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Morays, Nudibranchs, Scorpionfish and Lionfish
Yellow-margin moray (Gymnothorax flavimarginatus) at Thudufushi Thila.
The more common Giant moray (Gymnothorax javanicus) at Shark Thila looks more aggressive than it is - it's just opening its mouth wide
to gulp water down and out through its gills.
Now for some Nudibranchs (sea slugs), all just a few cms long. First, a relatively common Varicose
Phyllidia (Phyllidia varicosa) at Shark Thila.
Next, a less common Rose Phyllidiella (Phyllidiella rosans) in Moofushi Kandu.
And another one in Himandhoo Kandu. You can clearly make out its 'horns' at the front.
And another at Himandhoo Thila. The species can have irregular breaks in the white lines running the length of its body.
And a still less common Rudman's Phyllidiella (Phyllidiella rudmani) at Thudufushi Thila.
A grapefruit-sized mass of nudibranch eggs, from a much larger, nocturnal species, beside the canyon at Himandhoo Thila.
Now for some increasingly cryptic Tassled Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis oxycephala), each about 33cm long.
This one was clinging to a vertical coral rock face at Kuda Miaru Thila.
And another in amongst some pretty blue coral at Thudufushi Thila.
Another near Fesdu wreck. Its round black eye is towards the upper right, and its tail is at the bottom left.
And a final one at Thudufushi Thila, almost impossible to see. Its round black eye is slightly above and to the left of the centre of
the photo, and its tail is at bottom right.
I think this is a juvenile Spotfin lionfish (Pterois antennata), just a few cm long, hiding in a hole in Moofushi Kandu.
I think these two are Lionfish (Pterois miles) on the thoroughly coral-encrusted Fesdu Wreck.
