This is another in a series of diaries meant only as a brief respite from the stuggles and infuriations of the day and as a reminder that we share this planet with all manner of amazing critters. These photos were taken during a handfull of dives over the past two weekends including a night dive last night at Pupukea Marine Reserve. I hope you enjoy your visit.
Lanikai Beach
Textile Cone (Conus textile)"
This predatory snail feeds on other snails after killing them with poison delivered by a harpoon-like structure. It packs quite a wallop. It has been responsible for several human fatalities but none in Hawaii.
Bloody Hermit Crab (Dardanus sanguinocarpus)
This hermit crap has found a textile cone sheel for its home.
Coral
Hawaiian Conger (Conger marginatus)
This is an endemic species of eel. Locals call them white eels and they in demand for use as bait for ulua fisherman (ulua is the Hawaiian name for large jacks, in particular giant trevally that can reach over 100 lbs.) This photo was taken at night while this animal was out hunting.
Hawaiian Conger (Conger marginatus)
This shot was taken during the day. This fish is almost always in this same hole that he shares with golden gobies and couple species of shrimp.
Lined Fireworm (Pherecardia striata)
Last night we saw many of these large bristle worms free swimming near the surface and they would become attracted to our lights. I have to say it was pretty creepy to have this big, eight-inch long wriggling, stinging critters swimming at me. I was definitely glad I was wearing a full wetsuit with a hood to protect my balding noggin. My Hawaii Sea Critters book says they spawn at high tide on certain moonlit nights so that is probably what was going on.
Lined Fireworm (Pherecardia striata)
Their bristles penetrate and break off in your skin causing burning and itching.
Bluestripe Snappers and Soldierfish
Leviathan Cowries (Cyprea leviathan) and Golden Green Gobies (Priolepis aureovirdis)
This is a case of not realizing what I was photographing when I took the shot. I didn't notice the gobies until I got home and processed the image. It happens fairly often.
Kangaroo Nudibranch (Ceratosoma tenue)
These colorful molluscs feed on sponges and absorb toxins into their bodies causing them to be poisonous.
Yellowmargin Moray (Gymnothorax flavimarginatus)
Our old friend the yellowmargin. For those of you familiar with these diaries and my story of Gramps I was disappointed to have not found him in his usual spot when we dove The Mahi a couple of weeks ago. Last time I saw him he was trailing monofilament from his mouth, obviously having swallowed a hook. I hope he (or she) is ok.
Spanish Dancer (Hexabranchus sanguineus)
These are the largest nudibranchs reaching up to 15 inches although this one was only about four inches.
Spanish Dancer (Hexabranchus sanguineus)
Day Octopus (Octopus cyanea)
One of my favorite critters.
Day Octopus (Octopus cyanea)
Day Octopus (Octopus cyanea)
This is the largest and most commonly seen octopus in Hawaii. Sadly they are highly sought after for food and as ulua bait.
Also known as the ornate octopus as the name implies this small octopus is active at night.
Night Octopus (Octopus ornatus)
Night Octopus (Octopus ornatus)
It is more likely to bite a human than the day octopus and actually contains a venom that can cause long-lasting discomfort to sensitive people.
Oval Cup Coral (Cladopsammia equchii)
Whitetip Reef Shark (Triaenidon obesus)
Titan Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopisis cacopsis)
The largest scorpionfish in Hawaii. Like all scorpionfish and lionfish it has toxic dorsal spines. Hey am I detecting a theme for this diary?
Titan Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopisis cacopsis)
Closeup
Longspine Porcupinefish (Diodon holocanthus)
Colorful eye, no?
Thanks for visiting. Feel free to treat this as a community diary and, now more than ever, please be good humans. If you have a problem with this diary I refer you to the Complaint Department:
Aloha
Full Moon Over the Mokuluas