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squidpastry.bsky.social
Squidpastry
@squidpastry.bsky.social
100 followers 85 following 57 posts
Florida-dwelling sometimes-artist, kinda-photographer. Nefarious, notorious sunfish devotee. My heart belongs to the sea.

Ichthyologist soon-to-be, hopefully.

Activity not guaranteed. We'll see what the tide brings in, aye?
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squidpastry.bsky.social
#fishmas day 17 + 18!

Dwarf seahorses are truly tiny, with adults only reaching a meagre 2 inches.

Meanwhile, lined seahorses are monsters in comparison. Occasionally reaching a mighty 7in, they will consume anything small enough to fit into their mouths- this includes small fish.
#25DaysofFishmas
Close-up photograph of a dwarf seahorse laid out between two of my fingers, submerged underwater. It has a slender body with a tail that takes up half of the body's length, tapering to a point. It's head is shaped much like any other seahorse, except with a knob-like bump on the head and a very short snout. It's eye is large- save for the pupil, it is mottled in the same shades of brown and green as the rest of the body. The lattice-like bony rings that give the seahorse it's rigid form are visible beneath the skin. The seahorse's color is a mottled brown with green accents, as well as small pale spots. A photograph of an adult male lined seahorse laid out on my hand, submerged in water. Unlike the dwarf seahorse, it is far larger, with it's head resting nicely on my thumb and the body spanning the length of my palm, tail curled around the base of my pinkie. This seahorse lacks the knob-like bump atop the head and has a much longer snout typical of most other seahorses. The belly is large and round, and the seahorse is a brown and orange-copper color with many dark brown streaks and lines. The tail, however, is a much darker brown. The back, tail, and head possess tiny stippled white spots. The bony rings are visible just underneath the skin, and form rows of hard spikes down either side of the seahorse as well as two rows along it's back and tail.
December 19, 2024 at 1:23 AM
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#crustmas day 18 (and 17) - double feature!

Pink shrimp can attain respectable sizes, with large individuals measuring up to about 10 inches long. Speaking from experience, they grow fast!

The flat bodies of green porcelain crabs allow them to hide in very narrow spaces. They're quite secretive.
Photograph of a pink shrimp in my hand, submerged underwater. It's a straight-bodied, rather robust shrimp with a pinkish red hue and a slightly translucent body. It has little in the way of distinct markings, except for a pale rim on the back edges of each uropod. The antennae are very long, longer than the body's length, and extend out of frame. The shrimp's eyes gleam yellow and red tones as they react to the camera's flash. Another pink shrimp in my hand, this time lifted from the water. The shrimp's shell is a slight orangeish pink and translucent. Extremely faint stippled stripes are present on it's smooth, reflective shell. Close-up photograph of a green porcelain crab on the surface of a orangeish-brown sponge. The crab, actually a species of squat lobster, has a flattened, round body, which are dwarfed by it's extremely large, broad claws spread outwards from the body. The claws are flattened but not blunt, terminating in sharp tips. The outer margins of the claws have a somewhat thick layer of short fuzz, as does the outer rim of the crab's carapace. It's walking legs are rather stout, and flattened as the rest of the body is. The crab's carapace is covered in fine ridges and bumps, and it's color is a mottled green. The legs have a sparse coating of fine hairs. Head-on view of a green porcelain crab in a photo tank. It's legs raise it from the ground, and the crab has it's claws raised, assuming what can be interpreted as a defensive stance- though this is likely coincidence. The crab peers out from one of it's flat claws with one eye. The underside of the claws and body are varying shades of red and dirty orange.
December 19, 2024 at 1:15 AM
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For day 16 of #fishmas, another sunfish- a warmouth (Lepomis gulosus).

It is a tough species, capable of surviving temperature extremes and oxygen-depleted water. As long as there is enough small prey (it is not choosy) and enough plants to hide in, it is happy.
#25DaysofFishmas
Close-up photograph of a warmouth in a photo tank, with the lake it resides in visible in the background. It is a swampy-looking fish, with a green base coloration with brown-maroon stripes and blotches running down it's sides. The fins, minus the pectoral and caudal fins, are clad in spikes and held out from the body. The eye is purplish, and the scales of the flanks reflect a reddish purple tinge. On the side of it's head, several brown spots travel from it's eye and stretch to the outer edge of the operculum.
December 17, 2024 at 12:29 AM
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Ancinus depressus, the flat pillbug, for day 16 of #crustmas!

This is a wonderfully rectangular, flat isopod that likes the sandy, shelly substrates of nearshore marine habitats, particularly beaches.

When threatened, it rolls into a ball. It's flat, broad shape means it can only try it's best.
Close-up photograph of Ancinus depressus, a white, rectangular-shaped, flattened isopod in the palm of my hand. It's eyes are tiny, and on either side of it's head at the front of it's body. It's telson is triangular and large, taking up a considerable portion of the animal's length (about a quarter). It's shell is pale, white and subtly mottled greyish tones. Close-up photograph of Ancinus depressus, a white, rectangular-shaped, flattened isopod in the palm of my hand. It is now attempting to roll into a ball, but due to it's shape, it can only manage a wide, oblong form. It's telson, being so large, juts out prominently from underneath it's head.
December 17, 2024 at 12:24 AM
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The formidable barbfish, Scorpaena brasiliensis, is the star of day 15 of #fishmas.

The venom sequestered within each fin spine is potent, and causes a laundry list of nasty symptoms, not to mention severe pain. The 'cool' factor is undeniable.
#25DaysofFishmas
Photograph of a barbfish inside of a photo tank. It's resting on the bottom, propped upright with it's huge, fan-like pectoral fins, which are a bright, vivid red. Just above the eyes are large, branching skin extensions, which resemble antlers. The overall color of the fish is a dark brown-red dorsally, grading into a red and then into a cream color near the belly and underside of the head. The fish is covered in leaf-like flaps of skin, which give it a soft appearance. The head is craggy and rough. The dorsal fin is raised slightly, with each spine white-tipped. The fish resembles a stone overgrown with algae, somewhat. Close-up photo of the same barbfish, now head-on. The mouth is curved downwards and gives the impression of a scowl. All of the flaps of skin on the head are clearly visible, giving the appearance of a patchy mane. The elongate skin extensions above the eyes are in full view, and resemble antlers or massive, bushy eyebrows. The underside of the lower jaw is patchy and heavily mottled cream and brown.
December 16, 2024 at 3:04 AM
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A hairy hermit crab, Paguristes karenae, for day 15 of #crustmas! True to it's name, this species is covered in a thick coat of luxurious brown fur.

Additionally, this species was described recently, only two years ago. I think they're really, really cute...
Close-up photograph of a hairy hermit crab in a horse conch shell. The shell is an orange-red color, and the hermit crab erupts from the shell's aperture, completely covered in a thick, shaggy coat of light brown fur. The shell underneath the fuzz is an orange color, and the tips of the walking legs are black. The claws are broad and flat, and also covered in fur. The claws tips are black. The crab's eyestalks are long, colored white with a black ring-like marking in the middle of each. The crab's complicated mouthparts are black and white striped.
December 16, 2024 at 3:03 AM
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And for day 14 of #fishmas, spotted sunfish (not the Mola kind...)

The spotted sunfish is an endemic to the southeastern United States, primarily Florida. These individuals live inside of a flooded sinkhole, where they are one of the only few species of fish present.
#25DaysofFishmas
Underwater photograph of a spotted sunfish, taken form behind. The fish is looking downwards, as it eclipses two others. It swims in blue, clear water. The brown color with white-rimmed fins, black 'ear' patches, and innumerable black spots in rows down the body are hallmarks of this species, and shown to great effect in this photo. Underwater photograph of a spotted sunfish. Sunlight dapples down from above, casting small rainbow shimmers on it's surface. The floor of the flooded sinkhole in which it lives is visible in the background. Another characteristic of the spotted sunfish is it's vibrant blue 'eyeliner', visible as a stripe underneath the eye of the fish. Underwater photograph of a pair of spotted sunfish, taken from above. Their lower jaws jut out slightly, and from this angle it appears that they have a furrowed brow, though this is only the shape of their head. Underwater photograph of an inquisitive spotted sunfish peering closely into the camera in the darkness, below the roof of the sinkhole where it leads into a cave system. The fish is encroaching far into the focal range, so it's face is blurry. It's eyes are blue and reflective.
December 15, 2024 at 3:09 AM
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It's the 14th day of #crustmas! Today, a seasonally appropriate peppermint shrimp (Lysmata boggessi).

This species lives in seagrass beds, oyster reefs, and in sponges unlike many species in the genus. Their vivid color and way of moving, swaying back and forth, make them popular in aquariums.
Close-up photograph of a peppermint shrimp, Lysmata boggessi, riding on my finger. The shrimp's body is a vivid shade of red and it's body is translucent. The red color pigment is arranged in thin stripes, with unpigmented spaces allowing one to see light passing through the body of the shrimp. It's eyes are black, with a dark stripe on the top surface of each eyestalk. The tail fins (uropods) are a deep crimson color. The shrimp is quite small, only about an inch long. Yellowish-green branching algae is visible in the background. Close-up photograph of a huge female peppermint shrimp (Lysmata boggessi) in my hand. For her species she is massive, approximately two inches long. Her entire body is a bright red, with the unpigmented stripes characteristic for the species hardly visible. She is robust, with a thick abdomen and cephalothorax. Her uropods are a darker red color than the first. She is the largest and most vibrantly colored peppermint shrimp I have ever seen.
December 15, 2024 at 2:54 AM
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It's day 13 of #crustmas! This is the blue spot hermit, a small hermit crab that doesn't surpass a few centimeters.

Named for their prominent blue spots on the inner surface of their arms, their eyes and antennae also take on a bluish hue. The feathery antennae catch small pieces of floating food.
A photograph of a blue-spot hermit peering out of a cerith shell in which it resides. The vivid blue spot on the inner surface of the 'forearm' is visible, and rimmed strongly with black pigment. The hermit's shell is of a cerith, an elongate cone-shaped snail. My finger is partially visible in the background, holding up and dwarfing the entire animal. The crab's body and legs are a beige cream color, with each leg bearing reddish stripes. The hermit crab has a somewhat sparse, furry coat. Close-up photograph of a blue spot hermit amongst green, fuzzy algae-covered shells. It's eyestalks peer from it's shell, with light blue eyes and blue-tinged antennae. Two of the antennae possess long filaments, the entire structure resembling a bird's feather somewhat. Fine hair covers the crab's body. The titular blue spot is visible. Close-up photograph of a blue-spot hermit, head on. Both blue spots on the arms are easily visible and very vivid. Two of the antennae have missing tips.
December 14, 2024 at 4:17 AM
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For day 13 of #fishmas, a bandtail puffer.

Of gulf Florida's puffers, the bandtail is amongst the smallest. Small extensions on the skin are effective aids in camouflage, and the row of black spots along the lower flank as well as the reflective eyes are especially beautiful.

#25DaysofFishmas
A close-up photograph of a bandtail puffer, facing the camera and appearing to show a cheeky smirk. It's eyes bulge up from it's head, like a frog. It's body curves slightly, and the back is stony-colored, mostly greyish-brown and strongly mottled with small projections, mimicking algae growth. It's eyes have a bluish-green iridescent sheen. The fish is strongly countershaded, with it's cheek and belly taking on a white color. A side profile of a bandtail puffer. The eyes are mounted on top of the body, giving a somewhat amphibian appearance. It exhibits heavy countershading, with it's brown-green dorsal pattern starkly contrasting with it's white sides and belly. On it's lower flanks, spanning from just under and behind the mouth to the tail, is a row of large dark brown spots. The eyes are coppery colored, with varying shades of orangeish brown and green. The pupils have blue-green iridescence. A photograph displaying the bandtail puffer's camoflauge ability. The patchy, indistinct patterns on it's dorsal surface conceal it well against the background of oysters when viewed from above. It takes on the hue of the green water, made so by a high abundance of algae. The projections on the skin of the puffer make it appear as if there is algae growth on it's surface.
December 14, 2024 at 4:16 AM
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For day 12 of #fishmas, and keeping on-theme, here's a baby and adult leopard searobin.

The odd little 'fingers' under the head are modified fin rays, and are used to walk and feel around in soft substrates for buried prey. They are covered in taste buds and are very sensitive.

#25DaysofFishmas
Photograph of a juvenile leopard searobin held in the palm of my hand. It is scarcely an inch long, with a large head in front of a tail that tapers off quickly. It's wing-like pectoral fins are little, and spread wide like paper fans. The three free pectoral fin rays, resembling the legs of an insect, are held out forwards just underneath the head in front of the pectoral fins. The body color is light brown, with subtly darker bars. Photo of a leopard searobin sitting on my hand just under the surface. It's much larger than the juvenile, taking up most of the space of my hand with just the front half of it's body. The winglike pectoral fins are not fully spread, but are much wider. They feature reddish spots. The little 'legs' are also more robust. The fish is shot from dorsal view, and it's body coloration is akin to that of the juvenile but much darker. The fish features distinct spots along it's flanks, and it's caudal fin is noticeably spotted as well. It's head is slightly flattened, with two eyes on top somewhat like a frog, seated upon a mouth that is somewhat comparable to the bill of a duck.
December 12, 2024 at 8:41 PM
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Happy day 12 of #crustmas! These are Florida stone crabs- baby and adult.

Young stone crabs are tiny and purple, more like a smooth pebble than a stone. Adults, meanwhile, are heavily-armed, brown, and comparatively rugged.
Close-up photo of a very small Florida stone crab, balanced on two of my fingers. The color of it's shell, legs, and claws is a deep blackish purple, without markings except for a white blotch and stripe on each of the walking legs. The eyes are a deep amber color. The shell of this crab is smooth and slick. It's giant claws are tucked underneath it's body. Photograph of a large adult Florida stone crab in dorsal view. It's shell is mottled with lots of dark brown spots. The legs are brown with dark, thick stripes. The rim of the carapace has become more rugged, with subtle bumps. The crab's most striking feature is it's monstrously large claws, which take up almost as much mass as the central body. They are held to the sides and tucked underneath and in front of the body. The outer surface of the claws take on a very slight purple undertone, and the inner surface of the claws are orange. The tips are black.
December 12, 2024 at 8:32 PM
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For day 11 of #fishmas is a ballyhoo! This one is a juvenile.

Ballyhoo are a species of halfbeak, a group of flyingfish and needlefish relatives. Many exhibit an extremely long, disproportionate lower jaw- as for the ballyhoo, it gets much, much longer with age. These fish are accomplished jumpers.
Close-up photograph of a juvenile ballyhoo. It's body is long and cylindrical, with the head of the fish with an extremely tiny upper jaw and a lance-like lower jaw many times the upper jaw's length. The lower lobe of the caudal fin, similarly, is longer than the upper lobe. As a juvenile, it's coloration is different from the adults- bright, light green dorsally, with silver sides and brown-green mottling instead of pure greenish-blue and silver. The upper portions of the head are reflective lime green, and the lower jaw is colored varying shades of copper and greenish hue. Two flaps of skin stretch from the lower jaw's upper tip to the head.
December 11, 2024 at 7:10 PM
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For day 11 of #crustmas is another crab, the spineback hairy crab- also called a gorilla crab by some.

The thick coat of hair that covers it's body conceals the stout, sharp thorns that cover almost the entirety of it's surface. These crabs love living in sponges, and are difficult to extract.
Close-up photograph of a spineback hairy crab held in my hand, out of the water. It's coating of bristly hair lies mostly flat against it's shell, slicked back by gravity. Almost entirely coating it's huge claws are a prominent array of sharp, thorny spines. The claws have dark brown tips, and the body of the crab is various shades of brown. The walking legs have an especially thick coating of hair. Three spineback hairy crabs of various sizes, held in my hand underwater, photographed in dorsal view. Each of them have a thick coating of bristly hair as is characteristic of this species. All have a muddy brown coloration, and one individual is threatening to pinch down on my finger. All of the rest have their claws tucked underneath their carapaces, beady eyes almost lost within their furry coats.
December 11, 2024 at 7:00 PM
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For (a late..) day 10 of #fishmas is personal favorite, the southern codling (or southern hake, if you prefer).

Juveniles, unlike many hakes and cod-likes, grow in nearshore mangrove and seagrass bed habitats before migrating offshore, sometimes to depths of 400 meters.

#25DaysofFishmas
Close-up photograph of a southern codling. It's body is doubled back behind itself, so only much of the front half of the fish is visible in profile view. The body color is a deep brown with some lighter patches on the body. The underbelly grades into a yellow color. The cheek of the fish is a shiny beige, and the side of the head is decorated with a straight black line just above the mouth travelling down the cheek, and a neatly-arranged series of four spots. The head is blunted, with a large mouth featuring a small, singular barbel on the chin that resembles a goatee. The eye, staring into the camera, is a deep, dark brown. The fish has two dorsal fins, one of which is short with a rounded tip, and the second originating just behind the first and travelling all the way to the caudal fin. The pelvic fins have been reduced to threads, and one of them is visible on the belly of this fish. Close-up photo of a juvenile southern codling amongst several shells, fuzzily coated in green algae as red branches of algae poke through amongst them. This fish is notably greenish-blue, with dark blackish dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. The pelvic fins are in full display here, resembling stringlike, two-pronged appendages. The body is somewhat slick and serpentine, finely mottled and stippled, with the fish's extremely small scales visible. Just underneath the large, round eye is a black stripe on the cheek.
December 11, 2024 at 6:47 PM
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A belated day 10 of #crustmas- this is the ornate blue crab!

This species can be distinguished from the larger and often bluer Atlantic blue crab by it's smaller size, matte plastic-like carapace, and tendency towards a bone white coloration. It's aggressive demeanor is much like it's relative.
Close-up photograph of an ornate blue crab, green form. It's shell is a light olive green dorsally, and smooth and matte in texture. It somewhat resembles plastic. The front rim of the carapace is studded with many teeth, all of which are accented with white. The large, menacing claws are held folded up at the crab's sides, and also feature a prominent array of white spikes and thorns. The walking legs of the crab are mostly slightly yellowish, with a central white patch on each segment, blue joint accents, and with yellow tips. The paddle-like swimming legs show these same markings. Close-up photograph of an ornate blue crab, white form, held in my hand. The body is off-white and slightly yellowish. The legs have a slight blue cast, as do the swimming legs. The claws exhibit a deep blue outline on the front margin of the 'forearm' portion, with sharp white spines. Very close-up photograph of an ornate blue crab, white form, facing the camera. It appears to eye the camera suspiciously, white claws slightly open and folded up beneath the body.
December 11, 2024 at 6:47 PM
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Day 9 of #fishmas- just in time too, before day 10 rolls around...

This is the golden topminnow, a particularly lustrous, yet secretive, freshwater killifish. They take shelter in densely vegetated areas, close to the shore of lakes and ponds, lest they fall prey to larger predatory fish.
Close-up photograph of a golden topminnow in a small photo tank. body is roughly cylindrical and rounded, terminating on one end in a slightly flattened head and a large, round caudal fin on the other. The body of the fish is yellow with small red dots, and it's sides are ornamented with prominent golden flecks. The eyes of this fish are large, and bright yellow. They occupy most of the space on each side of the head. The fish's dorsal surface reflects the light from the sun, as does it's yellow belly.
December 10, 2024 at 4:56 AM
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Late-night #crustmas posting, just in time for day nine! Keeping the theme of spindly critters, this is the false arrow crab.

They're named for their extremely elongate, arrow-shaped rostrum. Algae grows sparsely on the shell, enhancing camouflage as such a body offers little physical defense.
Close-up, head-on photograph of a false arrow crab. The central body is pear-shaped, with a sharply upturned rostrum with small white eyes mounted on either side. The body is held up by eight spindly, spider-like legs with spikes on the first joint of each. Slung below the body are two weakly-muscled, tweezer-like claws. The body of the crab is yellow-orange, with it's legs taking on a reddish hue as algae grows on their surfaces. The crab is standing in a field of fine red algae. In the foreground, a branch of mushroom-like Caulerpa algae strays into frame. A photograph of a small juvenile false arrow crab held in my hand. The body is largely without pigment, translucent and pale. Thin brownish-red stripes adorn the body, and stretch from the rostrum down to the bottom of the body, tracing all the way down each leg. Close-up, head-on photograph of a false arrow crab. This one has a triangular body instead of a pear-shaped one, likely indicating this one is a male. The claws are slightly more muscular. Another false arrow crab held in my hand. This one is a mature individual, and is mottled various shades of brown. On the tip of each leg, fine hairs form a fan-like surface, which aid in swimming. There are small, mossy-looking filaments covering each leg and the body of the crab.
December 10, 2024 at 4:55 AM
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Here's a gulf toadfish for day eight of #fishmas!

Spending their time in dark crevices, male toadfish sing to females using their swim bladders. The father toadfish then dutifully and fiercely protects the eggs, never leaving their side until they hatch.
Close-up photograph of a gulf toadfish, taken head-on. The fish's skin is mottled olive and yellow tones, and the branching flaps of skin on the lower surface of the lower jaw give the fish a distinctly bearded appearance. Just above it's eyes and further back on it's head are numerous flaps of skin that aid in enhancing camouflage. The fish's cavernous mouth is opened slightly, and a row of blunt, peg-shaped teeth are visible inside. Close-up photograph of a gulf toadfish. This one's mouth is closed, with the many skin flaps on the head in full view. The eyes retain the same color and pattern as the body, and the pupils have a slight brownish red hue. A large pectoral fin is visible just behind the head, and a tall dorsal fin continues down the length of the body. Curled behind the fish's head and poking out from just above it is the caudal fin, which is paddle-shaped.
December 9, 2024 at 1:54 AM
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For day eight of #crustmas, an arrow shrimp!

Arrow shrimp, as evidenced by their appearance, never stray far from the seagrass beds in which they reside. When a predator approaches, they quickly scurry around to the opposite side of a seagrass blade, hiding their thin form from view.
Close-up photograph of the whimsical-appearing arrow shrimp, perched on a blade of seagrass that is growing branching algae. The shrimp is extremely slender and bright, uniformly lime green. It's rostrum is extremely long and tapers to a sharp point- the lower surface of the rostrum is serrated. The shrimp's eyes are white. Just behind the middle of the body, the shrimp has a distinct hump. A photograph of a pair of arrow shrimp in my hand. The shrimp are shot from above, and their bodies are extremely thin and elongate. Their white-eyes, mounted on stalks, protrude from each side of their heads. In my hand, they are positioned parallel to one another, with each one facing opposite directions.
December 9, 2024 at 1:54 AM
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Merry day seven of #fishmas! This is a naked goby, the same species and individual in my profile picture.

Naked gobies are so named because their bodies lack scales, instead covered in a thin layer of slime. These gobies are euryhaline, equally comfortable in both marine and freshwater conditions.
A close-up photo of a naked goby, turned towards the camera. She is perched on her pectoral fins, sitting in a pale rock. Her body is smooth, scaleless, and cigar-shaped, colored dark greyish-brown with thin pale stripes. Her head is lighter than the rest of her body, taking on a subtly yellowish mottled hue. Her eyes are positioned on the top of her head and bulge outwards, somewhat like a frog. Her mouth is held slightly open. The same naked goby, now facing directly towards the camera. She is a slightly lighter color, and is sitting amongst red branches of algae and green filamentous algae. Her dorsal fins are held upright.
December 7, 2024 at 7:29 PM
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#crustmas! Day seven! This is a bigclaw snapping shrimp.

Snapping shrimp (or pistol shrimp) have a muscular dominant claw that closes fast enough to momentarily vaporize the water just in front of the claw. The cavitation bubble created serves as a weapon, stunning prey and creating a loud snap.
A close-up photo of a bigclaw snapping shrimp in a small photo tank, in lateral view. The shrimp is a forest green color, and it's shell is smooth and glossy. The shrimp is slightly darker dorsally, and it's shell is stippled with tiny darker green spots. The massive snapping claw obscures the other, more meagre claw behind it's bulk. A close-up photo of a bigclaw snapping shrimp, this time in dorsal view. This shrimp is a lime green color and slightly translucent. It's organs are visible just behind it's eyes, which are covered in a transparent layer of shell akin to a welder's mask, shielding them from the blasts created by the dominant claw. The dominant claw is visible in this photo, and has two light blue pits on it's surface. On the left side is the non-dominant claw, resembling a pair of fine forceps. The beautiful tail flaps (uropods) of the bigclaw snapping shrimp, with some segments of the abdomen in view. The uropods are tipped with light blue with a black spot in the center.
December 7, 2024 at 7:23 PM
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For day five of #fishmas, I present to you a skilletfish.

Skilletfish are a species of clingfish and have pelvic fins modified into a powerful, bizarre-looking suction disc. They aren't particularly easy to catch due to their choice habitat taking the form of dense, sharp-shelled oyster reefs.
Close-up photo of a skilletfish held in a small volume of water inside my cupped hand. It's a dorsal view of the animal. It somewhat resembles a tadpole, with it's dark color, it's flat, wide head and tapering tail. Faint mottling is visible on it's smooth, scaleless skin. Close-up photograph of the underside of the skilletfish. The fish is curved into a C shape, with it's large suction disc in full view. It's a bizarre structure, only bearing a passing resemblance to a suction cup. The frontal portion is rimmed with only several fin rays, and consists mostly of a textured bumpy gripping surface. The hind portion is much the same, but with a soft, transparent fin 'fringe'.
December 6, 2024 at 4:47 PM
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Happy day six of #crustmas! This is a sand dollar pea crab nestled within the spines of... a sand dollar! (shocker)

These crabs use sand dollars as living homes, clambering between their spines and stealing detritus that the sand dollar collects during it's travels. They are, of course, very small.
Super up-close photo of a round crab nestled within the tiny spines on a sand dollar. The crab is nigh-microscopic, and it's body is translucent. The body is uniformly white, with tiny, round white eyes and a smooth shell. The claws are small and rather stubby and the legs, intertwining with the sand dollar's spines, are flat and transparent. Zoomed out photo of the same crab. More of the surface of the sand dollar is visible, showing the texture of it's surface. Resembling a field of spines, each one's base is dark brown and the rest of the spines are pale white. This is one of the holes or 'slots' in the sand dollar, and each spine becomes longer near the slot. The pea crab takes up little space in the frame, and is still in the same position, taking shelter within the spines.
December 6, 2024 at 4:40 PM
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Day five of #fishmas, too! This is the thrilling visage of a sand diver.

Sand divers are ambush predators. They capture other fish using swift lunges and strikes, and swallow them whole in typical lizardfish fashion. The excessive amounts of teeth ensure that their meals don't get away.
Close-up photograph of the head and trunk of a sand diver, a species of lizardfish. It's midsection is gripped with a bare hand gently as the head of the fish is supported with a blue glove. The fish is mottled brown and reddish tones dorsally, with a black spot just behind the operculum. The eyes are piercing, with black pupils under an iridescent sheen, rimmed with a bright yellow iris. The lips and lower portions of the head grade to a faint yellowish-white, and the inside of the mouth is orange with many small dagger-like teeth. Another close-up photograph of a sand diver's head. The fish is in profile view, with it's mouth opened and teeth bared. It's eye glares downwards, iridescent greenish in hue.
December 5, 2024 at 10:16 PM