Cup Coral

To dive with the scuba equipment even in a very shallow water can have its advantages. The ability to breathe underwater gives you the the necessary time to explore cracks in rocks and observe their tiny inhabitants. I was diving in Goat Island marine reserve recently. I crossed the channel and spent most of my time around rocks in shallow water on the island’s south-eastern side. The maximum depth of the dive was mere 3.2 metres, but I would have never seen most of the small critters if I was on snorkel.

The picture above is an example of the macro life forms that can be seen there. It’s a cup coral Monomyces rubrum … I hope I got it right. Note its translucent tentacles on the brightly coloured body.