We asked our contributors to share their favorite images of the ornate and ornamental in the underwater realm, and they returned with a fine selection of macro and wide-angle shots featuring a diverse range of marine species from fancy fish, cephalopods, crustaceans, echinoderms, crinoids, corals and anemones to dappled whales and sharks to delicate nudibranchs and sea slugs.
Contributed by
Here, X-Ray Mag contributors share their chosen images from the tropical waters of Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Indonesia and the Cayman Islands to the subtropical and temperate waters of the US East Coast, Canada and South Africa.
Ornate and Ornamental Design in Ocean Species
Text and photos by Kate Jonker
Many underwater species display ornate and ornamental traits, whether to blend in with their surroundings, attract a mate, provide food or warn off predators.
The ornate ghost pipefish, Solenostomus paradoxus, is a great example, with delicate, lace-like fins and either pastel or vibrant colours that mimic the soft corals and crinoids in which it lives, serving both as camouflage and a display of natural beauty.
The basket star, Astrocladus euryale, found on our reefs here in False Bay, South Africa, has an intricate, branched arm structure that is both functional and visually striking, resembling an ornate living work of art as it extends its arms to filter food from the water.
The Cape long-legged spider crab, Macropodia rostrata, takes ornamentation to another level by actively decorating itself with pieces of sponge, hydroids and algae. This clever self-adornment offers protection from predators and also acts as an emergency food source!
Lastly, the Godiva nudibranch, Godiva quadricolor, flaunts an array of vivid colours and elaborate cerata that make it look like a moving work of art, whilst its vibrant colours warn predators that it is not good to eat.
These species illustrate how nature combines beauty and purpose, with ornate forms serving as both survival tools and displays of nature’s artistry. Visit: katejonker.com
Gorgeous Critters
Text and photos by John A. Ares
Fire urchins are gorgeous. They are also great at hosting other creatures. The zebra crab on the urchin (Photo 1) is not affected by the urchin’s venom. The crab feeds on the host’s tube feet and epidermal tissue covering. It does not hurt the urchin.
Boxer crabs are tiny and fascinating. The entire crab in Photo 2 was no bigger than 25mm or a US quarter. They use small anemones for defense.
Ornate ghost pipefish are just that: ornate. The male is extremely small compared to the female (Photo 3). Due to their “spiky” appearance, they are difficult to find, even though they are not rare.
Finding the marble shrimp in Photo 4 was a happy accident. On a mandarinfish dive near sunset in Dumaguete, another diver was hogging the mandarinfish hot spot. So, I looked for another spot and came across this wonderful, multicolored shrimp. Visit: JohnAres.com
Jewels on the Seafloor
Text and photos by Sheryl Checkman
“Muck diving” does not sound visually appealing to those who have never experienced it. Instead of beautiful reefs and corals, it is often a collection of rubble or silty sand where small creatures, ornate and ornamental, hide in plain sight. It is a macro photographer’s dream. The following species stand out from their simple surroundings, like pieces of jewelry on a little black dress. At first glance, the muck on the bottom can look pretty boring, but on closer look, the razzle-dazzle shines through.
When I first encountered the tiny blue-ringed octopus while diving at the Punta dive site in Dauin in the Philippines, it was barely discernable from the rocky crevice where it was resting. However, it turned from dull brown to bright yellow, showing off its ornamental electric blue and black rings, and became a venomous gem right before my eyes (Photo 1). Its appearance changed, a signal that it was not happy being the center of attention.
On another evening dive at Atlantis House Reef, I saw what appeared to be a rather large orange nudibranch or sea slug, approximately 12in (30cm) long, lying in a rock crevice. As I watched, however, it transformed into an exotic flamenco dancer floating through the water column as it swam away (Photo 2).
A flamboyant cuttlefish at San Miguel South stood out starkly against the brown sandy bottom (Photo 3). Its pink, yellow and brown mantle, with broad, blade-like arms and rows of suckers, made the cuttlefish an ornate, colorful jewel on the seafloor.
On a night dive at Sahara, two beautiful orange and white ghost pipefish with their heads down, were camouflaged by mimicking orange crinoids until I took a closer look. I could see their intricate coloration and spiky appendages (Photo 2). Visit: Instagram.com/SherylCheckman
Intricate and Elaborate
Text and photos by Lureen Ferretti
I must admit that when I first started diving, my first thoughts were of floating weightlessly, looking at corals, lots of fish, sea turtles and occasionally a shark in the distance. I never thought of the underwater world as ornate or ornamental. But when I slowed down and took a closer look, I was in for an amazing surprise! My perspective changed dramatically as I began to see and appreciate the delicate nature of the most beautiful, intricate and elaborate life I have ever seen. Allow me to share a few treasures with you.
First up, meet the decorator crab. This little marvel is a master of disguise, adorning itself with shiny bling borrowed from its surroundings. Cleverly hiding among the soft coral polyps, the decorator crab uses these borrowed decorations not only for camouflage but also for protection. By attaching hydroids to its shell, it ensures that any would-be predator is in for a painful surprise.
While decorator crabs masterfully blend into their surroundings, the juvenile puffer filefish stands out like a vibrant flower. Picture a brilliant yellow center surrounded by delicate pink petals—this little fish is a striking splash of color amidst the soft corals.
Next, let’s dive into the world of the anemonefish, also known as the clownfish. Despite encountering them for decades, I cannot resist photographing these charming creatures. Take the Clark’s anemonefish, for instance. It shares a symbiotic relationship with the zebra long tentacle anemone. What fascinates me most is the endless variety of anemonefishes and their anemone homes. With 30 species, these fish display a dazzling array of colors and patterns—from bright yellow and orange to deep red and black, often adorned with white bars or patches. They range in size from a petite 7cm (2.75 in) to a robust 17cm (6.5 in). The combinations are truly endless!
Slugs might not be the most appealing creatures on land, but underwater, they transform into stunning beauties. Take the Cyerce elegans sacoglossan sea slug, for example. Its delicate, translucent body and intricate patterns make it a mesmerizing sight, proving that the underwater world holds surprises at every turn.
Finally, let’s marvel at the diamond squid. These fascinating creatures are not only entertaining but also a joy to photograph. This particular squid appeared to be in free fall, and I could not resist joining it in its graceful descent to capture the perfect shot. Our oceans are full of the most ornate and ornamental critters I have had the pleasure to experience. Visit: instagram.com/lureenferrettiphotography
Ocean Elegance
Text and photos by Anita George-Ares, PhD
It is not often that one is treated to the sight of a juvenile emperor angelfish (Photo 1, juvenile on the right). The stunning blue and white pattern of concentric rings occurs only in juvenile emperor angelfish. The beautiful coloration of adult emperor angelfish differs radically from that of the juveniles. Capturing a juvenile oriental sweetlips in the same image was a bonus. The coloration of juvenile sweetlips also differs significantly from their adult counterparts.
I found a tiny squat lobster perched on the venomous spines of a variable fire urchin (Photo 2). The squat lobster has an Art Deco-style home. Art Deco has repetitive elements and is simple, geometric and symmetrical.
The emperor shrimp in Photo 3 has a multicolored sea cucumber for its home. The numerous white spots, orange exoskeleton, purple markings and golden eye give the shrimp an elegant appearance. The coloration of the shrimp complements that of the sea cucumber.
Two soft coral crabs have a flowery coral home in Photo 4. The second crab in the lower right is partially hidden by the soft coral polyps. The crabs adorn themselves with soft coral polyps to aid in camouflage. The red coral polyps add to the festive appearance of the crabs. Visit: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100016947967639
Reference:
Britannica T. Editors of Encyclopaedia. 2019, July 17. What are the main characteristics of the Art Deco style? Encyclopedia Britannica. >>>
Ornate Patterns & Adornments
Text and photos by Brandi Mueller
On a recent trip to Dumaguete in the Philippines, I came across many ornate and ornamental subjects. The critters found on muck dives never disappoint in the colors and patterns of their bodies or their beautiful homes. A red and white crinoid looks like an elaborate and delicate feather. A mostly clear anemone shrimp is only visible because of its purple eyes and purple dots, and it lives in a lavish anemone. The Pikachu nudibranch (Thecacera sp.) is white with black and orange markings that look like adornments.
Shrimpfish fascinate me. Also known as razorfish, they look like silver blades with mouths and eyes usually pointing toward the seafloor. They are often found in schools that move in unison, seeming to disappear when they turn their slender bodies sideways and reappearing in a flash when they turn broadside. As I watched one large school, it seemed to alternate fish by fish so that one was vertical and the next diagonal. It looked like an elaborately stitched, ornate tapestry. Visit: brandiunderwater.com
Crowns and Rostrums
Text and photos by Gary Rose, MD
When I go diving, I almost always have an objective. Sometimes, I dive to catch a few live lobsters or spear a fish for dinner. On other days, I dive to penetrate one of the hundreds of shipwrecks off the Florida coast. My greatest diving pleasure comes when I bring my camera in search of large oceanic wildlife. It is a great challenge to be able to catch the mood of these majestic oceanic creatures, as well as translate my feelings and what I was thinking when I “captured the moment.” I also greatly enjoy slowing down, really slowing down, to photograph small oceanic creatures with my macro lens. Over the decades of my diving experience, I have noticed that a great number of the denizens of “the deep,” large and small, like to show off and stand out with all sorts of ornaments—genetic or “earned.”
In Photo 1, this beautiful seaweed blenny was poking its head out of a small hole in the coral. By concentrating my camera’s focus on the eyes, head filaments, and the bokeh effect (out-of-focus) of the remainder of the photo, the viewer cannot help but appreciate the beauty and elegance of this tiny, 2-inch (5cm) sea dweller.
Similarly, in Photo 2, by focusing on the eye and snout of the seahorse and deliberately blurring the rest of the image (with a bokeh effect), the beautiful coronet (crown) is more clearly displayed. I greatly appreciate the beauty and detail of the branching coronal filaments that extend along the entire dorsum (top) of the body. Viewers drawn to detail cannot help but love the highlighted luminous and sparkling markings on the snout around the eye and on the tail.
I particularly enjoy photographing large ocean animals. One of my favorites to photographically capture is the great white shark. I was completely fascinated by the beautiful 15ft (4.5m) female in Photo 3 as she approached me directly head-on. What particularly grabbed my attention was the elaborate network of battle scars on the frontal tip (rostrum) and the top of her snout, where the sunlight danced and twirled, creating the appearance of a golden jeweled crown.
The other large ocean animals that I love to photograph are whales. Photo 4 involved a particularly close encounter with a large female gray whale. I was completely mesmerized by her eye as she studied me. The play of light on her rostrum (head region) highlighted her barnacle scars. The beautifully patterned light appeared to disappear into and be absorbed by the irregular line of her mouth that visibly extends forward from her eye (downward in this photo). I have often wondered what she was thinking as she gazed upon me.
Whether tiny, small, large or gargantuan, oceanic creatures display many varieties of ornamental beauty. It requires observational skills and great patience to photographically “capture the moment” and optimally display such natural wonders in all their magnificence. Visit: garyrosephotos.com
Exposure: ISO 250, f/18, 1/50s.
Ornamental Outfits
Text and photos by Michael Rothschild, MD
Undersea life is often painted up in fancy colors. By comparison—with the exception of a few flamingos and peacocks—topside life seems drab and muted. But “ornamental” implies design without functional benefit, and evolution does not do that. When a creature is ornate, it is not for art’s sake; those details make it more likely that there will be more of it in the future. Here are some critters from the waters off New Jersey that Charles Darwin decided would look better in stylish outfits.
Photo 1 shows a feather blenny sporting a bright blue spot, much to the envy of his girlfriend (females do not have this). The crab in Photo 2, like many residents of Jersey Shore towns, has indulged in a little glow-up, adorning his carapace with stuff found on the bottom. Decorator crabs do this for camouflage, and this guy needs more mussels. Photo 3 shows the eye of a skate. Apparently, these frills in the pupil are also for camouflage, hiding the more visible eyes from prey and predators. And Photo 4 shows a gorgeous hydroid. Although it looks like a plant, it is actually a sessile invertebrate, the favorite food of similarly flamboyant nudibranchs. Visit: dive.rothschilddesign.com
Stars, Anemones and Corals
Text and photos by Olga Torrey
The marine species in my photos for this theme all have one thing in common: flowery decoration of delicate and luxurious beauty. I photographed these marine organisms while diving in British Columbia and Papua New Guinea. While the former has cold waters and the latter has warm waters, the colors and ornamentation of the marine life in each location are rich and splendid.
The basket star Gorgonocephalus eucnemis has five flexible, highly forked and branched arms that radiate from a hockey puck-like central disk and are used for crawling or clinging. This extraordinary invertebrate has a meter-long mass of twisting and turning arms. Each branch has tiny sharp hooks and spines that extend outward, allowing the creature to capture prey. After sunset, they face the current and unfurl their many arms, forming a “net” to catch plankton, such as copepods and zooplankton.
The fish-eating anemone Urticina piscivora attaches itself to rocky prominences in places with a substantial current flowing past. Its dancing tentacles are strong enough to catch shrimp and small fish. When prey comes in contact with its tentacles, the anemone fires a nematocyst, a harpoon-like filament that contains a paralyzing neurotoxin. The anemone uses its tentacles to guide the prey into its mouth.
Sea anemones of the genus Tealia are soft-bodied, primarily sedentary marine animals that resemble vibrant flowers with their red and tan colors and thick tentacles. Tealia sp. sea anemones are beautiful and fierce predators that eat large prey like mussels, snails and sea urchins. They come in various colors, from bright white to green, blue, orange or red.
Dendronephthya sp., a species of marine coral, is truly impressive in its adaptability. Lacking a rigid calcium carbonate skeleton, these organisms have an internal skeleton secreted by mesoglea and polyps with eight tentacles and feather-like shapes with numerous side branches. They feed almost exclusively on phytoplankton. Eight feathery tentacles surround the coral’s mouth and whip food into it. The soft coral uses seawater to expand its body before feeding, creating a positive pressure inside the coral that supports the branches. Visit: fitimage.nyc
Source: Wikipedia.org
