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 […]
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Blue-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 […]
WeiterlesenHairy 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 […]
WeiterlesenLeaf 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 […]
WeiterlesenGiant 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. […]
WeiterlesenLong-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 […]
WeiterlesenOrnate Ghostpipefish: Solenostomus paradoxus
In this Minute of relaxation, we would like to introduce you to a very cryptic creature, that is very much loved by divers and snorkellers alike, the Ornate Ghostpipefish, a.k.a. Solenostomus paradoxus. In this clip, we see the Ornate Ghostpipefish in one of its favourite hiding places, namely among the […]
WeiterlesenTake a Minute XLI: Goniobranchus kuniei
In this relaxing episode of “Take a Minute”, we would like to introduce you to a pretty creature named Goniobranchus kuniei. This colourful little beauty is a dorid nudibranch, of the Chromodorididae family. The Order Nudibranchia of which this creature is part differs from other sea slugs. The name “Nudibranchia” […]
WeiterlesenHarlequin Crab: Lissocarcinus laevis
This relaxing Minute features a colourful character, and its relationship with anemones, as well as certain coral species, and even some sea cucumbers: Harlequin Crab (Lissocarcinus laevis). In it, we see a Harlequin crab caught with its hand in the cookie jar, as it tries to get to some food […]
WeiterlesenFeather Duster: Sabellastarte spectabilis
In this session of relaxing minutes, we would like to introduce you to a critter that uses a flamboyant feature to mask what many people would deem an otherwise gross appearance. Yes, Sabellastarte spectabilis is, despite its beautiful name, not some fluffy plant or coral in a variation of colours, […]
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