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Tag: identification

Marine life identification sources online

15 August, 2018 Michael Fineberg Critter Finder, For Experienced Divers

Updated: 17 Apr, 2022 While a good library is handy, sometimes a particular species is difficult to identify. Fortunately, there[…]

Library: My favorite books to identify marine wildlife

28 September, 2017 Michael Fineberg Books, Critter Finder, Dive Equipment, For Experienced Divers

If you’re wanting to improve your knowledge of sea life, there are a few books I would recommend for your[…]

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Shaun the Sheep (the nudi version, Costasiella kur

Shaun the Sheep (the nudi version, Costasiella kuroshimae) has a big family, and this cousin of his, Costasiella usagi, is a cutie patootie! 29 August, 2025 Perhentian Kecil, Malaysia [#Sony A7R IV with a 90mm macro lens and #aoi +12.5 adaptor in a #Nauticam housing]

Cryptic shrimp - those who camouflage themselves -

Cryptic shrimp - those who camouflage themselves - are among my favourites to find and shoot. Possibly and probably Boshma's gorgonian shrimp (Hamodaecylus boschmai), or maybe Hamodaecylus cf noumeae 2 (RCITP). 13 June, 2025 T3, Perhentians, Malaysia [#Sony A7R IV with a 90mm macro lens and an @aoi_underwater +12.5 adaptor in a @nauticamhousings housing] Diving with @turtlebaydivers !

I am so happy to be included in the latest issue o

I am so happy to be included in the latest issue of "Parivesa", both on the cover, and with a collection of my work! These are from Ambon, Indonesia, which has some of my favourite diving in the world. I have edited over 1,500 shots from my time there which I hope highlight how special this place is. Here's about ten of those, picked by @s___anti for the second issue of @parivesamagazine Enjoy 🙂 https://issuu.com/parivesa/docs/parivesa_magazine_02

Everyone's favourite gentle giant fish - the whale

Everyone's favourite gentle giant fish - the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) visited South-West Pinnacle near Koh Tao, Thailand for a few hours. Not feeding, just hanging around, swimming in large, languid circles, checking out the divers. 27 July, 2025 South-West Pinnacle, Koh Tao, Thailand [#Sony A7R IV with a 90mm macro lens in a @nauticamhousings housing, also a @dji Action 4] #divinglife #divingisfun #divevacation #padi #paditravel #padiadventures #paditv #divingisfun #oceanlife #scuba #scubadiving #diving #natgeoyourshot #natgeo #natgeotravel #whaleshark #sharks #thailand🇹🇭 #divethailand #kohtao #southwestpinnacle @paditv @paditravel Diving with @scubashackkohtao and @martinlvb !

Aspects of camouflage vary so much, as everything

Aspects of camouflage vary so much, as everything tries to look like nothing. A bit of algae, maybe? A rare Brock's (or tasselled) pipefish (Halicampus brocki) snuffles around rock walls and the ocean floor, looking for food to suck up just off Koh Tao. 1 August, 2025 Green Rock, Koh Tao, Thailand [#Sony A7R IV with a 90mm macro lens and an @aoi_underwater +12.5 adaptor in a @nauticamhousings housing] #oceanlife #scuba #scubadiving #sonyalpha #sonya7riv #diving #paditv #natgeoyourshot #natgeo #natgeotravel #macro #macrophotography #underwater #uwphotography #uwphoto #underwaterphotography #underwaterpic #underwatermacro #tinywonders #underwaterworld #marinebiology #oceanvibes #closeupnature #macrodiving #pipefish #fish #brockspipefish #halicampusbrocki Diving with the lovely @scubashackkohtao and @martinlvb !

A majestic whale shark (Rhincodon typus) joins the

A majestic whale shark (Rhincodon typus) joins the divers at South-West Pinnacle; just swimming around, checking everyone out. 27 July, 2025 South-West Pinnacle, Koh Tao, Thailand [DJI Action 4] Diving with @scubashackkohtao and @martinlvb !

"Ahh! What are you paparazzi doing here? Oh, you'

"Ahh! What are you paparazzi doing here? Oh, you're here for little old me? Oh, well, you see..." (captioning each image in turn) The Black-fingered Coral Clinger, or furry coral crab (Cymo melanodactylus) - not to be confused with the hairy coral crab (Cymo andreossyi) - is a shy crab living inside the nooks and crannies of table coral (Acropora sp.). 18 July, 2025 T2, Perhentian Besar, Malaysia [#Sony A7R IV with a 90mm macro lens in a @nauticamhousings housing] #divinglife #diveasia #divingisfun #divingpulauperhentian #divingmalaysia #divevacation #padi #paditravel #paditv🐋🐟🐬 #padiadventures #paditv #malaysiadiving #malaysia #cuticutimalaysia #visitmalaysia #visitterengganu #pakejpulauperhentian #divingisfun #oceanlife #scuba #scubadiving #diving #natgeoyourshot #natgeo #natgeotravel #macro #macrophotography #underwatermacro #tinywonders #crab @paditv @paditravel Diving with @lekkerdivers !

"Oi! Give us all you got! Yer money or yer life!"

"Oi! Give us all you got! Yer money or yer life!" Wearing a mask to hide their face, a bandit coral crab (Tetralia nigrolineata) hides inside a tangle of coral, sharing the hide out with various anthias & triple-spot humbug fish. 15 June, 2025 Batu Nisan, Perhentians, Malaysia [#Sony A7R IV with a 90mm macro lens and an @aoi_underwater +12.5 adaptor in a @nauticamhousings housing] #divinglife #diveasia #divingisfun #divingpulauperhentian #divingmalaysia #divevacation #padi #paditravel #paditv🐋🐟🐬 #padiadventures #paditv #malaysiadiving #malaysia #cuticutimalaysia #visitmalaysia #visitterengganu #pakejpulauperhentian #divingisfun #oceanlife #scuba #scubadiving #diving #natgeoyourshot #natgeo #natgeotravel #macro #macrophotography #underwatermacro #tinywonders #crab @paditv @paditravel Diving with @lekkerdivers !

Much like we are tiny creatures on the back of the

Much like we are tiny creatures on the back of the Great A'Tuin (the Giant Star Turtle (Chelys galactica) who travels through the Discworld universe), so too are Seastar shrimp (Zenopontonia soror) the tiny residents on the back of pin-cushion seastars (Culcita novaeguineae) in the Perhentians. June, 2025 Var., Perhentians, Malaysia [#Sony A7R IV with a 90mm macro lens and an @aoi_underwater +12.5 adaptor in a @nauticamhousings housing] #divinglife #diveasia #divingisfun #divingpulauperhentian #divingmalaysia #divevacation #padi #paditravel #paditv🐋🐟🐬 #padiadventures #paditv #malaysiadiving #malaysia #cuticutimalaysia #visitmalaysia #visitterengganu #pakejpulauperhentian #divingisfun #oceanlife #scuba #scubadiving #diving #natgeoyourshot #natgeo #natgeotravel #macro #macrophotography #underwatermacro #tinywonders #shrimp Dives have been with @lekkerdivers !

"Of course I'm home, I'm always home! Now go away,

"Of course I'm home, I'm always home! Now go away, I'm eating!" This bright orange tube snail is a Vermetid (Thylacodes sp. A), which, unlike most snails, doesn't move at all. Once they land on a bit of rock or similar, they attach, and grow their shell around them. Part of their head is a "lid" to close their hole and protect themselves from predators (much like a wombat's butt). Because they can't move, they instead vomit out mucus slime strands, which drift out like a net and catch small bits of detritus. After about 30 minutes, they suck their snot back in, munching on anything useful they slurp up. 8 June, 2025 Susu Dara Kecil, Perhentians, Malaysia [#Sony A7R IV with a 90mm macro lens and an @aoi_underwater +12.5 adaptor in a @nauticamhousings housing] #oceanlife #scuba #scubadiving #sonyalpha #sonya7riv #diving #paditv #natgeoyourshot #natgeo #natgeotravel #macro #macrophotography #underwater #uwphotography #uwphoto #underwaterphotography #underwaterpic #underwatermacro #tinywonders #underwaterworld #marinebiology #oceanvibes #closeupnature #macrodiving #snail #marinesnails #vermetid Diving with @lekkerdivers !

"Camoflague comes in as many different styles as t

"Camoflague comes in as many different styles as there are places to hide." A lone Brock's / tasselled pipefish (Halicampus brocki) moves along a remote rock wall, blending in with the algae and encroaching sponge covering everything. 6 June, 2025 Perhentian Kecil, Malaysia [#Sony A7R IV with a 90mm macro lens and an @aoi_underwater +12.5 adaptor in a @nauticamhousings housing] #oceanlife #scuba #scubadiving #sonyalpha #sonya7riv #diving #paditv #natgeoyourshot #natgeo #natgeotravel #macro #macrophotography #underwater #uwphotography #uwphoto #underwaterphotography #underwaterpic #underwatermacro #tinywonders #underwaterworld #marinebiology #oceanvibes #closeupnature #macrodiving #pipefish #fish #brockspipefish #halicampusbrocki Diving with @lekkerdivers !

"The kids are getting ready to face to big, danger

"The kids are getting ready to face to big, dangerous world." A nest of panda fish babies (Saddleback anemonefish, (Amphiprion polymnus)) are just about to hatch. Once they do, they'll no longer be under their highly defensive parents' protection, and their chance of survival becomes low for these delicious morsels. 27 May, 2025 Perhentian Kecil, Malaysia [#Sony A7R IV with a 90mm macro lens and an @aoi_underwater +12.5 adaptor in a @nauticamhousings housing] #oceanlife #scuba #scubadiving #sonyalpha #sonya7riv #diving #paditv #natgeoyourshot #natgeo #natgeotravel #macro #macrophotography #underwater #uwphotography #uwphoto #underwaterphotography #underwaterpic #underwatermacro #tinywonders #underwaterworld #marinebiology #oceanvibes #closeupnature #macrodiving #clownfish #animalbabies #anemonefish #babyanimals Diving with @lekkerdivers !

The Banded Tozeuma / Sawblade shrimp (Tozeuma Arma

The Banded Tozeuma / Sawblade shrimp (Tozeuma Armatum) usually clings to whip coral, looking much like a bump. Until you get closer and shine a light - when its amazing colours and patterns show a beautiful and strange shrimp. 23 May, 2025 Perhentian Kecil, Malaysia [#Sony A7R IV with a 90mm macro lens and an @aoi_underwater +12.5 adaptor in a #Nauticam housing] #oceanlife #scuba #scubadiving #sonyalpha #sonya7riv #diving #paditv #natgeoyourshot #natgeo #natgeotravel #macro #macrophotography #underwater #uwphotography #uwphoto #underwaterphotography #underwaterpic #underwatermacro #tinywonders #underwaterworld #marinebiology #oceanvibes #closeupnature #macrodiving #shrimp #shrimps Diving with @lekkerdivers !

"I think I smell something up there!" A funeral J

"I think I smell something up there!" A funeral Jorunna / Oreo cookie nudi (Jorunna funebris) is covered in papules that make it look almost fuzzy! While sea hares may look like hares, the funeral nudi does look a bit like a fuzzy bunny. 19 May, 2025 Perhentian Kecil, Malaysia [#Sony A7R IV with a 90mm macro lens and #aoi +12.5 adaptor in a #Nauticam housing] #oceanlife #scuba #scubadiving #sonyalpha #sonya7riv #diving #paditv #natgeoyourshot #natgeo #natgeotravel #macro #macrophotography #underwater #uwphotography #uwphoto #underwaterphotography #underwaterpic #underwatermacro #tinywonders #underwaterworld #marinebiology #oceanvibes #closeupnature #macrodiving #nudibranch #seaslug Diving with @lekkerdivers !

"What? You got a problem pal? You want one?!" A g

"What? You got a problem pal? You want one?!" A gold-speckled flatworm (Thysanozoon nigropapillosum) seems mildly perturbed I'm in its way as I get a close-up shot. 19 May, 2025 Perhentian Kecil, Malaysia [#Sony A7R IV with a 90mm macro lens in a #Nauticam housing] #oceanlife #scuba #scubadiving #sonyalpha #sonya7riv #diving #paditv #natgeoyourshot #natgeo #natgeotravel #macro #macrophotography #underwater #uwphotography #uwphoto #underwaterphotography #underwaterpic #underwatermacro #tinywonders #underwaterworld #marinebiology #oceanvibes #closeupnature #macrodiving #flatworm #marinewildlife

"The miracle of life... from a weird tube creature

"The miracle of life... from a weird tube creature." Sea cucumbers have a long list of weird stuff about them - most involving their butt. They breathe through their ass, have crabs and fish that regularly live in their ass, and when threatened, they sh!t their lungs out from their butt like gecko dropping its tail in an attempt to distract a predator. But here's a new one to me: they ejaculate their eggs through their foreheads. Well then. 14 May, 2025 Perhentian Kecil, Malaysia [#Sony A7R IV with a 90mm macro lens in a #Nauticam housing] #oceanlife #scuba #scubadiving #sonyalpha #sonya7riv #diving #paditv #natgeoyourshot #natgeo #natgeotravel #macro #macrophotography #underwater #uwphotography #uwphoto #underwaterphotography #underwaterpic #underwatermacro #tinywonders #underwaterworld #marinebiology #oceanvibes #closeupnature #macrodiving #seacucumber #mating

"I'm warning you! I'm mighty, and not at all tiny!

"I'm warning you! I'm mighty, and not at all tiny!" A diminutive blue ring octopus crawls along the ocean floor, disliking all the attention it's receiving for being so amazing. 26 May, 2025 Perhentian Kecil, Malaysia [#Sony A7R IV with a 90mm macro lens in a #Nauticam housing] #oceanlife #scuba #scubadiving #sonyalpha #sonya7riv #diving #paditv #natgeoyourshot #natgeo #natgeotravel #macro #macrophotography #underwater #uwphotography #uwphoto #underwaterphotography #underwaterpic #underwatermacro #tinywonders #underwaterworld #marinebiology #oceanvibes #closeupnature #macrodiving #blueringedoctopus #octopus #malaysia

"They said make like a tree, and leaf, so I did."

"They said make like a tree, and leaf, so I did." The round/orbicular batfish (Platax orbicularis) looks just like the leaf of a mangrove tree as a juvenile, in an amazing display of evolutionary mimicry. 13 May, 2025 Perhentian Kecil, Malaysia [#Sony A7R IV with a 90mm macro lens in a #Nauticam housing] #oceanlife #scuba #scubadiving #sonyalpha #sonya7riv #diving #paditv #natgeoyourshot #natgeo #natgeotravel #macro #macrophotography #underwater #uwphotography #uwphoto #underwaterphotography #underwaterpic #underwatermacro #tinywonders #underwaterworld #marinebiology #oceanvibes #fish #closeupnature #macrodiving #babyfish

"Snuffling around for something good" A White ridg

"Snuffling around for something good" A White ridged dermatobranchus (Dermatobranchus albus) slowly moves around a giant underwater pinnacle known as "The Temple of the Sea" near Perhentian Kecil, Malaysia. 13 May, 2025 Perhentian Kecil, Malaysia [#Sony A7R IV with a 90mm macro lens in a #Nauticam housing] #oceanlife #scuba #scubadiving #sonyalpha #sonya7riv #diving #paditv #natgeoyourshot #natgeo #natgeotravel #macro #macrophotography #underwater #uwphotography #uwphoto #underwaterphotography #underwaterpic #nudi #nudibranch #underwatermacro #tinywonders #underwaterworld #marinebiology #oceanvibes #seaslug #closeupnature #macrodiving

Dermatobranchus sp. nudibranch. Stonehenge, Koh L

Dermatobranchus sp. nudibranch. Stonehenge, Koh Lipe, Thailand. (No idea what happened, but Instagram deleted my caption!)

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