Hawaiian invertebrates

7-11 Crab

7-11 Crab (Carpilius maculatus, ) at night off Kauai, Hawaii

Red Reef Lobster

The Red Reef Lobster (Enoplometopus occidentalis) is globally distributed in the tropics. This one was photographed off Kauai, Hawaii during a night scuba dive.

Hawaiian Tiger Cowry

Hawaiian Tiger Cowry (Cypraea tigris schilderiana) off Niihau, Hawaii.

Hawaiian Black Coral

Hawaiian Black Coral (Antipathes griggi), a Hawaiian endemic, off Nihau, Hawaii.

Orange Lacy Bryozoan

Orange Lacy Bryozoan (Reteporellina denticulata) off Niihau, Hawaii.

Pillow Zoanthid

Pillow Zoanthid (Palythoa caesia) off Niihau, Hawaii.

Cushion Star

Cushion Star (Culcita novaeguineae) off Niihau, Hawaii.

Orange Lacy Bryozoan

Colonies of Orange Lacy Bryozoan (Reteporelina denticulata) dot the vertical wall of the submerged tuff pinnacle known as Vertical Awarness located just north of Niihau, Hawaii.

Hawaiian Spiny Lobster

The Hawaiian Spiny Lobster (Panulirus marginatus), which is endemic to Hawaii, is distinguished from its Hawaiian congener by its dark legs.

Hawaiian Black Coral

Hawaiian Black Coral (Cirrhipathes anguina) living on the backwall of Molokini Crater, near Maui, Hawaii.

Cat's-Tongue Spiny Oyster

The Cat's-Tongue Spiny Oyster (Spondylus gloriosus) is an endemic Hawaiian bivalve mollusk.

Hawaiian Pearl Oyster

A Hawaiian Pearl Oyster (Pinctada galtsoffi), which is a protected species, living on a Hawaiian reef. This genus of bivalve mollusks are capable of generating the precious pearls used in jewlery.

Cusion Star detail

Aboral surface detail of a Cusion Star (Culcita novaeguineae) in black and white.

Cusion Star detail

Lateral detail of a Cusion Star (Culcita novaeguineae).

Antler Coral closeup

Closeup of Antler (Pocillopora grandis) Coral revealing individual polyps.

Hawaiian Pearl Oyster

Live Hawaiian Pearl Oyster (Pinctada galtsoffi) living on Haloha Reef off Maui, Hawaii, USA.

Hawaiian Pearl Oyster

Live Hawaiian Pearl Oyster (Pinctada galtsoffi) living on Haloha Reef off Maui, Hawaii, USA.

Red Slate Pencil Urchin

A Red Slate Pencil Urchin (Heterocentrotus mamillatus) rests on Molokini Backwall which is located offshore of Maui, Hawaii, USA.

Antler Coral and hidden Hawaiian Squirrelfish

This large Antler Coral (Pocillopora grandis) head provides a place for a Hawaiian Squirrelfish (Sargocentrum xantheryrum) to hide from predators.

Blue Dragon Nudibranch

A Blue Dragon Nudibranch (Pteraeolidia semperi) that was found on the backwall of Molokini Crater, offshore of Maui, Hawaii, USA.

Spiral Wire Coral

Spiral Wire Coral (Cirrhipathes spiralis) living on the backwall of Molokini Crater, offshore of Maui, Hawaii, USA.

Molokini backwall limpet habitat

Receding waves reveal conically-shaped limpets known as Blackfoot Ophi that dot the wave-cut platform of Molokini Crater's Backwall. Molokini Crater is located off Maui, Hawaii, USA, which is visible in the background.

Red Slate Pencil and Needle-spined urchins

Red Slate Pencil and Needle-spined urchins (Heterocentrotus mamillatus and Echinostrephus aciculatus) perched on the Backwall of Molokini Crater near Maui, Hawaii.

Red Slate Pencil and Needle-spined urchins

Surrounded by patches of Rice Coral (Montipora capitata), a Red Slate Pencil Urchin (Heterocentrotus mamillatus) and a Needle-spined (Urchin Echinostrephus aciculatus) rest on Molokini Backwall which is located offshore of Maui, Hawaii, USA.

Patches of Rice Coral (Montipora capitata)

Encrusting patches of Rice Coral (Montipora capitata) growing on the backwall of Molokini Crater off Maui, Hawaii, USA.