TENT WALL MONDAY, 6 APRIL 2015
Lettuce Sea Slug (Elysia crispata, a large & colorful species of sea slug, a marine gastropod mollusk without a hard shell.
The lettuce slug resembles a nudibranch, but it is not closely related. These beautiful slugs are usually brilliantly colored; this in itself can act as a deterrent against predators. Some sea slugs secrete acid from stinging cells in their tentacles, while others secrete acid from cells in their mantle. Web Burrfish (Chilomycterus antillarum); also known as Burrfish, Spiny Boxfish, Blowfish, Balloonfish, Globefish, Swelltoads, Hedgehog Fishes, Webbed Burrfish, Spiny Box Puffer, Bridled Burrfish, Pacific Burrfish Found singly in coral & rubble areas of coastal lagoons & bays. Spines always erect. They feed nocturnally on hard-shell invertebrates and have a plated mouth structure for crushing shells . . . or fingers, so beware . . . they can give a nasty bite!

 TENT REEF TUESDAY, 7 APRIL 2015
Sargassum around some of the Saba dive sites . . . Sargassum seaweed is a genus of brown (class Phaeophyceae) macroalgae (seaweed). It has a rough sticky texture, which together with a robust but flexible body helps it to withstand strong water currents. It has berrylike gas-filled bladders which help keep the algae afloat to promote photosynthesis. While doing the safety stop, I took the time to look around in this seaweed. There are small fish that swim with the sargassum for protection, the most common fish being the Planehead Filefish. I was told I had the chance to see baby turtles (no such luck). Speaking of turtles . . . See what a diver sees . . . can you spot the lobster just above the turtle? Whip Coral Shrimp (Pontonides uncigar); also known as Crustaceans, Carid Shrimps, Commensal Shrimps, Sea Whip Coral Shrimp, Whip Shrimp, Wire Coral Shrimp
Honeycomb Cowfish (Acanthostracion polygonia); also known as Trunkfish and Honeycomb Trunkfish Found on reefs blending in with the background; when approached will quickly retreat. Color can vary to blend in with the background. They feed on invertebrates & worms. Their bodies are covered in a toxic mucus which is released when stressed.
Spotted an UNUSUAL Caribbean Queen Conch with firecoral on its back out in the sand flat. I even managed to swim around in front and a good view of its head, though it was retreating from my flash This large marine gastropod is found on all islands of the Dutch Caribbean, but its numbers have declined significantly due to over-exploitation. The queen conch has a length of 8-12" and weighs on average 5 pounds. It has a large orange- to brown-colored shell that is spiral-shaped and has a broad lip. The shell in its natural state is typically encrusted with algae. The soft body has a head with a long snout, two tentacles and a small foot. . . . trying to get a good view of its head and eyes . . . Rock Beauty (Holacanthus tricolor); also known as Rock Beauty Angel and Rock Beauty Angelfish Butterflyfish & Angelfish are members of the bristletooth family (Chaetodontidae); they have very fine hair-like teeth that enable them to pick out small organisms inaccessible to most other fish for eating. Butterflyfishes thrive on a diet of coral polyps and the tentacles of featherdusters and Christmas tree worms. As these food sources all zap back into their shells when disturbed, butterflyfishes need to be able to hover motionless while picking at the coral and to dart swiftly over short distances to get the worm before it retracts. They do this by using their pectoral fins as oars to brake, sprint, turn and even reverse. I have stalked this species for MONTHS, attempting to get a decent photograph. I have taken more shots showing the south end of a north-bound Rock Beauty than I care to count. I finally managed to shoot a decent image. Red Hind (Epinephelus guttatus); also known as Sea Bass, Rockcods, Cods, Hinds, Trouts, Red Hind Grouper, Speckled Hind Groupers are solitary carnivores that hunt near the bottom, usually at dusk. Food is drawn into their mouths by a powerful suction when they open their overly-large mouths and then swallowed whole. Spawning is seasonal and controlled by the phases of the moon. [Editorial comment by your webauthor: Doesn't this look like a fish that would walk out of the water and start the evolutionary process?]

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