This little cutie is a.... Juvenile Smooth Trunkfish.
The dark colored body with the large spots.... will change shape as they grow.
This particular one, seems to be on it's way to the triangular shape.... that they have as an adult.
But when they are very, very young..... they are almost completely round.
And definitely smaller than a marble.
It uses it's protruding lips to expel a jet of water.
Which disturbs the sandy seabed.... and reveals any shallowly buried insects worms, clams, snails or crabs.
Any of which this guy would call.... good eating.
So, I'm swimming along.... checking out what's what on the reef.
When I see this guy, an Arrowcrab.... climbing out of crevice behind the Anemone.
Actually there were two of them.... climbing out together.
So, now I'm wondering.... what they were up to back there.
Was it just the two of them.... fooling around.
Or is the secret entrance to some kind of a clubhouse.
With a big old party happening back there.... invitation only!
When Horton Hears the Who.
Is he really hearing from an entire universe.... that lives on the head of a pin?
I haven't seen the movie, or read the book.... if there is one.
But I am thinking that is the premise of that story.
So, here is the eye of a Porcupine Fish.... take a close look.
Is that not.... an entire universe that we are seeing in there.
I don't hear anything.... but it sure looks like Horton might.
Not so long ago.... in BoM #232.
I wrote about Hermit Crabs.... and their blue eyes.
And so began a quest.... for the perfect pixture of those baby blues.
This is probably not the best I will get.... but it is a step in that direction.
The top 1/2 of the frame.... is pretty much all shell.
While the lower part of the frame.... is the bottom in this section of the reef.
Notice how similar they are.
The Hermit Carbs, striking blue eyes.... are mounted on the ends of moveable stalks.
And, are made up of faceted lenses.
Making them particularly good at.... picking up fine movements, in the world around them.
The Bearded Fireworm is a slow creature.... not considered a threat to humans unless touched.
They are kind of remind you of a fuzzy caterpillar.
But definitely no fun to touch.
The white bristles, along the side of their body, when flared.... can penetrate human skin.
Injecting a powerful neurotoxin.... that produces an intense irritation and a painful burning sensation.
This sting can also lead to nausea and dizziness.
The sensation lasts up to a few hours.... but a painful tingling can continue beyond that, at the area of contact.
Applying a removing adhesive tape will help to remove the spines.... applying alcohol will also help alleviate the pain.
I said applying.... not drinking.
