In episode 54 of Take a Minute to Relax, we introduce you to a rather flashy reef character: the ELECTRIC CLAM (Ctenoides ales). The underwater world is filled with many wonders. Just when you thought you’d seen it all, the ocean presents you with the electric clam. Ctenoides Ales as […]
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Sea Bunny: Jorunna parva
Starring in episode 53 of “Take a Minute to Relax” is a bundle of cuteness that is commonly known as a “sea bunny”, whereas scientists like to name it “Jorunna parva”. This little fluffball is obviously not related to any land-dwelling bunnies. It is, in fact, a species of dorid […]
Read MorePicasso Triggerfish: Rhinecanthus aculeatus
In this episode of “Take a Minute to Relax” we’d like to introduce you to a beautiful creature that goes by the Hawaiian name of Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa, or Humu-Humu for short. Although this may sound nice, roughly translated it means “triggerfish with a snout like a pig”. Outside of Hawaii though, […]
Read MoreBanggai Cardinalfish: Pterapogon kauderni
In this relaxing episode, we would like to present you with a mesmerising performance by Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) dancing with the swell of the ocean. These beautiful creatures grow to a size of about 8 centimetres (3 inches), which makes them a great bite-sized snack for many would-be predators. […]
Read MoreCoral Reef: Life-sustaining symbiosis
In this relaxing episode, we invite you to glide with us over a healthy coral reef, one big life-sustaining symbiosis. As we already mentioned in Take a Minute to Relax VII, XI, XXV, and XXXI, healthy coral reefs protect us from the enormous power of the oceans, and at the […]
Read MoreBlue-lined philinopsis: Philinopsis speciosa
In this relaxing Minute, we would like to introduce you to a beautiful bottom dweller named the Blue-lined philinopsis. In scientific circles, it goes by the name Philinopsis cyanea. To make things even more complicated, Philinopsis cyanea is almost certainly a synonym of Philinopsis speciosa. This particular species was first […]
Read MoreHairy Frogfish: Antennarius striatus
It is time to “Take a minute to Relax” again: A Hairy Frogfish (Antennarius striatus) wandering over the sandy bottom in Siaba Besar, one of the outstanding dive sites for critter hunting in the Komodo National Park in Indonesia. Wait a minute! Wandering like walking? Correct, this fish lacks a […]
Read MoreLeaf scorpionfish: Taenianotus triacanthus
„Take a Minute to Relax“ and observe another weird and wonderful creature hiding in the coral reefs: Leaf scorpionfish (Taenianotus triacanthus). The leaf scorpionfish, also called paperfish, is definitely the most elegant of all the ambush predators. Ambush predators, also called sit-and-wait predators, are carnivorous animals that get to their […]
Read MoreGiant moray eel: Gymnothorax javanicus
In this round of „Take a Minute“, we present you with the Giant moray eel (Gymnothorax javanicus). Granted, at first glance, it neither looks relaxed nor relaxing. However, it opens and closes its mouth simply for breathing. Moray eels have relatively small oral cavities with the gills sitting behind them. […]
Read MoreLong-arm Octopus: Abdopus sp.
It is time to take a minute to relax again. Sit back and enjoy the mesmerising beauty of a Long-arm Octopus (Abdopus sp.). Even though this octopus is quite common in the Philippines and Indonesia, it hasn’t been scientifically described yet. Hence, its scientific name just ends in sp. for […]
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