper slope, and feeds on coral polyps and other invertebrates.
Chaetodon collare
Dusky parrotfish
The dusky parrotfish (Scarus niger) is a reef fish of the family Scaridae, found across the Indo-Pacific region including the Red Sea. It has a typical parrotfish "beak" of fused teeth used to scrape algae. Coloration varies greatly with age and sex and may include shades of blue, green, purple and almost black; it is often seen alone. It feeds mainly on benthic algae on hard substrate and dead coral, grazing actively on the reef by day.
Scarus niger
Scorpionfish
The scorpionfish is one of the most venomous yet inconspicuous members of marine fauna. These predators prefer to stay hidden and are skilled at blending into their surroundings. Coloration ranges from dull brown and yellow to bright red and orange. More than 200 known species of scorpionfish live in the coastal waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
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