Crown-of-Thorns Starfish on prey
Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthasther planci) on recently consumed Acropora selago coral prey at Cemetary Reef, Koror, Republic of Palau.
Tridacnas in the notch
The eroded limestone (fossil coral reef) of Palauan rock island notches provides good habiata for various giant clam species (Tridacna spp.), Koror.
Competition for light
Table Coral (Acropora cythera) can grow out over other coral species outcompeting them for the light neccessary for their endosymbionts to photosythesize. Photographed while scuba diving Ulong Channel, Koror, Republic of Palau.
Bennett's Feather Star
The Bennett's feather star (Oxycomanthus bennetti) is active during the day as depeicted by this example from New Dropoff, Koror, Republic of Palau.
Table Coral
Table Coral (Acropora cythera) surrounded by numberous other hard corals at Ulong Channel, Koror, Republic of Palau.
Beautiful Featherstra on Rumphella
Beautiful Featherstar (Cenometra bella), a crinoid species that is active during the day, riding on a Rumphella sp. at Siaes Corner, Koror, Republic of Palau
Rumphella tree
A treelike Rumphella sp. coral provides shelter to several fish species at Siaes Corner, Koror, Republic of Palau.
Bennett's Feather Star (Oxycomanthus bennetti) are active during the day unlike many other crinoids. This example is from Dexter's Wall, Koror, Republic of Palau.
Maxima Giant Clam
Partially closed Maxima Giant Clam (Tridactna maxima) reveals the closely spaced shell scales diagnostic for this species. Photographed at Sand Bar, Koror, Republic of Palau.
Color variants
Indo-Pacific Chirstmas Tree Worms (Spirobranchus cf. corniculatus) variously colored as depiected here from Sand Bar, Koror, Republic of Palau.
Warty Mesh Star
Warty Mesh Star (Warty Mesh Star) found living near the Jake Sea Plane wreck at Koror, Republic of Palau.
Feather Duster Worm
Feather Duster Worm (Sabellastarte spectabilis) near the Jake Seaplan wreck, Koror, Republic of Palau.
Vase sponge
A vase sponge (cChe Jake Seaplane Wreck, Koror, Republic of Palau.
Collector Urchin
This close-up underwater photograph of a Collector Urchin (Tripneustes gratilla) taken off Waikiki, Oahu Island, Hawaii, reveals the mainly tube feet covering the body.
Banded Urchin
Banded Urchin (Echinothrix calamaris) at the base of a Mound Coral (Porites lutea) near Kewalo Pipe off Waikiki, Oahu Island, Hawaii.
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.
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.
