Patches of Rice Coral (Montipora capitata)
Encrusting patches of Rice Coral (Montipora capitata) growing on the backwall of Molokini Crater off Maui, Hawaii, USA.
AcroporidaeClass AnthozoaCnidariaERDAHawaiiInvertebrateMauiMaui CountyMolokini Crater dive siteMontipora capitataOrder ScleractiniaPhylum CnidariaSeacam underwater housingSlidesSubclass HexacoralliaUnited StatesZoanthariaanthozoacnidariancoelenteraterice coralscubascuba dive sitescuba divingunderwaterunderwater photographywinter
Patches of encrusting Vermillion Clathria Sponge (Clathria sp.)
Patches of encrusting Vermillion Clathria Sponge (Clathria sp.) colors the living rock on Molokini Crater's backwall, off Maui, Hawaii USA.
Class DemospongiaeClathria sp.ERDAHawaiiInvertebrateMauiMaui CountyMicrocionidaeMolokini Crater dive siteOrder PoeciloscleridaPhylum PoriferaSeacam underwater housingSlidesUnited StatesVermilion Clathriascubascuba dive sitescuba divingspongeunderwaterunderwater photographywinter
Ridgeback Slipper Lobster (Scyllarides haanii)
Ridgeback Slipper Lobster (Scyllarides haanii) hiding in its lair between lava rocks on Molokini Crater 's backwall off Maui, Hawaii, USA
arthropodArthropodaClass DemospongiaeClass MalacostracaClathria sp.ERDAHawaiiInfraorder AchelataInvertebrateMacruraMauiMaui CountyMicrocionidaeMolokini Crater dive siteOrder DecapodaOrder PoeciloscleridaPhylum ArthropodaPhylum PoriferaScyllaridaeScyllarides haaniiSeacam underwater housingSlidesSubphyllum CrustaceaUnited StatesVermilion Clathriaridgeback slipper lobsterscubascuba dive sitescuba divingspongeunderwaterunderwater photographywinter
Sea gooseberry (Pleurobrachia sp.)
A tentaculate ctenophore a.k.a. comb jelly and sea gooseberry (Pleurobrachia sp.) opens its mouth to ingest zooplankton prey during a blackwater dive off the Kona Coast, The Big island, Hawaii, USA.
BIDBig IslandClass TentaculataCtenophoraHawaiiHawaii IslandInvertebrateOrder CydippidaPhylum CtenophoraPleurobrachia sp.PleurobrachidaeSea GooseberrySeacam underwater housingThe Big IslandUnited Statesblackwaterbluewater divecomb jellyctenophorescubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photographywinter
Lobed comb jelly (Bolinopsis sp.)
Lobed comb jelly (Bolinopsis sp.) observed expanding its feeding lobes during a black water dive off the Kona Coast, Hawaii, USA.
BIDBig IslandBolinopsidaeBolinopsis sp.Class TentaculataCtenophoraHawaiiHawaii IslandInvertebrateLobed Comb JellyOrder LobataPhylum CtenophoraSeacam underwater housingThe Big IslandUnited Statesblackwaterbluewater divecomb jellyctenophorescubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photographywinter
Venus' Girdle (Cestum veneris)
A Venus' Girdle (Cestum veneris) glides by during a blackwater dive of the Kona Coast, The Big island, Hawaii, USA.
BIDBig IslandCestum venerisClass TentaculataCtenophoraHawaiiHawaii IslandInvertebrateOrder CestidaPhylum CtenophoraSeacam underwater housingThe Big IslandUnited StatesVenus' Girdleblackwaterbluewater divecomb jellyctenophorescubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photographywinter
Red-Spot Comb Jelly (Eurhamphaea vexilligera)
A Red-Spot Comb Jelly (Eurhamphaea vexilligera) passes by during a blackwater dive off the Kona Coast, the Big Island, Hawaii, USA.
BIDBig IslandClass TentaculataCtenophoraEurhamphaea vexilligeraEurhamphaeidaeHawaiiHawaii IslandInvertebrateOrder LobataPhylum CtenophoraRedSpot Comb JellySeacam underwater housingThe Big IslandUnited Statesblackwaterbluewater divecomb jellyctenophorescubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photographywinter
Crown Jellyfish (Cephea cephea)
Crown Jellyfish (Cephea cephea) drifts by duing a blackwater dive off the Kona Coast, the Big Island, Hawaii, USA.
BIDBig IslandCephea cepheaCepheidaeClass ScyphozoaCnidariaCrown JellyfishHawaiiHawaii IslandInvertebrateOrder RhizostomaePhylum CnidariaSeacam underwater housingThe Big IslandUnited Statesblackwaterbluewater divecnidariancoelenteratescubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photographywinter
Box Jellyfish a.k.a.Sea Wasp (Alatina alata)
Box Jellyfish a.k.a. Sea Wasp (Alatina alata) swims by duing a blackwater dive off the Kona Coast, the Big island, Hawaii, USA. While not fatal like its Australian relatives, this box jellyfish can deliver a nasty sting
Alatina alataAlatinidaeBIDBig IslandClass CubozoaCnidariaHawaiiHawaii IslandInvertebrateOrder CarybdeiaPhylum CnidariaSea Wasp Box JellyfishSeacam underwater housingThe Big IslandUnited Statesblackwaterbluewater divecnidariancoelenteratescubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photographywinter
The colors of sponges
Encrusting sponges (Phylum Porifera) in a multitude of colors corresponding to different taxa (Orange Hydroid Sponge: Timea sp., Vermilion Clathria: Clathria sp., Yellow Hyrtios: Dactylospongia sp., and Green Encrusting Sponge: Batzella sp.) line the ceiling of a lava tube off South Kona, The Big Island, Hawaii.
BIDBatzella sp.Big IslandClass DemospongiaeClathria sp.Dactylospongia sp.Green Encrusting SpongeHawaiiHawaii IslandInvertebrateKona coast dive siteMicrocionidaeOrange Hydroid SpongeOrder DictyoceratidaOrder PoeciloscleridaPhoriospongidaePhylum PoriferaSeacam underwater housingSouth Kona dive site The DomeSpongiidaeThe Big IslandTimea sp.United StatesVermilion ClathriaYellow Hyrtiosscubascuba dive sitescuba divingspongeunderwaterunderwater photographywinter
Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp
Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboiensis) that was photographed underwater while scuba diving the Kona Coast, the Big Island, Hawaii, USA during the summer.
arthropodArthropodaBig IslandClass MalacostracaHawaiiHawaii IslandHippolytidaeInfraorder CarideaInvertebrateKona CoastLysmata amboinensisOrder DecapodaPhylum ArthropodaScarlet Cleaner ShrimpSeacam underwater housingSubphyllum CrustaceaSummerSuperfamily AlpheoideaThe Big IslandUnited Statesnaturescubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Banded Coral Shrimp
Banded Coral Shrimp (Stenopus hispidus) perched on the ceiling of a moray eel's lair
arthropodArthropodaBanded Coral ShrimpBig IslandClass MalacostracaHawaiiHawaii IslandInfraorder StenopodideaInvertebrateOrder DecapodaPhylum ArthropodaSeacam underwater housingStenopodidaeStenopus hispidusSubphyllum CrustaceaThe Big IslandUnited Statesscubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Plate and Knob Coral
Plate and Knob Coral (Porites moniculosa).
Big IslandClass AnthozoaCnidariaHawaiiHawaii IslandInvertebrateOrder ScleractiniaPhylum CnidariaPlate and Knob CoralPorites monticulosaPoritidaeSeacam underwater housingSubclass HexacoralliaThe Big IslandUnited StatesZoanthariaanthozoacnidariancoelenteratescubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Tufted Spiny Lobster crawling about on a Hawaiian reef.
Tufted Spiny Lobster (Panulirus penicillatus) crawling about on a Hawaiian reef.
arthropodArthropodaBig IslandClass MalacostracaHawaiiHawaii IslandInfraorder AchelataInvertebrateMacruraOrder DecapodaPalinuridaePanulirus penicillatusPhylum ArthropodaSeacam underwater housingSubphyllum CrustaceaThe Big IslandUnited Statesscubascuba divingtufted spiny lobsterunderwaterunderwater photography
Tufted Spiny Lobster crawling about on a Hawaiian reef.
Tufted Spiny Lobster (Panulirus penicillatus) crawling about on a Hawaiian reef.
arthropodArthropodaBig IslandClass MalacostracaHawaiiHawaii IslandInfraorder AchelataInvertebrateMacruraOrder DecapodaPalinuridaePanulirus penicillatusPhylum ArthropodaSeacam underwater housingSubphyllum CrustaceaThe Big IslandUnited Statesscubascuba divingtufted spiny lobsterunderwaterunderwater photography
Tufted Spiny Lobster crawling about on a Hawaiian reef.
Tufted Spiny Lobster (Panulirus penicillatus) crawling about on a Hawaiian reef.
arthropodArthropodaBig IslandClass MalacostracaHawaiiHawaii IslandInfraorder AchelataInvertebrateMacruraOrder DecapodaPalinuridaePanulirus penicillatusPhylum ArthropodaSeacam underwater housingSubphyllum CrustaceaThe Big IslandUnited Statesscubascuba divingtufted spiny lobsterunderwaterunderwater photography
Tufted Spiny Lobster
Head-on view of a Tufted Spiny Lobster (Panulirus penicillatus) showing its tufted legs that was photgraphed while scuba diving the Kona Coast, the Big Island, Hawaii, USA during the summer.
arthropodArthropodaBig IslandClass MalacostracaHawaiiHawaii IslandInfraorder AchelataInvertebrateKonaKona CoastMacruraOrder DecapodaPalinuridaePanulirus penicillatusPhylum ArthropodaSeacam underwater housingSubphyllum CrustaceaSummerThe Big IslandUnited Statesnaturescubascuba divingtufted spiny lobsterunderwaterunderwater photography
Tufted Spiny Lobster crawling about on a Hawaiian reef.
Tufted Spiny Lobster (Panulirus penicillatus) crawling about on a Hawaiian reef.
arthropodArthropodaBig IslandClass MalacostracaHawaiiHawaii IslandInfraorder AchelataInvertebrateMacruraOrder DecapodaPalinuridaePanulirus penicillatusPhylum ArthropodaSeacam underwater housingSubphyllum CrustaceaThe Big IslandUnited Statesscubascuba divingtufted spiny lobsterunderwaterunderwater photography
Siphonophre tentacles and various organs close-up
Close-up underwater photograph showing the tentacles and various organs of the putative Siphonophre species Agalma okeni taken during a blackwater (bluewater at night) scuba dive off the Kona Coast, the Big Island, Hawaii, USA during the summer.
Agalma okeniAgalmatidaeBig IslandCnidariaHawaiiHawaii IslandInvertebrateKonaKona CoastOrder SiphonophoraePaired Bell SiphonophrePhylum CnidariaSeacam underwater housingSubclass LeptolinaeSuborder PhysonectaeSummerThe Big IslandUnited Statescnidariancoelenteratenaturescubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Siphonophore Agalma okeni taken during a blackwater scuba dive
Underwater photograph of the Siphonophore putative species Agalma okeni taken during a blackwater (bluewater at night) scuba dive off Kona, Hawaii.
Agalma okeniAgalmatidaeBig IslandCnidariaHawaiiHawaii IslandInvertebrateOrder SiphonophoraePaired Bell SiphonophrePhylum CnidariaSeacam underwater housingSubclass LeptolinaeSuborder PhysonectaeThe Big IslandUnited Statescnidariancoelenteratescubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Siphonophore Agalma okeni taken during a blackwater scuba dive
Underwater photograph of the Siphonophore putative species Agalma okeni taken during a blackwater (bluewater at night) scuba dive off Kona, Hawaii.
Agalma okeniAgalmatidaeBig IslandCnidariaHawaiiHawaii IslandInvertebrateOrder SiphonophoraePaired Bell SiphonophrePhylum CnidariaSeacam underwater housingSubclass LeptolinaeSuborder PhysonectaeThe Big IslandUnited Statescnidariancoelenteratescubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Siphonophore Agalma okeni taken during a blackwater scuba dive
Underwater photograph of the Siphonophore putative species Agalma okeni taken during a blackwater (bluewater at night) scuba dive off Kona, Hawaii.
Agalma okeniAgalmatidaeBig IslandCnidariaHawaiiHawaii IslandInvertebrateOrder SiphonophoraePaired Bell SiphonophrePhylum CnidariaSeacam underwater housingSubclass LeptolinaeSuborder PhysonectaeThe Big IslandUnited Statescnidariancoelenteratescubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Siphonophore Agalma okeni taken during a blackwater scuba dive
Underwater photograph of the Siphonophore putative species Agalma okeni taken during a blackwater (bluewater at night) scuba dive off Kona, Hawaii.
Agalma okeniAgalmatidaeBig IslandCnidariaHawaiiHawaii IslandInvertebrateOrder SiphonophoraePaired Bell SiphonophrePhylum CnidariaSeacam underwater housingSubclass LeptolinaeSuborder PhysonectaeThe Big IslandUnited Statescnidariancoelenteratescubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Heart-shaped Pillow Zoanthid
Heart-shaped Pillow Zoanthid (Palythoa caesia).
Class AnthozoaCnidariaInvertebrateKauai IslandOrder ZoanthariaPalythoa caesiaPhylum CnidariaPillow ZoanthidSeacam underwater housingSphenopidaeSubclass HexacoralliaZoanthariaanthozoacnidariancoelenteratescubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Fisher's Sea Star
Fisher's Sea Star (Mithrodia fisheri), a Hawaiian endemic species, was photographed while scuba diving near Kauai Island, Hawaii
Class AsteroideaEchinodermataFisher's Sea StarInvertebrateKauai IslandMithrodia fisheriMithrodiidaeOrder ValvatidaPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass Asterozoaechinodermscubascuba divingsea starstarfishunderwaterunderwater photography
Feather Hydroids
Feather Hydroids (Gymnangium hians) strongly resemble their namesake.
AglaopheniidaeClass HydrozoaCnidariaFeather HydroidGymnangium hiansHawaiiInvertebrateNi'ihau IslandOrder HydroidaPhylum CnidariaSeacam underwater housingUnited Statescnidariancoelenteratescubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Winged Pearl Oysters live attached to Wire Coral
Winged Pearl Oysters (Pteria brunnea) live attached to Wire Coral (Cirrhipathes anguina).
Cirrhipathes anguinaClass AnthozoaClass BivalviaCnidariaHawaiiInvertebrateMolluscaNi'ihau IslandOrder AntipathariaPhylum CnidariaPhylum MolluscaPteria brunneaPteriidaeSeacam underwater housingSubclass HexacoralliaUnited StatesWinged Pearl OysterWire CoralZoanthariaanthozoacnidariancoelenteratemolluskscubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Juvenile Crown-of-Thorns Starfish
Juvenile Crown-of-Thorns (Acanthaster planci) Starfish spread out on live rock at Ni'ihau Island, near Kauai, Hawaii, USA during the spring.
Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeCOTSClass AsteroideaCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarEchinodermataHawaiiInvertebrateKauai IslandNi'ihau IslandOrder ValvatidaPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSpringSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaUnited Statesechinodermnaturescubascuba divingsea starstarfishunderwaterunderwater photography
Orange Lacy Bryozoan
The original description of the Orange Lacy Bryozoan (Reteporellina denticulata), the species shown here, was made from specimens collected in Hawaii during the Challenger expedition of the 1870's.
Challenger ExpeditionClass GymnolaemataHawaiiInvertebrateNi'ihau IslandOrange Lacy BryozoanOrder CheilostomataPhidoliporidaePhylum BryozoaReteporellina denticulataSeacam underwater housingUnited Statesmoss animalsscubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Day Octopus lurking
Day Octopus (Octopus cyanea) lurking under Antler Coral (Pocillopora eydouxi) cover.
Antler CoralClass AnthozoaClass CephalopodaCnidariaDay OctopusHawaiiInvertebrateMolluscaNi'ihau IslandOctopdidaeOctopus cyaneaOrder OctopodaOrder ScleractiniaPhylum CnidariaPhylum MolluscaPocillopora eydouxiPocillopora grandisPocilloporidaeSeacam underwater housingSubclass HexacoralliaUnited StatesZoanthariaanthozoacnidariancoelenteratemolluskscubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Crown-of-Thorns Starfish or Sea Star
Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) resting near the entrance to a lava tube off the Kona coast, The Big Island, Hawaii, USA.
Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeBig IslandCOTSClass AsteroideaCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarEchinodermataHawaiiHawaii IslandInvertebrateKonaOrder ValvatidaPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaThe Big IslandUnited Statesechinodermscubascuba divingsea starstarfishunderwaterunderwater photography
Day Octopus resting in a crevice
Day Octopus (Octopus cyanea) resting in a crevice
Big IslandClass CephalopodaDay OctopusHawaiiHawaii IslandInvertebrateKonaMolluscaOctopdidaeOctopus cyaneaOrder OctopodaPhylum MolluscaSeacam underwater housingThe Big IslandUnited Statesmolluskscubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Plate and Pillar Coral detail
Plate and Pillar Coral (Porited rus) detail
Big IslandClass AnthozoaCnidariaHawaiiHawaii IslandInvertebrateKonaOrder ScleractiniaPhylum CnidariaPlate and Pillar CoralPorites rusPoritidaeSeacam underwater housingSubclass HexacoralliaThe Big IslandUnited StatesZoanthariaanthozoacnidariancoelenteratescubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Colors of Antler Coral
Colors of Antler Coral (Pocillopora grandis (formerly Pocillopora eydouxi)) vary according to the color of its symbiot. A single coral head may contain genetically distinct dinoflagellate symbiots.
Antler CoralBig IslandClass AnthozoaCnidariaHawaiiHawaii IslandInvertebrateKonaOrder ScleractiniaPhylum CnidariaPocillopora eydouxiPocillopora grandisPocilloporidaeSeacam underwater housingSubclass HexacoralliaThe Big IslandUnited StatesZoanthariaanthozoacnidariancoelenteratescubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
crab megalops larva
This tiny (width ~ 1 cm) crab megalops larva was photographed several miles offshore of Hawaii Island during a blackwater scuba dive. Aspect Ratio = 1:1.
arthropodArthropodaClass MalacostracaInfraorder BrachyuraInvertebrateJDLOrder DecapodaPhylum ArthropodaSeacam underwater housingSpringSubphyllum Crustaceablackwaterbluewater divecrab megalops larvamegalopaescubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Depredated slate pencil sea urchin
Depredated slate pencil sea urchin (Heterocentrotus mammillatus) resting on the bottom off the Kona coast, Hawaii Island
Air TanksBIDClass EchinoideaEchinodermataEchinometridaeHeterocentrotus mammillatusInvertebrateKona coast dive siteOrder EchinoidaPhylum EchinodermataRed Slate Pencil UrchinSeacam underwater housingSpringechinodermpredationscubascuba dive sitescuba divingslate pencil sea urchinunderwaterunderwater photography
Tiny medusa
Unidentified tiny medusa (diameter ~2 cm) that was photographed several miles offshore of Hawaii Island during a blackwater scuba dive. Aspect Ratio = 1:1.
JDLSeacam underwater housingSpringblackwaterbluewater divescubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Bolinopsid comb jelly
Bolinopsid comb jelly (ctenophore) that was photographed several miles offshore of Hawaii Island during a blackwater scuba dive during the spring.
BolinopsidaeClass TentaculataCtenophoraInvertebrateJDLOrder LobataPacificstock RFPhylum CtenophoraSeacam underwater housingSpringblackwaterbluewater divecomb jellyctenophorescubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Blue-grey zoanthid surrounded by lobe coral
Blue-grey zoanthid (Palythoa caesia) surrounded by lobe coral (Porites lobata) off the Kona coast, Hawaii Island.
Bluegrey ZoanthidClass AnthozoaCnidariaInvertebrateJDLKaloko ArchesKona coast dive siteLobe CoralOrder ScleractiniaOrder ZoanthariaPalythoa caesiaPhylum CnidariaPillow ZoanthidPorites lobataPoritidaeSeacam underwater housingSphenopidaeSpringSubclass HexacoralliaZoanthariaanthozoacnidariancoelenteratescubascuba dive sitescuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Ctenophore details
Lobate ctenophore or comb jelly (Leucothea multicornis) that was photographed close-up several miles offshore of Hawaii Island during a blackwater scuba dive during the spring.
arthropodArthropodaBIDClass MalacostracaClass TentaculataCtenophoraInvertebrateLeucothea multicornisLeucotheidaeOrder AmphipodaOrder LobataPacificstock RMAPhylum ArthropodaPhylum CtenophoraSeacam underwater housingSpringSuborder HyperiideaSubphyllum Crustaceablackwaterbluewater divecomb jellyctenophorehyperiidscubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Ctenophore details
Lobate ctenophore or comb jelly (Leucothea multicornis) with several small hyperiid amphipods that was photographed close-up several miles offshore of Hawaii Island during a blackwater scuba dive.
arthropodArthropodaBIDClass MalacostracaClass TentaculataCtenophoraInvertebrateLeucothea multicornisLeucotheidaeOrder AmphipodaOrder LobataPhylum ArthropodaPhylum CtenophoraSeacam underwater housingSpringSuborder HyperiideaSubphyllum Crustaceablackwaterbluewater divecomb jellyctenophorehyperiidscubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Ctenophore details
Lobate ctenophore or comb jelly (Leucothea multicornis) that was photographed close-up several miles offshore of Hawaii Island during a blackwater scuba dive during the spring.
arthropodArthropodaBIDClass MalacostracaClass TentaculataCtenophoraInvertebrateLeucothea multicornisLeucotheidaeOrder AmphipodaOrder LobataPacificstock RMAPhylum ArthropodaPhylum CtenophoraSeacam underwater housingSpringSuborder HyperiideaSubphyllum Crustaceablackwaterbluewater divecomb jellyctenophorehyperiidscubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Ctenophore details
Lobate ctenophore or comb jelly (Leucothea multicornis) that was photographed close-up several miles offshore of Hawaii Island during a blackwater scuba dive during the spring.
arthropodArthropodaBIDClass MalacostracaClass TentaculataCtenophoraInvertebrateLeucothea multicornisLeucotheidaeOrder AmphipodaOrder LobataPacificstock RMAPhylum ArthropodaPhylum CtenophoraSeacam underwater housingSpringSuborder HyperiideaSubphyllum Crustaceablackwaterbluewater divecomb jellyctenophorehyperiidscubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Phronima with young in Salp
A Phronima amphipod (length ~ 3 cm) with young in the remains of its salp host that was photographed during a blackwater scuba dive several miles offshore of Hawaii Island at night during the spring.
arthropodArthropodaBIDChordataClass MalacostracaInvertebrateOrder AmphipodaPacificstock RFPhronimaPhronimidaePhylum ArthropodaPhylum Chordata invertebrate portion ofSalpSalpidaeSeacam underwater housingSpringSuborder HyperiideaSubphyllum CrustaceaSuperfamily Phronimoideablackwaterbluewater divechordatehyperiidscubascuba divingunderwater photography
Phronima with young in Salp
A Phronima amphipod (length ~ 3 cm) with young in the remains of its salp host that was photographed during a blackwater scuba dive several miles offshore of Hawaii Island at night. Aspect Ratio = 1:1.
BIDSeacam underwater housingSpringblackwaterbluewater divescubascuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography
Freckled Hawkfish lurking in antler coral
Freckled Hawkfish (Paracirrhites forsteri) lurking in antler coral (Pocillopora eydouxi). A cushion star (Culcita novaeguineae) is at the coral's base. Photographed while scuba diving the Kona coast, Hawaii Island during the spring.
Antler CoralBIDCirrhitidaeClass ActinopterygiiClass AnthozoaClass AsteroideaCnidariaCulcita novaeguineaeEchinodermataFreckled HawkfishGolden ArchesInfraclass TeleosteiInvertebrateKona coast dive siteOrder ScleractiniaOrder ValvatidaOreasteridaePacificstock RFParacirrhites forsteriPerciformesPercoideiPhyllum ChordataPhylum CnidariaPhylum EchinodermataPocillopora eydouxiPocillopora grandisPocilloporidaeSeacam underwater housingSubclass HexacoralliaSubclass NeopterygiiSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaTeleostVertebrateZoanthariaanthozoacnidariancoelenteratecushion seastarcushion starechinodermscubascuba dive sitescuba divingsea starstarfishunderwaterunderwater photography
Double jepardy: coral bleaching and seastar predation
Antler coral (Pocillopora eydouxi) bleached white by the compounding effects of an El Nino with global warming being attacked by a Crown of Thorns Seastar (Acanthaster planci) photographed while scuba diving the Kona coast, Hawaii Island. Excessively warm seawater temperature is stressful to live corals resulting in coral bleaching. Corals get their colors from symbiotic algae of the genus Symbiodinium, a type of dinoflagellate called zooxanthellae. When stressed corals expel their symbiotic zooxanthellae the live coral turns white.
Acanthaster planciAcanthasteridaeBIDCOTSClass AsteroideaCnidariaCrownofThorns Starfish Sea StarEchinodermataInvertebrateKona coast dive siteOrder ValvatidaPhylum CnidariaPhylum EchinodermataSeacam underwater housingSubphylum EleutherozoaSuperclass AsterozoaTouch of Greycnidariancoelenteratecoral bleachingechinodermscubascuba dive sitescuba divingsea starstarfishunderwaterunderwater photography
Yellowstriped Coris in front of a partially bleached antler coral
Yellowstriped Coris (Coris flavovittata) in front of a partially bleached antler coral (Pocillopora eydouxi) off the Kona coast, Hawaii Island.
Antler CoralBIDClass ActinopterygiiClass AnthozoaCnidariaCoris flavovittataHawaiian endemicInfraclass TeleosteiInvertebrateKona coast dive siteLabridaeLabrioideiOrder ScleractiniaPerciformesPhyllum ChordataPhylum CnidariaPocillopora eydouxiPocillopora grandisPocilloporidaeSeacam underwater housingSubclass HexacoralliaSubclass NeopterygiiTeleostTouch of GreyVertebrateYellowstriped CorisZoanthariaanthozoacnidariancoelenteratecoral bleachingendemicscubascuba dive sitescuba divingunderwaterunderwater photography