Mad as a Marine Biologist

High-res Harlequin Ornate Ghost Pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus) by Samantha Craven The ornate ghost pipefish or harlequin ghost pipefish, Solenostomus paradoxus, is a pipefish of the family Solenostomidae.  This pipefish has short skin filaments on its snout, body and fins with jagged edges. Anecdotal evidence suggests that all ghost pipefish settles as males and later, with proper environmental or social cues some change into females. They are frequently found hovering head down among crinoids (and are well camouflaged here) and soft corals and feed primarily on crustaceans.This is the male variation.  

Harlequin Ornate Ghost Pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus) by Samantha Craven

The ornate ghost pipefish or harlequin ghost pipefish, Solenostomus paradoxus, is a pipefish of the family Solenostomidae.  This pipefish has short skin filaments on its snout, body and fins with jagged edges. Anecdotal evidence suggests that all ghost pipefish settles as males and later, with proper environmental or social cues some change into females. They are frequently found hovering head down among crinoids (and are well camouflaged here) and soft corals and feed primarily on crustaceans.This is the male variation.  

Snorkel Adventures last weekend. 

Sandy areas hold large amounts of AMAZING life. Anchor and boat damage affects these organisms too. Use mooring buoys wherever possible - “it’s just sand” is not an excuse. 

Also - need to find a way to dive this beach. Lung capacity does not account for Cephalopods. 

oftheoceanofthesea: Banded Pipefish The banded pipefish has a straight, elongated body which reaches a maximum length of 19 cm. It has fleshy streams coming back from its head, trailing sometimes metres behind the fish itself. These trails are thought to be mechanisms of camouflage for the pipefish whilst hiding in reeds. Similar to other seahorses and pipefish, the male banded pipefish is equipped with a specialized brood pouch, rather than the female. The female will deposit her eggs in the male’s pouch, where they will be developed. The male will later give birth

oftheoceanofthesea:

Banded Pipefish

The banded pipefish has a straight, elongated body which reaches a maximum length of 19 cm. It has fleshy streams coming back from its head, trailing sometimes metres behind the fish itself. These trails are thought to be mechanisms of camouflage for the pipefish whilst hiding in reeds. Similar to other seahorses and pipefish, the male banded pipefish is equipped with a specialized brood pouch, rather than the female. The female will deposit her eggs in the male’s pouch, where they will be developed. The male will later give birth

(via ocean-ology)

High-res Another gem delivered to me by Malapascua - though I’d seen a few before, it’s special everytime :) The ornate ghost pipefish or harlequin ghost pipefish, Solenostomus paradoxus, is a pipefish of the family Solenostomidae found in the Western Pacific and the Indian ocean along reef edges prone to strong currents. They reach a maximum length of 12 cm. They vary in color from red, yellow to black and are almost transparent. They feed mostly on mysids and benthic shrimp. Females carry the eggs in their pelvic fins that are modified to form a brood pouch

Another gem delivered to me by Malapascua - though I’d seen a few before, it’s special everytime :)

The ornate ghost pipefish or harlequin ghost pipefish, Solenostomus paradoxus, is a pipefish of the family Solenostomidae found in the Western Pacific and the Indian ocean along reef edges prone to strong currents.

They reach a maximum length of 12 cm. They vary in color from red, yellow to black and are almost transparent. They feed mostly on mysids and benthic shrimp. Females carry the eggs in their pelvic fins that are modified to form a brood pouch