Muck diving during the day, Maui, Hawaii

Flying Gurnard!

Trembling Nudibranch

  Muck diving may not be for everyone but for a marine biology enthusiast it is the best. There are so many interesting creatures out there that most people will never see. I was shocked to see a flying gurnard on this dive. The flying gurnard is a fish that looks similar to a puffer fish with huge wings that it can fold up by its side. This fish usually walks around the sea floor on modified pectoral fins but we did see it swim fairly quickly once spooked.

Camouflage of the Devil Scorpion Fish

Tuberculous Nudibranch

Another rare find was a huge tuberculous nudibranch. This purple, pink, and white sea slug looks like it is covered with flower bouquets. And it was bigger than Heidi's hand! Other small nudibranchs showed themselves on the sand covered rocks. There must be a lot of good food for nudibranchs here.

Tuberculous Nudibranch

Imperial Nudibranch

Kangaroo Nudibranch