New Obsession Octopus Squid CuttleFish - Part 2

On to another lesson in marine life.  Cephalopods include Octopus, Squid and Cuttlefish.

The greatest distinction is that Octopus have eight long ‘arms’; but Squid and CuttleFish have eight short arms and two long tentacles, with suckers to attack their prey

Squid vs CuttleFish

Squid
-have torpedo-shaped bodies
-are fast-moving predators
-have flexible feather-shaped structure inside their bodies call the ‘pen’.
-have round pupils

Night dives are cool because you see things out at night that you don’t see during the day light.  We did 3 night dives, walking into the water from shore with flashlights, watching Gien to signal if he saw something for us to take photos of.   On one of the night dives we saw this Squid

It fits the description and they are electric !   Notice the round pupils.

 You can see the tentacles

CuttleFish
-have stout bodies
-are slow, and move by the long fins on the sides of their bodies
-have a broad ‘cuttlebone’ which is really an internal shell that is porous and helps them stay buoyant underwater.   The cuttlebones that you see in bird cages provide a calcium supplement
-have W-shaped pupils
-range in size from 6-20 inches
-life expectancy of 1-2 year
-are among the most intelligent invertebrates, with one of the largest brain-to-body-size ratio
-cuttlefish mate face-to-face, isn't that sweet ?   Males use a specialized tentacle to insert sperm sacs into an opening near the female's mouth.  The male then guards the female until she lays around 200 eggs a few hours later.   Sadly they both then die.    In 2-5 months the eggs will hatch into independent little CuttleFish

We saw 2 different kinds of CuttleFish, this is the BroadClub CuttleFish

They have the ability to change their color, texture, and shape, much like the Octopus.  The common cuttlefish uses 34 different chromatic elements to change their color.

This one was on a different dive.    Notice the ‘W’ shaped eyes.

Same day, different dive site.   He continued to stare at me, waving tentacles in the air until i left

A short video ... He was mesmerizing ... or .... maybe i was  :)
Better watching on UTube:   https://youtu.be/KujZ5STpaEg 

The Flamboyant CuttleFish
This is one -prized -invertebrate that divers travel great distances to hope to get an opportunity to see. They also have the ability to change color, texture, and shape, much like the other CuttleFish, but the Flamboyant CuttleFish has up to 75 chromatic elements to change their colors !   (not just 34 like the common guys). It truly lives up to it’s name and reputation.   It also contains unique acids that make it unsuitable for eating.

Although those Nudibranch were beautiful and interesting, the Flamboyant CuttleFish ‘stole the show’ every time we saw them.   And we were lucky enough to see them 4 times.   Each time Phil, Oliver (another fun guy that joined our group), and i saw them, we didn’t want to quit watching them.   One Flamboyant CuttleFish is cool, but 2 and 3 of them together, interacting was irresistible   We could only guess at what they were doing.

This is the first one we saw, and we were so excited !   Notice the W-eye ... and the colors !

These are of the first 3 that we saw.    We could only imagine what was going on .... a 3-way orgy ?

They were climbing all over each other, vying for position.   You couldn't tell where one started and the other one ended.

With colors constantly changing

A few days later we saw these 2 interacting

As you look at the photos notice how their colors change.   

Looking at the photos, you can see all their colors, but it is difficult to get a sense of what they really look like and how they act.    Also, the Flamboyant CuttleFish is the only one known to WALK upon the sea floor.   Due to the small size of its cuttlebone, it can float only for a short time.

This video will give you a better idea of what they are capable of:
--I suggest you NOT view in full screen, it will make you dizzy  
--As you watch, note:
--in the first 4-12 seconds of the video; the one on the right repeatedly sticks his white tentacles out and grabs a snack
--how their colors change; and their color radiates in waves
--how they WALK with two of their outside tentacles
--how their fins are rippling along their body as they propel themselves

This was definitely the highlight ... also because i could actually see them, and watch how they moved.   I hope you enjoy this with at least a fraction of my excitement !
You can also go to:  https://youtu.be/Rq1N4t31cgc    .... the quality might be better

i've been doing a lot of research on CuttleFish and came across this crazy piece of information regarding mating behavior that i've never heard before:
Usually the bigger, stronger male gets the girl, right?   However, the female calls the shots and rejects 70% of the males.   But there is something else going on.   The smaller males actively engage in 'cross-dressing' a like female, acting like females, hiding their male apparatus, and just hanging out.   Eventually they see 2 larger makes 'duking it out' or chasing each other.   Then the little guy pops in for a bit of CuttleFish Love.   The cross-dressers are successful almost 40% of the time !    Not sure what this is doing to the brute strength of the gene pool; but it certainly increases the intelligence of the species  :)


Next up are SeaHorses and PipeFish
I think you all know that the Male SeaHorse carries the unborn babies, this is also true for the PipeFish.
Here are some other facts
-- Seahorses swim upright, and propel themselves using a small fin on their back that flutters up to 35 times per second, smaller pectoral fins near the back of the head are used for steering.

In this video, you can see the fin on the back fluttering to move it along

-- Because of their body shape, seahorses are rather inept swimmers, as you can see in the video above.   They can easily die of exhaustion if caught in storm-roiled seas.   But, they can anchor themselves to sea grass and corals with their prehensile tails


This one is from one of our night dives and you can see the tail holding on to some coral

-- Seahorses have no teeth nor stomach. Food passes through their digestive systems so quickly, they must eat almost constantly on plankton and tiny fish to stay alive
-- They can consume 3,000 or more brine shrimp per day.
 --Each eye moves independently, so it can follow the activity of passing sea life without giving its presence away

This is another SeaHorse from the same night dive.   There were 3 of them right here together, but the 3rd one was uncooperative

-- Females have a territory of about 1000 sq ft and males have a territory of about 5 sq feet, and their territories overlap
-- Seahorses are monogamous and mate for life, engaging in an eight hour courtship dance which includes spinning around, swimming side by side and changing colours.
-- Before the female can pass the eggs to the male they have to be moving at the same speed in the same movements at the same time.
-- Gestation time varies from 14 days to 4 weeks
-- The male seahorse carries the eggs in his pouch until they hatch, then releases fully formed, miniature seahorses into the water
-- can change color very quickly and match any surroundings in which it finds itself

This one is 'pretty in pink'

PipeFish 
The name comes from the fact that they have a pipe-like snout that ends in a toothless mouth with an upward opening
Differences
-- they have a dorsal fin to help them move, but they don’t have the pectoral fin like seahorses
-- not all have a prehensile tail
-- they swim horizontally

Like this one that was about 15" long, swimming, horizontally, across the sand by some ropes.  Ropes are a great place to look for critters.

This is a pregnant Reef PipeFish .... i think that is pretty obvious.

This is a Ringed PipeFish ... really striking looking ..

check out that tail !

There are also Pygmy PipeFish ... which are obviously, very small and obviously, very hard to see.    This one was from a night dive, and it took me a long time to realize it was 'something' other than a 'worm'.   It was about 1/2" long and so skinny.   Notice the prehensile tail

During the last day of diving, we saw this Pygmy PipeFish.   He was really cool and about 2" long.   Look closely and you can see the dorsel fin (middle of back), that they use for locomotion

I was proud to find something on my own.   This is a photo i took of what i thought was a Pygmy PipeFish .... amazing photo, in perfect focus ....a piece of yarn/string !    Welcome to my eye's world of diving !

There are also Pygmy SeaHorses.   We made a special trip to find one.   It was down to 90+ feet, so we could only stay down that deep for about 10min.   Gien and Phil both looked diligently.   Gien uses a flashlight to help him see.   Notice how they are both so close to the sea floor, yet not touching it .... experiened divers !

that's why i stayed away and took photos of the pretty reef

and practiced using my camera on this anemone.    i knew i wouldn't be able to find the SeaHorse,  and i might possibly just kick up some sand  :(

this is the beautiful pink coral that the Pygmy SeaHorse calls home ...Gien said he saw it, but it was way down deep inside the coral.   i took a photo and keep looking at it, thinking i will magically see something, but don't see anything in there !  

I found this photo on the internet, so you could see just how incredibly darling they are; because i doubt i will ever see one to share with you.    Their body is covered by tubercles of the same color as their host.   How is that for making yourself look like your surroundings !   Amazingly camouflaged.  Oh, i forgot to mention, the biggest they get is 3/4 inch ... that is PYGMY !

Ghost PipeFish
This is another PipeFish, but it is different from most.
-- The Male does NOT carry the eggs, the Female does.
-- They spend a lot of time floating as plankton and don't settle onto the reef until they are almost adult length.   So they have a wide geographic range.
-- They range in size from 4-6"
-- And they are masters of disguise.  So they say, although, i might beg to differ with them after seeing that little Pygmy SeaHorse.
-- The difference is that they don't just change their coloring, they can change their shape; ... to mimic leaves, crinoids, algae, sponges and sea grass.  
-- They are generally found in pairs.  The Males is smaller and skinnier;  and the Female is larger, with bigger fins

This is a Robust Ghost PipeFish.     You now know which is Male and which is Female.

i should have taken a video, because they really do have an uncanny ability to sway with the surge or current in the same way as an inanimate leaf.

So ends Part 2.   There is still more fun stuff to come:  FrogFish, Shrimps, Crabs.    I received several responses to Part 1, and i am happy that, at least some of you, are also enjoying the 'little stuff'.

This is taking a lot longer than normal, because i am researching and learning along with you.
Thanks for coming along !

New Obsession Snorkeling vs Diving - Part 1 - Nudibranch Intro

Snorkeling vs Diving

i think everyone knows, i really enjoy my snorkeling.   it’s usually free, and i can go wherever i want, by myself, stay in the water for as long as i want, many times up to 3 hours, taking 300+ photos.   And it is relaxing and good exercise.
 
But, i am certified as an “Advanced Diver”, and typically, i would do 3-5 dives during my winter adventure.  Many times, just because i want to keep current.   Diving is expensive, equipment intensive, and you spend a lot of time preparing.   The deeper you dive down, the more air you use, and the shorter you can stay in the water.   If you are lucky, you are in the water for 50min.   And in my case, i am following my Dive Guide around (like a little duckling) because i don’t want to get lost, and i want them close by if anything goes wrong.   so it’s not conducive to ‘roaming’.   and there are always too many divers around, getting in each other’s way when you see something interesting.   and, if you want to take any photos, you get left behind while you snap away.  they usually don’t want to wait around for you to take photos, …they are on the move.

however, diving is very freeing, and it’s amazing to be able to breathe under water and not have to come up for air, and being totally weightless.  it’s definitely a different experience from snorkeling.  but obviously, without a lot of diving experience, my comfort level is not as great.  i just never felt it was worth the time, effort, and money.   Rarely did i see anything out of the ordinary.    And, if i did, i did not have a camera that could capture it at that depth.   My camera was only good for down to 15 meters, about 50 feet.   I bought a GoPro last year that could go much deeper, but was very disappointed with the photos.

I also have to admit that the couple days of snorkeling that i've done so far this year, i felt a bit ‘let down’.    All the fishes that i saw were ‘repeats’.   i’ve seen them before, i know their names, and have many photos of them, i’m not seeing anything new.  so it’s not been as exciting as it was 2 years ago.   And, definitely not as exhilarating as the last month in Indonesia last year.   The bar just keeps getting set higher and higher.   So that was disappointing to me ….call me spoiled   :(

But, i’ve always been fascinated by the photos of those little brightly colored creatures.   i belong to a FaceBook Group of people who post photos of those creatures, and i always wished i could see them for myself.     They are generally and inch or less in size, some smaller than a grain of rice.  so in spite of being brightly colored, they are very difficult to find, and usually deeper than i could hold my breath.

Last year in the Philippines, i met Phil, who had an underwater housing for a camera like mine (Olympus).    i was envious of the photos he took while diving; they were amazing!   my camera is several years old, has served me VERY well, but ‘on it’s last leg’.   so this summer i splurged; bought the newer model and the underwater housing.    When i found out he was returning to the Philippines to do some Muck Diving; i kind of invited myself to join him.   He was kind enough to tell me where he was staying, and i booked myself there too; which is how i ended up at Aivy Maes in Dauin.   There are several places, in the WORLD, that are known for their Muck Diving, and this is one of them.



Muck Diving

so, what is this Muck Diving that i am talking about?   Basically you are searching on the floor of the sea for tiny creatures.    So far, it’s not really been ‘muck’, as us Michiganders would envision it.   It is sand, and here, it is dark heavily-grained sand… definitely NOT  ‘mucky’ ! 
 
People used to refer to it as Macro diving with this definition:  seeing tiny creatures, that photographers use macro lenses to allow them to take big, close up pictures of the minuscule.   Diving that does not focus on the big stuff.  “Macro Divers are not blown away by a manta or a shark gliding past - they just want to get up close with the marine creatures of lesser stature but no less fascinating.”

I might also add that in the past, being able to focus on the tiny stuff required large very expensive camera equipment.   Now, however, technology has evolved enough to allow quite impressive results with a simple ‘point and shoot’ camera.

With Muck Diving there also is an important element in being able to maintain yourself ‘stable’ enough underwater, to be able to hold still long enough to focus on the tiny stuff.   Which means you better be a pretty well-experienced diver.    so, although i was excited to try this, i knew it could be a problem for me, … i did not consider myself to be at this level of competency.    I didn't want to be the one who is ‘out of control’, flailing arms and legs around, and stirring up the sand, ....ruining everyone’s photos !

But, here i am, and i’m going to do the best i can, and try to stay out of everyone’s way.   Our Dive Guide was ‘Gien’, ...:like the drink" he said  :)   He was nothing short of amazing.   Good English (important), very competent, patient, and nice.   He got me all set up with my equipment and we were ready to go.   Something else different here.   Normally you get in a boat, speed off somewhere, and jump in the water.   Here, we entered the water from the shore.    Quite a bit more cumbersome.   First walking down to the beach through heavy sand with full diving gear on, including a 30-35 pound tank and 12 pound weight belt.    Gien was very sweet to be right by my side, holding on to me, until i got in the water, then still holding me while i clumsily (defined as lacking in skill and finesse) put my fins on.   The paperwork that you have to fill out, asks your age.   I am sure this is why he was so caring and respectful with me, .....  i am  ‘old’  … and the Philippinos are very respectful of their elders !

The dive was GREAT !
It was not at all like any other dive i’ve been on.   It was only Phil and I with Gien, that was awesome!    and we went really slow, Gien is fantastic at finding those tiny creatures and pointing them out.    a lot of the times i could not see what he was pointing at, but he didn’t give up until i finally saw it.   like this tiny ScorpionFish.    Usually ScorpionFish are 10-15” and, although very well camouflaged, once they are pointed out to you, you don’t have any trouble seeing them.   This one was about 1.5” long …. and it took me a long time to see it !   The deeper you go, the less light there is, so the color is washed out.   but OMG, check out the color captured with my new camera !  

Unfortunately not everything is out in the open.   The next 2 photos will let you know just how difficult it is to find critters.   The pink spots, are the arms of a Crab, but he was not a willing subject for a photo.  

and this yellow claw, is from a tiny Squat Lobster.   i know, you can’t tell what i plant and what is animal ... :(

How Gien ever sees these creatures is amazing.   Although he does have 25 yr old eyes; a person still needs to know ‘where’ to look for things.

and, he was happy to have us take photos, so there was no rush.   in fact he encouraged photos and then he put them on his FaceBook page.   many of mine are on there now  :)   we didn’t cover a very large area, so he would be looking for new things to see, while we were taking photos.   so, he was always within eye-sight.   it was totally relaxing.

the other fun thing was being able to take photos of fish that i previously had not been able to get while snorkeling, plus, the colors!    this is a Yellow Tailed Corlis, i cannot tell you how many times i tried to get this photo while snorkeling …

everything is just magically brighter, and within ‘reach’.   like this small ThreadFin Anthias

even little ‘Nemo’ just ‘pops’ out of the Anemone, and the Anemone has a much richer texture … just like it actually looks to my eyes underwater !

I got out of the water LOVING the dive!   and LOVING my new camera!   I did a pretty good job of staying out of Phil’s way while he was taking a photo, before i attempted mine, in case i stirred up the sand, (which i did).    So i have a LOT of room for improvement !   Phil is helping me with some pointers:   keep my head down, and my feet up in the air, to keep them off the sand.

The next day Gien asked if we wanted to dive at Thalatta.    Yes, i wanted more!   This day, a group of 7 got in a van and we drove 20min south, turned down a narrow rutted dirt road and arrived at the beach.    This was an unprotected area and the waves were HUGE.     ….and we are going to enter from the beach?    Gien really was holding on to me this time, plus there were big rocks in the water that you couldn’t see.    Fortunately i was NOT the one that dropped his fins in the water and lost them !!!!!!!!!!    Poor guy, i thought he was going to be spending the day on shore, but Gien found them for him and off we were.   Although there were 7 of us, there were only 4 in our group with Gien, the new guy who lost his fins was in our group.  

I actually found a couple of Flounders myself, and a small SeaHorse, neither one merits a photo.   The SeaHorse had his head in the coral and wouldn’t move.  :(

Unfortunately, our ‘new guy’ sucked all his air out quickly and we surfaced after only 30min.   Phil and I both had over a half a tank of air left.    We were disappointed, but that’s how it works.   When someone runs low on air, the responsible thing to do is end the dive early  :(

However, the day was not lost.   When we got back, Gien had planned a dive to The Pier, an old structure that is no longer in service.    We heard it’s one of the best sites for Muck Diving   ….can’t refuse that !     Back in the van to the north and down another narrow rutted road to the beach.   It’s a bit of a walk to The Pier from where we parked.   Gien and Zig, the other Dive Instructor, insisted that they carry my tank down the beach.    I didn’t think it was necessary; i am almost 70, but i’m in good shape.     I protested, but honestly … i would have been struggling.   I would have had to stop along the way and waste precious time.    It is very difficult walking in thick squishy sand with a wet wetsuit, full gear, a 30-35 pound tank and a 12 pound weight belt, carrying your substantial fins, mask, and camera.    Zig had his own gear AND carried my tank   :(

The waves had settled down a bit, it was still rough, but with Gien helping me get my fins on, we started swimming for the pier.   It was a tiring swim against the current, but we arrived.   oh and … the ‘air-sucking-guy’ went with another group, it was just us 3 again  :)

I was over-the-top with this Dive Site !   It was difficult to keep up with all the creatures Gien was finding.    We actually visited this site again the last day i was there.   It was the same incredible experience !


I have so many photos to share with you.  i'm going to start with photos of Nudibranchs.    First i'll tell you a little bit about them and show examples.
-A Nudibranch is also called a Sea Slug, it is like a snail without a shell.
-they range from 1/4 inch to 12"
-they do have eyes, embedded in their skin, so very difficult to see.    They cannot distinguish images, only light and dark
-they are hermaphrodites!  Each one is simultaneously a male and a female.   They possess reproductive organs of both sexes, although a nudibranch cannot fertilize itself.   While mating they fertilize each other, then both lay eggs in a beautiful spiral that looks like a rose.   i've shown this photo before.

-the name Nudibranch essentially means 'naked gills' and refers to the fact that without a shell, the gills are exposed.   Gills are what they use to 'breathe'.   Many nudibranchs can quickly withdraw them into a gill pocket, if they are in danger of being nibbled by a predator.

The 'frilly' parts sticking up, are the gills on this Dusky Nembrotha kuberyana.   They are hard to miss and i can see why they might look like 'easy-pickins' for something.  this one was about 2" long so easier to see, especially when crawling across the sand

some Nudis have gills called 'cerata' that look like spikes sticking out of their bodies, like this Much Desired Flabellina.   The ...'Much Desired' .. is honestly part of the name

and this is a Much Desired Flabellina juvenile that will eventually grow up to look like it's parents.   it was very important to Gien that i saw this one and photograph it.   he said it was rare to see one !

 -the other distinguishing feature of the Nudi are their Rhinophores, which look like horns.  They use them to 'smell' and find their food.   These also can be withdrawn as well.  There are different types of Rhinophores.   Some are tapered cylinders like on this Miller's Nembrotha

some Rhinophores are bulbous at the end like the ones on this Semper Armina

some are little 'stubs'.    Phil was photographing this Gymnodoris subflava.   When he left, i got my turn.  I took a few snaps and the little thing just 'flew up' and moved over to a different piece of grass .. one that was much more conducive to photographing !    Some times it pays to wait your turn.  Other times whatever they were looking at, decides to crawl into a hole or behind some coral, by the time you get there.   It almost looks like you can see through this one... strange.    This one was really small, but at least it was brightly colored and easier to see.

 - another part of their anatomy are their 'oral tentacles', which helps them feel their way, but also probably detects smells.   they are on either side of their mouth.   they are very visible on this Indian Caloria.   The rhinophores are pulled back and the 'tentacles' are way out front

 - that just leaves their mouth, which i unsuccessfully tried to get a photo of on this Nembrotha lineolata.  i don't think it is possible, but it does look like he is smiling :)

Most of the Nudi's that Gien found for us were less than 1/2 inch and incredibly difficult to see even when he pointed them out.    This one really blended in with her surroundings.  Luckily 'she' was so sparkly!   This is a Krakatoa Hypselodoris, again with these names.   i couldn't find any other name for the beauty.  There are 3000 Nudibranchs, and i guess people got tired of giving them cute little names   :(     We could have a contest:  Name that Nudi

Gien pointed this out to me, although i couldn’t see it, nor tell what it was, i took a photo and got to see it when i got back and put it on my computer.  It is another Flabellina

This one was probably discovered by someone named 'Kunie'.   This exquisite specimen is called Kunie's Nudibranch  !    I really like the subtle coloring on this one

a Geometric Chromodoris with another shape of Rhinophores.

i am quite proud to say that i found this one all by myself!   not only was it tiny, but it was so SKINNY, like a piece of yarn.    no one else saw it but me because they were all off looking at other amazing things.  It is called a Gloomy Tambja, but it doesn't look 'gloomy' to me

This was definitely the tiniest Nudi i saw.   One of the other Dive Guides pointed it out to me, and insisted i see it.     It is a Noumeaella sp. 1, at least that's the 'name' i found on line.

These next 3 area all called Painted Thecacera.   There are 2 of them together in this photo.

They were very cute and fat, not like the other Nudis

I took the day off diving and went snorkeling, thinking i could find something by myself.   That was a silly thought!   But i did see several divers all huddled with camera.   After they left, i dove down and found this pretty blue Nudi.   Gien said it is not a normal one here and didn't know what it was.   I went to a Facebook group i belong to and posted it.   It is an interesting one, because just a few years ago it was re-classified as Trinchesia (Tenellia) sp., formerly Cuthona sp.    Who figures this stuff out?

This is a Spotted hypselodoris, a little out of focus, ... it was very tiny !

and a Girdled Glossodoris

and Anna's Chromodoris

That is the end of your lesson on Nudibranchs.    Next Blog will have photos and lessons about Crabs, Shrimps, SeaHorse, plus more !

I hope you are not disappointed at the lack of fish photos, but i haven't seen anything that i haven't shown you before.   So i hope you can appreciate the excitement of my new obsession with the 'little stuff' while  Muck Diving !