White Spotted Rose Anemone

Algarve Sea Anemone

Sea Urchin

Sea urchins, as members of the phylum Echinodermata, are relatives of sea stars and sea cucumbers.  They have hundreds of tiny tubelike feet which function in movement, respiration and feeding.

Spines

Sea urchins are characterised by their numerous visible spines which make them look very intimidating.  They can cause painful wounds but are generally not dangerous.  The spines protect the urchins from predators.  The spines are typically 1 to 3 cm in length.

Mouth/Anus

The mouth of regular urchins lie in the centre of the oral surface.  It is surrounded by soft tissue lips with small bony pieces embedded in it.  In a National Geographic study the teeth of urchins were shown to be able to chew through stone without becoming blunt.

As food

The gonads of sea urchins, both male and female, can be found in culinary delicacies in various countries around the world.  I have dived with Spanish divers who enjoy eating them raw.  In Italy sea urchin (ricci) roe is used in pasta sauces.

Starfish in the Algarve

Mediterranean Slipper Lobster

Barracuda - Sphyraena sphyraena

 

The Barracuda is a long ray-finned fish with prominent sharp fang-like teeth giving it quite a scary looking appearance.  Some species can reach up to 1.8m in length. 

Name: Barracuda

Order: Perciformes

Family: Sphyraenidae

Scorpion Fish

Cuttlefish

I love watching cuttlefish,

You can find them hiding under the sand, however it can be difficult to see them.

Their change of skin colour is incredible, very much like an LCD screen.

Going..

Going..

Gone!

Butterfly

Hermit Crab

Bearded Fireworm - Hermodice carunculata

These photos were taken when diving in Paphos, Cyprus, where Bearded Fireworms are extremely common.

Name: Bearded Fireworm  (Hermodice carunculata)

Order: Ariculata

Family: Amphinomidae

Behaviour

When disturbed, the fireworms puff out their poisonous hairs to protect themselves.  The hairs are actually brittle, hollow spines that can pierce skin and become lodged there.  This produces a burning sensation and irritation.

Distribution

Bearded fireworms are found in the Mediterranean Sea, Caribbean and Atlantic.

Peacock Worm - Sabella pavonina

 At first sight these little animals look like plants, but they are in fact worms.

The worm lives inside the tube formed from mud, sand particles and mucus.  Protruding tentacles extend outwards and filter feed on passing particles.  When disturbed the tentacles quickly retract into the tube.

Nudibranch and Yellow Cluster Anemones (Parazoanthus axinellae)

Nudibranchs diving in Getaria

 

Nudibranch on my finger

Adult nudibranchs vary in size from 20 to 600 millimeters. The miniscule size of this nudibranch can be seen in comparison to my gloved finger.

Nudibranch - Janolus cristatus

Feeds on hydroids, small predators related to jellyfish.

The sting is then stored in the tips of the serrata on its back.

Nudibranchs

 

Dotted Sea Slug - Peltodoris atromaculata

The Dotted Sea Slug (Peltodoris atromaculata) is also known as the little Swiss Cow in Spanish (Vaquita suiza).  It is a large Mediterranean sea slug that can grow up to 120 millimeters long.  It is quite common in Mediterranean shallows where it reproduces among the lower shore in spring and summer.  

It is easy to identify with its white body and dark brown spots.  It has two head tentacles and branching gills in a ring on its back.  Feeding on sponge, it accumulates natural chemical products and stores then in its digestive gland.