Nudibranchs and flatworms

Have you ever seen a nudibranch? Have you ever seen them swim in the water column or move along the rocks? Do you know the difference between a flatworm and a nudibranch? Nudibranchs are commonly confused with flatworms, which are just as colorful and awing.
While exploring the reef during the two reef walks this month, we saw two different types of flatworms! The first flatworm looked like a piece of black algae until we placed it into the bucket. It fluttered its mantle and started swimming around. It was a beautiful and graceful sight. The second flatworm we discovered was hidden under a rock and it displayed a dazzling array of yellows and blacks. This was a first for me while exploring the tide pools.
There are so many other amazing animals to be discovered and I would love to have your help in finding them with me on a reef walk. I hope to see you out there soon!
A hui hou!

Yellow-headed Moray Eel

Another reef walk has gone by and of course there are more exciting stories to tell! This walk was a little different than the others we have participated in, in that we started much later. The low tide on the 2nd was at 8:08pm and when we started it was pitch black.
We had 15 adults and children join us in Honolulu to search for our nocturnal friends that venture out at night. This was the first time I had ever seen an eel feed in the wild! We found a Yellow-headed moray eel and while Ms. Kiesha and I were attempting to capture the moray, it saw a Rock Crab scurry on the rock next to it and lunged out of the water and ate it! It was amazing how quick and accurate the eel was!
Along with the moray eel, we found our resident juvenile octopus, several Squirrelfish, a Unicornfish, Sea Cucumbers, Ghost Shrimp, Red shrimp, and several Marbled Shrimp. Because it was so dark, we were able to see how the shrimp eyes appear iridescent when you shine a flashlight on them. Wow! I recommend that anyone who has not yet signed up for a reef walk with the Living Art Marine Center should do it soon! You never know what you will learn, find, and experience.