Craziest critters

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The Lembeh Straight has poor visibility and not much coral. So why dive there? Because they have the weirdest assemblage of odd creatures that don't seem to even belong in the sea. The fish often don't swim but walk on feet or fling themselves about on the sea floor like a dog flipping about trying to bite fleas on its hind quarters. Many of the creatures look exactly like the coral or sea weed that they rest on and if the dive master didn't point out the bit that was actually a fish you would never notice it. I haven't even posted some of the pics because I was there and yet have a hard time determining in the pic which is the weed and which the critter.

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Photos

spikey puffer fish
One of my favorites fishies 'cuz it's cute as a bug's ear!

Cardinal fish
You have to keep young boys away from these fish. ;-)

Stripped boxer shrimp
They call them boxer shrimp shrimp because they move about looking like they are ready to throw a punch.

cockatoo fish
I can't imagine that this fish really has a game plan. He just flails about on the sandy floor hoping to get... I dunno, somewhere.

Crab on blue anenome
There are oodles of brightly colored anenomes and many different shapes. No touchy though unless you want to feel a nice sting.

cuttle fish
These guys are so fun to watch. They change colors and textures within seconds. Pretty eyes too, huh?

flying gunnard
Looks like it should be in the air, huh?

hairy frog fish
I think he needs a good trimming. ;-) Speaking of which, I can't convince Toby to get his hair cut. Can't blame him after he saw what happened to me when I got mine cut. They cut twice as much as requested and it's crooked. So I'm a crooked haired Snaggletooth. :)

White frog fish
We watched this fish stumble on little stumpy arms across the sea bed looking like Vern Troyer after a few drinks.

yellow frog fish
It looks like he has indigestion. No?

juvenile sweetlips
This pretty fish is hard to get a picture of because it flaps it's body from side to side like an excited puppy. Seems like a bad idea, "look at me, come eat me!"

black with red nudie
Tastes like strawberries dipped in chocolate.

light peach nudie
Of course, must taste like peach ice cream.

Brown and beige nudie with purple edges
Tastes like toast with grape jelly.

cow nudie
I think this dude looks like a cow so it must taste like beef.

frilly pink nudie
Raspberries and cream.

spotted ray with stripped tail
Looks a bit like the USS Enterprise, don'cha think?

Robust pipe fish
Amazing colors, eh?

funky fish
We couldn't find this fish in any of the handbooks and our dive master didn't know what it was so we dubbed it the funky fish.

Eel with yellow coloring
Haven't seen one this color before.

Comments

[Uncle John]

Spectacular!
What great pictures you're taking! I had no idea sea slugs came in so many colors and varieties. And, your new camera is worth the money! John

[George]

Amazing!
You never cease to amaze! Very cool! Remeber,what the Sharks in "Finding Nemo" said, "fish are friends, not food" Strwaberries dipped in chocolate,yum! Kristen would love them. In steamy Singapore at the moment. Unyielding humidity. Are you guys used to it yet?

[jeanette]

Happy thanksgiving
Hey guys! We missed you tonight. Hope you are having a good time. Toby your mom is sitting next to me right now. We were wondering what you ate for thanksgiving. Hopefully it wasn't one of those critters pictured on your blog. (ha,ha) Well, your mom, Bruce, His girls, Kermit and Our kids all want you to know we are looking forward to have you back in CA. Love, From all of the California Wullschlegers :)

[anonymous]

The eel is a snowflake eel, usually find em at petstores and petco fun little guys to have in your tank, they are non aggressive towards small fish and inverts as long as u keep them fed :) beautiful fishies though

[natanoja]

love it
very nice blog! now i really want to go there and eat toast with grape jelly and raspberry ice cream.