Quinn

Yes, Looked at your photos and these are indeed the Hy6droid Shrimp, Rapipontonia galena, that I was referring to that you might also find on these type of hydroids in the Caribbean as well!! They are much larger than the Skeleton Shrimp. which probably look like the unfocused blob areas your referring to. Something to look forward to next dive trip then.. Yes, you'll need to add a good diopter for these guys, they are teeny tiny..Tim has a bit of an advantage as those in Indo although still small, are some what larger than those we find in Cayman, etc.. Do you dive with AKR by chance while on Roatan? I have a very good friend who works there who excels at macro hunting..

Hydroids for sure, and looks like a few Skeleton Shrimp hanging about amidst the branches.

Probably a Juvenile Graysby, Cephalopholis cruentatus. The white line down the forehead, a distinguishing characteristic, sponges common habitat for youngsters.

Branching Anemone Lebrunia danae pg 41 Reef Creature Identification Book, 3rd Edition, Florida, Bahamas, Caribbean. We see this some what frequently diving Grand Cayman as well.

Hi, Being one of the co authors of the Cayman Nudibranch Book, I can offer up some hints which hopefully will give you some what better odds than a just crapshoot.:) Cor and Tursiops hit the main ones. Forget the guided boat dives! You need to move very slow stopping frequently to really look. Ideally shore diving works the best. Most of what you see photographed in the book was found in the 15-60ft depth range, with the highest concentration being in the shallower depth. Boat dives are going to be too deep for you to spend adequate time looking. Hopefully you have a like minded buddy. If I'm looking for them during the day, then I'm focusing on grasses, rubble, debris,( Tritoniopsis frydis love to congregate on dead sea rods) hydroids, and algae. Its pretty amazing what all is hiding a top the hard pan at Turtle Reef that divers never see on their rush to get to the mini or main wall. Look for egg coils on algae clumps( light fanning above the algae reveals more) usually a tell tale sign nudis are lurking .Don't forget to think small, and smaller. Those Nudibranchs in the Caribbean don't begin to compare in size to their Indo Pacific cousins, but it makes finding the little buggars even more special. At night, its all about the sponges, all varieties. That is where you will find the greatest concentration of nudibranchs out feeding. Each variety has their preferred dinner of choice. Trapania dalva seem to like Brown Bowl Sponges, Tritonia Bayeri Sea rods, etc, They'll be on the algae as well, and at night as opposed to being buried deep within a clump they are most likely riding on the top edge of a leaf. If I was focusing a trip around finding them, I would plan on doing as many night dives as I could, multiples in one evening. Start just after dark, do one, get your SIT in and do another after the crowds have gone home.:) Be patient. They are there. If you know where and how to look. Familiarize yourself with their dietary habits and look to their food source. If you decide on Cayman, and have other questions feel free to message me. Happy Hunting! Cindy

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PM sent THX Quinn

Hi, I have been to the resort several times in the past, never with a large group and have never felt slighted by the fact. Komung/Komang? has guided me on two of those stays, and I was very pleased with his efforts . What I did for the staff, was arrange with the resort manager to offer a pig roast which we all greatly enjoyed. Have recommended the resort to others through the years, and none were disappointed!! Have a great adventure!! Cindy. Ps.. I like diving with Mike as well.

It's a Solenogastre. Found one twice here on Grand Cayman some years ago that looks very similar to yours! Found mine in relatively shallow waters,45' or so. I was told at the time, that they were generally found at far deeper depths. Great find!! Cindy

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Ellen is a very dedicated underwater naturalist and skilled photographer! I've contacted her several times over the years for confirmation of sightings I have enjoyed. I haven't been to Bonaire in years, but spend considerable time in Grand Cayman seeking out macro life, including nudibranchs with decent success. It's not the location or site you want to focus on, but the habitat and their food source. That being said, I look for them on sponges, hydroids, algae, rubble and debris in depths of 15 to 65 ft, also time of day matters. Where during the day, I might focus my search in algae, dead fans, debris and rubble, diving at night, sponges and hydroids can yield significant finds. Move slow, don't be rushed and get out the magnifying glass! Most of what you find, is significantly smaller than those in Indonesia, with the Elysia Crispata( Lettuce leaf sea slug) being one of the largest, down to those in the Doto family being grain of rice size. I helped friends some years ago self publish a Nudibranch identification book for Grand Cayman. Although not Bonaire, believe it gives one a good idea of what the Caribbean has to offer .We've tried to include habitat and time of day when possible. The book is still available on Amazon, Cayman Nudibranchs, if you care to check it out. I might add that we need to do some updating, as since then, the three of us have added nearly 20 different ones to the discoveries. Best of luck and please report back! Cindy

Looks to be possibly a variety of Spoon Worm, Bonellia Sp. Similar to what we find on occasion here in the Caribbean in the same type habitat, although the ones we find are generally green in color.

Hi, This looks very similar to a solengastre I photographed in the waters off Grand Cayman, BWI initially 5 years ago. It created a stir among experts at the time, as Know one had seen the likes of this particular one before. Photographed at nearly the same depth, I photographed another, or the same, in the same area last year. The difference between the two appears to be that some of the white areas on mine are raised into tiny ping pong ball extensions. I understand that experts are eager to have a specimen collected. Unfortunately, in order for me to do so, a special permit would be required, and there is no telling if I'd ever find one again. Sweet find!! Cindy

I was quite sure I recognized your critter but wanted to confirm it with Ben @ Coralreeffish.com. He agreed, Blackbelly Blenny. Sorry I 'm not aware of the Latin/ scientific name. I found one once many years ago, in the shallows of Grand Cayman. Very tiny,perhaps 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. moving between the algae clumps on the hard pan at either Cobalt Coast or Turtle Reef..Tough to photograph, I got less than decent head on shot, but enough for someone at Reef to identify at the time. Havent seen one since, and I've been looking!! Have never known any one else to find one either..Great find!!

Fixed, sorry bout that!!