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Marine Life | Palau

128 images Created 29 Feb 2012

Images of marine life from Palau

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  • Chevron barracuda (Sphyraena putnamae) in Palau, with one fish leading the others.
    chevron-barracuda-blue-corner-palau-...tif
  • White-jawed Cardinalfish (Pseudamia amblyuroptera) encountered at 15m to 25m depth during a blackwater dive just off the reef at Short Dropoff in Palau. This fish was about 10cm in length, suggesting that it is an adult or near adult. The fish was hanging vertically in the water. It showed no concern with divers being present, making no effort to swim away. It also never adopted a horizontal position.
    pseudamia-amblyuroptera-white-jawed-...tif
  • Spawning polychaete worms. The ones pictured here are often called fireworms due to the pain that ensues if you touch the bristles, which contain a neurotoxin. Photographed during a blackwater dive a couple of days prior to the new moon.
    polychaete-worm-spawning-fireworm-br...tif
  • Juvenile oriental flying gurnard (Dactylopterus orientalis), measuring between two and three centimeters. Photographed during a blackwater dive at Short Dropoff in Palau.
    juvenile-flying-gurnard-dactylopteru...tif
  • Profile of a golden damselfish (Amblyglyphidodon aureus), photographed in Palau
    golden-damselfish-amblyglyphidodon a...tif
  • Bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) gathering at dawn in preparation for a spawning aggregation. The heads of some individuals have turned white, indicating that they are ready for spawning activity. The majority of fish, however, are not quite ready. Hundreds, sometimes thousands, of fish gather and mill around until there is consensus reached. Then all the fish rush out to deeper water for group spawning.
    bumphead-parrotfish-gathering-before...tif
  • Shadowfin soldierfish (Myripristis adusta) on a coral reef in Palau
    shadowfin-soldierfish-myripristis-ad...tif
  • Single sailfin snapper, or blue-lined sea bream (Symphorichthys spilurus), swimming in the opposite direction from the rest of the school. These fish were gathered by the tens of thousands for a spawning aggregation.
    sailfin-snappers-symphorichthys-spil...tif
  • Profile of a blue-lined sea bream (Symphorichthys spilurus), photographed in Palau.
    blue-lined-sea-bream-symphorichthys-...tif
  • A portion of tens of thousands of blue-lined sea bream (Symphorichthys spilurus) gathered for the purpose of mass spawning at Peleliu island in Palau. These fish are normally rare in shallow water. They appear two or three times a year in large numbers for reproduction.
    blue-lined-sea-bream-aggregation-for...tif
  • A group of Lutjanus bohar twinspot snappers breaking away from the spawning aggregation to release a stream of sperm and eggs into the water. The lead fish is likely the female, with males following.
    lutjanus-bohar-snappers-spawning-pal...tif
  • Group of twinspot snappers (Lutjanus bohar) gathered as part of an early-morning spawning aggregation involving thousands of fish. Note the range of coloration displayed by individual fish, which most often appear red when seen by scuba divers.
    lutjanus-bohar-spawning-aggregation-...tif
  • This is a colorful pygmy squid (Idiosepius sp.), less than 1cm in length, hunting for food in relatively shallow water at night. Photographed during a blackwater dive in Palau.
    pygmy-squid-idiosepius-sp-palau-blac...tif
  • Top-down view of a mature male Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) cruising over healthy coral reef
    male-napoleon-wrasse-cheilinus-undul...tif
  • Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) spawning in Palau. The smaller female is in front, the male behind. Mature males spawn repeatedly with multiple females. This is photograph 5 of in a sequence of 5 images, with the entire sequence taking less than one second.
    napoleon-wrasse-spawning-cheilinus-u...tif
  • Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) spawning in Palau. The smaller female is in front, the male behind. Mature males spawn repeatedly with multiple females. This is photograph 2 of in a sequence of 5 images, with the entire sequence taking less than one second.
    napoleon-wrasse-spawning-cheilinus-u...tif
  • Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) spawning in Palau. The smaller female is in front, the male behind. Mature males spawn repeatedly with multiple females. This is photograph 3 of in a sequence of 5 images, with the entire sequence taking less than one second.
    napoleon-wrasse-spawning-cheilinus-u...tif
  • Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) spawning in Palau. The smaller female is in front, the male behind. Mature males spawn repeatedly with multiple females. This is photograph 1 of in a sequence of 5 images, with the entire sequence taking less than one second.
    napoleon-wrasse-spawning-cheilinus-u...tif
  • Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) spawning in Palau. The smaller female is in front, the male behind. Mature males spawn repeatedly with multiple females. This is photograph 4 of in a sequence of 5 images, with the entire sequence taking less than one second.
    napoleon-wrasse-spawning-cheilinus-u...tif
  • This jellyfish lives in the world-famous Jellyfish Lake in Palau’s Rock Islands. Descended from Mastigias papua jellyfish that live in the open ocean, this individual and others in the lake have lost most of their stinging capability. Within the confines of a small landlocked lake, there is minimal prey. Instead of hunting for food, these jellyfish host colonies of symbiotic algae, which produce food through photosynthesis. The jellyfish obtains sustenance from the algae. There are actually a number of lakes hosting such populations of stingless jellyfish in Palau, but only one is open to the general public.
    jellyfish-lake-palau-mastigias-papua...tif
  • Rear view of a mature male Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus)
    male-napoleon-wrasse-rear-view-cheil...tif
  • Mature male Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) in Palau
    male-napoleon-wrasse-cheilinus-undul...tif
  • Bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) engaged in a massive spawning aggregation, with one group of fish pictured here rising above the mass to spawn. There is one female at the center of the mass, with others being male fish. This takes place early in the morning.
    bumphead-parrotfish-spawning-aggrega...tif
  • Juvenile crescent-tail bigeye (Priacanthus hamrur) measuring approximately five centimeters. Photographed at night over deep water (greater than 1000m depth) in Palau.
    juvenile-crescent-tail-bigeye-priaca...tif
  • Juvenile lizardfish (Synodontidae), about 2cm long, encountered during a blackwater night dive in Palau. The second dorsal fin is an adipose fin (with no rays in it).
    juvenile-lizardfish-synodontidae-pal...tif
  • Juvenile crustacean encountered during blackwater night dive in Palau. Likely the megalop stage of a decapod crab, which is the final stage of development prior to settling down to morph into benthic form. Possibly Carpilius juvenile. Carapace less than 1cm.
    crab-megalop-stage-blackwater-diving...tif
  • Juvenile crustacean encountered during blackwater night dive in Palau. Likely the megalop stage of a decapod crab, which is the final stage of development prior to settling down to morph into benthic form. Possibly Carpilius juvenile. Carapace less than 1cm.
    decapod-crab-megalop-stage-blackwate...tif
  • A juvenile squirrelfish (Sargocentron sp.) encountered during blackwater diving at night over deep water in Palau. About 3cm long, photographed with harsh backlighting to emphasize translucent areas of fins and head.
    sargocentron-squirrelfish-juvenile-b...tif
  • Juvenile triggerfish (Balistidae) encountered over deep water during a blackwater night dive in Palau. Approximately 4cm in length.
    triggerfish-juvenile-balistidae-pala...tif
  • A group of bumphead parrotfishes (Bolbometopon muricatum) in a spawning cluster. The female is in the middle releasing eggs, surrounded by males releasing sperm. This group was part of a much larger spawning aggregation, comprising thousands of fish. Photographed in the early morning in Palau.
    bumphead-parrotfish-spawning-palau-b...tif
  • Part of a massive gathering of bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) comprising thousands of fish engaged in a spawning aggregation. Photographed in the early morning in Palau.
    bumphead-parrotfish-spawning-aggrega...tif
  • Late larval stage juvenile leopard blenny (Exallias brevis) encountered over deep water in Palau during a blackwater dive at night. 3cm in length.
    juvenile-hawkfish-cirrhitidae-blackw...tif
  • A juvenile blotched bigeye or glasseye (Heteropriacanthus cruentatus), 3-4cm in size, photographed during a blackwater dive in Palau.
    juvenile-heteropriacanthus-cruentatu...tif
  • Cute juvenile combtooth blenny (Aspidontus sp.) swimming in mid-water at night over deep ocean. Encountered during a blackwater night dive. Between 5cm and 6cm in length.
    juvenile-combtooth-blenny-aspidontus...tif
  • Larva of a tube anemone. This free-swimming gelatinous animal was about 1cm in size, encountered while blackwater diving in Palau.
    unidentified-cnidarian-polyp-blackwa...tif
  • Tiny swimming mollusk known as a cigar pteropod (Cuvierina columnella). This swimming mollusk is found throughout temperate and tropical waters around the world. Photographed during a blackwater night dive in Palau.
    cigar-pteropod-cuvierina-columnella-...tif
  • A juvenile squirrelfish (Sargocentron sp.) encountered during blackwater diving at night over deep water in Palau. Approximately 3cm in length.
    juvenile-squirrelfish-sargocentron-b...tif
  • Larval development of sailfin snapper (Symphorichthys spilurus) at 35 hours post-fertilization. The fertilized embryo was collected during a mass spawning aggregation involving tens of thousands of fish. Photographed in Palau.
    sailfin-snapper-embryo-symphorichthy...tif
  • Larval development of sailfin snapper (Symphorichthys spilurus) at 10 hours post-fertilization. The fertilized embryo was collected during a mass spawning aggregation involving tens of thousands of fish. Photographed in Palau.
    sailfin-snapper-embryo-symphorichthy...tif
  • Dozens of giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis) schooling together at Peleliu Express dive site in Palau. This association behavior may be associated with spawning.
    giant-trevally-schooling-caranx-igno...tif
  • Massive aggregation comprising tens of thousands of sailfin snapper (Symphorichthys spilurus) in preparation for group spawning. These fish normally live in deep water. They gather several times a year for this spawning phenomenon. Photographed in Palau.
    sailfin-snapper-aggregation-for-grou...tif
  • Juvenile soldierfish (Myripristis sp.) encountered during blackwater diving at night over deep water in Palau. Approximately 2cm in length.
    juvenile-soldierfish-myripristis-bla...tif
  • Spawning aggregation of Lutjanus bohar twinspot snapper coincidentally forming a nice heart shape, a visual metaphor for love in the ocean. Photographed in Palau.
    lutjanus-bohar-spawning-aggregation-...tif
  • Twinspot snapper (Lutjanus bohar) engaged in a mass spawning aggregation early in the morning. This photograph was the winner of the Under Water category of the 52nd Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition in 2016 (#WPY52) organized by the Natural History Museum in London.
    twinspot-snapper-spawning-aggregatio...tif
  • Twinspot snapper (Lutjanus bohar) spawning aggregation early in the morning, with a group of fish releasing a stream of gametes into the water.
    twinspot-snapper-spawning-aggregatio...tif
  • Large aggregation of moorish idols (Zanclus cornutus) gathered at the tip of Siaes Corner dive site in Palau a few days prior to the full moon for the purpose of group spawning.
    moorish-idol-spawning-aggregation-pa...tif
  • Profile of a pinktail triggerfish (Melichthys vidua) photographed in Palau
    pinktail-triggerfish-melichthys-vidu...tif
  • Inquisitive Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) investigating dive guide Clayton Johannes at Blue Corner dive site in Palau. Many of the fish at Blue Corner have grown accustomed to the presence of divers in the water. This behavior was unsolicited, with the wrasse initiating contact. Napoleon wrasses are classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List. They are protected in Palauan waters.
    napoleon-wrasse-and-diver-palau-chei...tif
  • A group of bigeye trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus) swimming around a grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrynchos), with one of the fish rubbing its body against the shark's skin. Bigeye trevallies and other species of fish engage in this activity from time to time, perhaps to remove parasites or other irritations from their skin. For the most part, the sharks do not seem to mind, though they sometimes take off at high speed. Note also that one of the bigeye trevallies is dark. The change in coloration is associated with reproduction. Photographed at Blue Corner in Palau.
    bigeye-trevally-rubbing-against-grey...tif
  • The chaotic action of a bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) spawning aggregation, comprising thousands of fish releasing clouds of sperm and eggs into the water. As depicted here, groups of spawning fish, led by one or possibly more females, rise up from the primary mass of fish to release their gametes, and then rejoin the swarm below. Photographed in the early morning in the Republic of Palau.
    bumphead-parrotfish-spawning-aggrega...tif
  • Clouds of sperm and eggs released by thousands of bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) engaged in mass spawning in the early morning. Simultaneous release of gametes in such large quantities likely serves to maximize chances of survival for fertilized eggs. Group spawning also obscures visibility underwater, creating hazy, fog-like conditions. Photographed in the early morning in Palau.
    bumphead-parrotfish-spawning-aggrega...tif
  • Massive spawning aggregation of bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) in the early morning, involving thousands of individuals. During a short span of time, the fish coordinate release of large quantities of sperm and eggs into the water, creating fog-like white-out conditions.
    bumphead-parrotfish-spawning-aggrega...tif
  • Large school of bluestripe snapper (Lutjanus kasmira) swimming along the top of a shallow reef in Palau
    bluestripe-snapper-lutjanus-kasmira-...tif
  • An aggregation of Lutjanus bohar snapper engaged in mass spawning. As pictured here, large groups of fish cluster together before swimming rapidly in unison to release clouds of sperm and eggs. Thousands of fish were gathered for this spawning event. Photographed in Palau.
    Lutjanus-bohar-snapper-spawning-aggr...tif
  • Thousands of Twinspot Snapper (Lutjanus bohar) in a spawning frenzy early in the morning. Note the wide range of coloration among the individual fish. Photographed in Palau.
    lutjanus-bohar-snapper-mass-spawning...tif
  • This is what it looks like inside a massive group of spawning Lutjanus bohar snappers. The water is milky blue from the simultaneous release of eggs and sperm by hundreds of fish in this group, which were part of an enormous gathering of thousands of fish. The visibility quickly dropped to nearly zero, with fish swimming in every direction. There were bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas), grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) and blackfin sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus) charging through the groups of spawning fish. Photographed in Palau.
    lutjanus-bohar-snapper-spawning-aggr...tif
  • Thousands of spawning Lutjanus bohar snapper attract a number of predators, such as this blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) swimming through at rapid speed. Clouds of sperm and eggs and low light in the early morning result in low visibility, making ambush easy.
    carcharhinus-limbatus-blacktip-shark...tif
  • This scene is typical of the chaos and pandemonium associated with mass spawning involving thousands of Lutjanus bohar red snappers. The milky clouds are massive quantities of sperm and eggs released by the frenzied fish. Photographed in Palau, in the early morning.
    twinspot-red-snapper-spawning-aggreg...tif
  • This is a part of a spawning aggregation comprising thousands of Bohar snapper (Lutjanus bohar) gathered in deep water in the early morning. Prior to spawning, the fish take on a range of coloration, as pictured here. Of note, the fish do not all seem to take on the same color hues or patterns. Photographed in Palau.
    lutjanus-bohar-snapper-spawning-aggr...tif
  • After engaging in an enormous spawning aggregation in the early morning, thousands of Lutjanus bohar red snappers lingered on near a reef edge. A swarm of the snappers, comprising a couple dozen fish, attacked and devoured a boxfish, the remains of which are shown here, with the main school of snappers visible in the background. I was unable to identify the species of the boxfish before it was attacked, but based on the yellow pattern, I am guessing that it was a yellow boxfish, Ostracion cubicus.
    ostracion-cubicus-boxfish-devoured-b...tif
  • A swarm of the voracious Lutjanus bohar two-spot red snappers attacked and devoured a boxfish, the remains of which are shown here after they participated in an enormous spawning aggregation in the early morning involving thousands snappers. The attack on the boxfish was fast and furious, reminiscent of a shark feeding frenzy. I was unable to identify the species of the boxfish before it was consumed, but based on the yellow pattern, I am guessing that it was a yellow boxfish, Ostracion cubicus.
    lutanus-bohar-snapper-devouring-yell...tif
  • Part of an enormous gathering of two-spot red snapper (Lutjanus bohar) for the purpose of mass spawning in the early morning. Thousands of fish aggregate for this spawning aggregation. Coloration of the fish seems to vary through the spawning activity, with the fish not necessarily displaying the characteristic red hue of this species. Photographed in Palau.
    two-spot-red-snapper-lutjanus-bohar-...tif
  • Thousands of two-spot red snapper (Lutjanus bohar) gathered in the early morning for the purpose of spawning. Photographed in Palau.
    red-snapper-lutjanus-bohar-spawning-...tif
  • Thousands upon thousands of two-spot red snapper (Lutjanus bohar) spawning together in the early morning, producing a milky-white cloud of sperm and eggs. Photographed in Palau.
    lutjanus-bohar-snapper-mass-spawning...tif
  • Massive spawning aggregation comprising thousands of two-spot red snapper (Lutjanus bohar) in the early morning. Photographed in Palau.
    lutjanus-bohar-snapper-spawning-aggr...tif
  • A bunch of twinspot snapper (Lutjanus bohar) rushing up to spawn, releasing a cloud of milky white sperm and eggs in the water column. Photographed in Palau.
    twinspot-snapper-spawning-lutjanus-b...tif
  • A submerged forest of pneumatophores that supports a vibrant community of mangrove apple (Sonneratia alba) trees in Long Lake, which is a tidal exchange area that connects a saltwater lake inside Ngeruktabel Island with the ocean. The conical pneumatophores pictured here comprise an extended root system that is essential for gas exchange in an anoxic environment. Sonneratia alba communities prefer seaward fringes with high salinity and soft sandy or muddy bottoms.
    Sonneratia-alba-pneumatophore-mangro...tif
  • Long Lake, part of Ngeruktabel Island in Palau, is home to a variety of plant life, including a dense forest of mangrove trees. This is a young Bruguiera gymnorrhiza mangrove plant taking root in the shallows. When mature, these mangrove trees create an intricate network of roots that stablize and lock-in silt and mud, providing a buffer against erosion, as well as serving as shelter for juvenile fish and other marine animals.
    bruguiera-gymnorrhiza-young-mangrove...tif
  • Bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) clumping together in deep water just before rushing to the surface to spawn together. Photographed in Palau.
    spawning-aggregation-bumphead-parrot...tif
  • Group of humphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) spawning in the early morning. This group was part of a mass aggregation comprising thousands of fish. Photographed in Palau.
    humphead-parrotfish-spawning-bolbome...tif
  • Humphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) congregating before spawning in large numbers. These fish gather by the thousands, milling around until the tidal conditions are just right. In this photograph, the heads of the fish have not yet turned white, a color change which is a precursor to mass spawning. Photographed in Palau.
    humphead-parrotfish-bolbometopon-mur...tif
  • Bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) gathering in shallow water early in the morning as part of their preparation for group spawning involving thousands of fish. Photographed in Palau.
    bolbometopon-muricatum-bumphead-parr...tif
  • Female grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) with visible scarring from mating activity. During the mating season, many female sharks appear with scars like this, inflicted by amorous male sharks. Mating is a rough affair among sharks, ften with multiple males biting and holding on to female sharks. Photographed at Blue Corner dive site in Palau.
    grey-reef-shark-mating-scars-carchar...tif
  • A group of bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) preparing to spawn en masse, very early in the morning. Note the white coloration of their faces, a color shift that occurs during spawning aggregations involving thousands of these large fish.
    bumphead-parrotfish-mass-spawning-ag...tif
  • Close encounter with a large school of bigeye trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus) at the world-renowned Blue Corner dive site in Palau.
    bigeye-trevally-caranx-sexfasciatus-...tif
  • A small group of humphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) that has moved away from the main mass of thousands of fish in order to spawn. This happens repeatedly during mass spawning, with groups of fish swimming away and spawning in rapid succession, leaving the water milky-white and murky. Photographed in Palau.
    bolbometopon-muricatum-bumphead-parr...tif
  • Thousands of bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) amassing in deep water prior to spawning en masse. Note the pale heads of the fish, which signal readiness for spawning. Photographed in Palau.
    bumphead-parrotfish-mass-spawning-bo...tif
  • This is a small portion of a mass gathering of thousands of humphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) that have come together for spawning. When these fish are ready to spawn, their faces take on the pale coloration depicted here. Of interest, some of the fish that participate in this group spawning activity do not exhibit pale faces. Photographed in Palau.
    humphead-parrotfish-mass-spawning-bo...tif
  • Swarm of golden jellyfish (Mastigias cf. papua etpisoni) in Palau's Jellyfish Lake. These jellyfish have been isolated in a saltwater lake for thousands of years. They have lost most of their ability to sting, and depend upon symbiotic algae for food. Jellyfish Lake is one of five saltwater lakes in Palau with jellyfish populations similar to these.
    jellyfish-lake-palau-mastigias-cf-pa...tif
  • Jellyfish Lake in Palau is one of five saltwater lakes in the Rock Islands of Palau that are inhabited by jellyfish that have lost most of their stinging capability. It is the only one of the five lakes that is open for tourists to visit. The jellyfish depend on algae that live within their bodies for nutrition. The symbiotic algae use photosynthesis to produce nutrients. Jellyfish Lake is connected to the ocean through fissures and tunnels in the limestone.
    jellyfish-lake-palau-mastigias-cf-pa...tif
  • The steep, conical shape of this Porites sp. hard coral formation is reminiscent of the rock islands that comprise the land mass of Palau.
    porites-sp-hard-coral-formation-pala...tif
  • Bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) spawning in the early morning, with low light and low visibility, due in part to the clouds of sperm and eggs from the fish. Photographed in Palau.
    bumphead-parrotfish-early-morning-sp...tif
  • This is a female hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) foraging for food on the reef at Blue Corner in Palau. Her head is facing down while she looks for something to eat, with her rear end flipped up such that it appears that the turtle is performing a handstand. Hawksbill turtles are critically endangered.
    hawksbill-turtle-blue-corner-palau-E...tif
  • Napoleon wrasses are abundant and friendly in Palau, often approaching divers in the water in an inquisitive manner
    napoleon-wrasse-blue-corner-palau-Ch...tif
  • Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) patrolling the reef at Palau's renowned dive site Blue Corner
    napoleon-wrasse-blue-corner-palau-Ch...tif
  • Profile of a friendly Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) at the world-famous dive site Blue Corner, with a swarm of redtoothed triggerfish (Odonus niger) in the background
    napoleon-wrasse-blue-corner-palau-Ch...tif
  • Bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) gathering in shallow water just after sunrise, in preparation for group spawning involving thousands of fish. The fish pictured here are in the transitional time between coming together and the commencement of spawning. Some of the fish have pale faces, which signals their readiness to spawn, while others have yet to take on the pale hue. An outgoing current carrying a lot of suspended particles resulted in low visibility on this day. Photographed in Palau.
    bumphead-parrotfish-spawning-aggrega...tif
  • Lutjanus bohar are commonly referred to as twinspot snapper, and sometimes as red snapper. As shown here, this species is capable of taking on coloration other than red. This happens during spawning aggregations, but also when fish are alone, as is the case here. The two dorsal spots can also appear and disappear. This species is an active predator, as suggested by the prominent canine teeth.
    lutjanus-bohar-twinspot-snapper-prof...tif
  • A pair of bigeye jacks (Caranx sexfasciatus), with the male temporarily turned black in preparation for spawning. Another pair of fish also getting ready to spawn is visible in the background. These fish were among a large school of several hundred jacks swimming above the Blue Corner dive site in Palau.
    bigeye-trevally-mating-spawning-blue...tif
  • Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) with its mouth open. Photographed at Blue Corner, Palau.
    Cheilinus-undulatus-Napoleon-wrasse-...tif
  • Two jellyfish bumping heads, Jellyfish Lake, Palau. Mastigias cf. papua etpisoni
    jellyfish-lake-palau-mastigias-cf-pa...tif
  • Spawning aggregation of bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) gathering by the thousands in the early morning to release massive clouds of sperm and eggs into the water. Photographed in Palau.
    spawning-aggregation-bumphead-parrot...tif
  • Bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) spawning aggregation, early morning in deep water, with groups of fish coalescing to release sperm and eggs into the current. Photographed in Palau.
    bumphead-parrotfish-bolbometopon-mur...tif
  • Bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) coming together in deep water early in the morning as part of their preparation for group spawning involving thousands of fish. Their faces turn pale prior to commencing group spawning. Photographed in Palau.
    bumphead-parrotfish-bolbometopon-mur...tif
  • Bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) spawning aggregation, early morning in deep water, with groups of fish coalescing to release sperm and eggs into the current. Photographed in Palau.
    bumphead-parrotfish-spawning-aggrega...tif
  • Bumphead parrotfish early morning group spawning, producing opaque clouds of sperm and eggs. Photographed in Palau.
    bumphead-parrotfish-spawning-palau-b...tif
  • Bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) spawning in the early morning, with low light and low visibility. Thousands of these fish gather for this mass spawning event. Photographed in Palau.
    spawning-aggregation-bolbometopon-mu...tif
  • Bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) gathering in shallow water just after sunrise, in preparation for group spawning involving thousands of fish. These aggregations seem to occur often when there is a signficant level of suspended particles due to current and tide conditions. Coupled with low light levels, these conditions may provide the optimal chance for fertilized eggs to escape with the current and grow into fish larvae. Photographed in Palau.
    dawn-gathering-for-spawning-bumphead...tif
  • Large school of black and white snappers (Macolor niger) patrolling just off the reef at the Blue Corner dive site in Palau
    black-and-white-snapper-Macolor-nige...tif
  • School of bluelined snapper (Lutjanus kasmira) at Blue Corner dive site in Palau
    bluelined-snapper-Lutjanus-kasmira-b...tif
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