A juvenile starry pufferfish (Arothron stellatus) displays vibrant aposematic colouration, warning predators of its toxicity.
A school of bigeye snappers (Lutjanus lutjanus) create a unique formation at Chumphon Pinnacle, Koh Tao with the help of a delicate sensory system.
A malabar grouper (Epinephelus malabaricus) perches at the reef edge following a busy night launching stealthy ambush attacks on unsuspecting prey. Traps are commonly used around the world to catch large groupers resting near the reef edge – often a much easier target that other high value fish swimming mid-water.
Two juvenile longfin batfish (Platax teira) peform a drifting swimming behaviour close to the surface, where their behaviour and morphological features which closely mimic floating debris keeps them out of danger from predators lurking beneath.
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A comb jelly lures in prey with a dazzling light show of vibrant colours pulsing rhythmically down its entire body.
A prawn goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) peers out of its hole, acting as a sentinel for its mutualistic partner, an Alpheid shimp
A Box jellyfish (Tamoya spp..) migrates from the deep ocean to feed on zooplankton living at shallower depths.
Hermit crabs are decapod crustaceans found all over the world in a diverse range of marine ecosystems. In coral reef ecosystems, these crabs are often found on sandy sea beds or rocky surfaces, and are occasionally found living on coral branches. They are omnivores with a diet mainly consisting of detritus.
A pickhandle barracuda (Sphyraena jello) swims in the open ocean where it can single out its prey and engage in a high-speed chase.
A Blue Spotted Ribbontail Ray (Taeniura lymma) resting under a reef overhang, waiting for the sun to set before beginning a hunt. During high tide, these rays are often seen to migrate inshore to sand flats where they feed on invertebrates and bottom dwelling fish that inhabit these shallower sandy areas.
A Lagoon Damselfish (Hemiglyphidodon plagiometopon) living amongst an arborescent branching coral.
Sea anemones (Heteractis magnifica) competing for habitable space on the reef.
A variety of hard corals providing important habitats for several reef fish and invertebrates, creating a biodiversity like nowhere else on the planet.
