Two Portraits

Just a really quick post featuring two characters I encountered last week. Above a Topknot (Zeugopterus punctatus), a little (<10 cm) flatfish. Below a Seahare (Aplysia punctata), an ophistobranch mollusc which is enjoying a bit of a population boom at the moment. Been in a bit more lately with so-so results but hope to post more soon.

more diving

diving silver stepsLast Wednesday I went for a quick dive at Silver Steps in Falmouth, good viz and the water is no longer cold. Buddy Chris (above) and I rummaged around the U-boat wreckage (less impressive than it sounds) and unfortunately did not see any cuttlefish. What was new was a largish Topknot Zeugopterus punctatus which was gone before I could take a decent photo. I also saw seacucumbers for the first time diving (have seen them before when rock pooling, including parasitic snails). They could be Pawsonia or Aslia, but with the bodies wedged in the rocks and only the feeding tentacles visible it is not possible to tell. Sand eels were abundant and Sand smelt Atherina presbyter were also present at the surface. I hope to go back soon to practice with the strobe. I did a second dive in Flushing with Thomas too. Enjoyable but not too many great shots. I included one of Sand mason worms Lanice conchilega and fan worms Megalomma vesiculosum.

Topknot

 

Yesterday during a quick lunch time ramble on Castle Beach I found my first Topknot Zeugopterus punctatus. Unlike most flatfishes, this species inhabits rocky areas. Had I brought a bucket, I would have definitely taken it home for the aquarium, a very pretty fish!IMG_3071 IMG_3084IMG_3088