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On dive trips, I videotape animal behaviors with a Sony DCR-TRV10 in an Ikelite clear polycarbonate housing. The photos below are stills captured from various video clips. These images are here for browsing only and may not be used for any other purpose without consent. Click on the thumbnail image to view more detail. If you have problems viewing the larger images, make sure that you have Java enabled in your browser preferences.

The dwarf moray eel is bright yellow to brown and is common in Hawaii but rarely seen. Eels spend most of their time within the reef structure and are dangerous when provoked. Size: up to 22.5 cm (10.2 inches). Hawaii.

Commerson's frogfish are ambush predators that look like large chunks of sponge. The large, fleshy pectoral fins are used as feet, as this fish cannot swim. Variable in color, it reaches 20 cm in length. Hawaii.

The giant clam is probably the best-known bivalve encountered on coral reefs. Reaching a diameter of 1.5 meters, it is reputed to live up to 200 years. The mantle contains light and pressure sensitive spots that cause the shell to quickly close its valves if disturbed. Australia.

The tiny leaf scorpionfish may be red, yellow, or black. Algae grows in the skin, possibly to help in camouflage, and the skin is shed periodically. This species is further disguised from its prey by mimicking the motion of a leaf swaying back and forth in the current. Size: to 10 cm. Hawaii.

Although common in some areas, barramundi cod adults are not seen much due to their secretive and shy nature. Maximum length 70 cm. Australia.

The 7-11 crab is named for the dark spots on its body. The strong claws are used to break open hard-shelled prey. The carapace of this species can be 15 cm across. Hawaii.

This bright red rose is actually the egg mass of the Spanish dancer, a dorid nudibranch. The eggs appear lavender at depths exceeding 3 meters as red wavelengths are quickly lost when they enter the water. Hawaii.

Flatworms may be very colorful or very drab.  Most are carnivorous, and are often found under rubble. This divided flatworm is active by day and almost certainly toxic or distasteful to potential predators. To 2 1/2 inches. Hawaii.

Although parrotfish are generally fast-moving and shy, this surf parrotfish stopped for a few seconds to check me out. Their teeth are fused into strong, beaklike dental plates which they use to scrape algae from coral. This scraping and crunching is easily heard underwater. To 15 inches. Australia.

Anemones are essentially an overgrown coral polyp that lacks a hard skeleton. The pink anemonefish is found on coastal and inner reefs on slopes and in lagoons. Anemone may host several small individuals. Fish size: to 10 cm. Australia.

Allen, Dr. G. R. and Steene, R., Indo-Pacific Coral Reef Field Guide, Singapore: Tropical Reef Research, 1996

Fielding, A. and Robinson, E., An Underwater Guide to Hawai'i, Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1993

Gosliner, T., Behrens, D., and Williams, G.; Coral Reef Animals of the Indo-Pacific, Monterey, CA: Sea Challengers, 1996

Halstead, B., Coral Sea Reef Guide, Danville, CA: Sea Challengers, 2000

Hoover, J., Hawaii's Fishes, Honolulu: Mutual Publishing, 1996

Hoover, J., Hawai'i's Sea Creatures, Honolulu: Mutual Publishing, 1998

Kuiter, R.,  Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia, Australia: New Holland Publishers Pty Ltd, 1997

Randall, J., Shore Fishes of Hawai'i, Vida, OR: Natural World Press, 1996