sgbeachbum: terumbu bemban besar

Terumbu (or Beting) Bemban Besar is a submerged reef located off Pulau Semakau.
(Where is TBB? Click here to find out).

The following is a small selection of clips and pics from a wonderful morning's walk :

1. false scorpion fish

false scorpion fish from SgBeachBum on Vimeo.

This particular specimen, about 8cm long, was very co-operative during the shoot no doubt perfectly confident about its ability to discourage any intrusion via its mimic of the venom-spined long spined scorpion fish. However, false scorpion fish lack true venom glands but may give one a nasty poke if grabbed.
Read more about it here :
http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/fish/serranidae/vaigiensis.htm

2. ribbon jellyfish and fish

Jelly n Fish from SgBeachBum on Vimeo.

It was surprising to see a tiny fish (actually two as there was another much smaller one which is difficult to spot amongst the tentacles) swimming around in and out of the ribbon jellyfish's tentacles. Usually, the ribbon jellyfish's tentacles are lethal to anything it comes into contact with. But here were fish happy to play or rather seek the protection of the stinging tentacles. Mutualism or Commensalism at work?

Read about Ribbon Jellyfish at WildSingapore's Wildfacts : http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/others/jellyfish/ribbon.htm

3. Blue-Spotted Fantail Ray

blue-spotted fantail ray @ tBembanBesar 22Apr2011 from SgBeachBum on Vimeo.

This small stingray was caught in a shallow but large pool and tried to get as far away as possible without much success. If finally disappeared in a flash of sand leaving only the white tip of its tail visible. Once under cover of sand, it was practically invisible.

Read more about the Blue-Spotted Fantail Ray at WildSingapore's Wildfacts : http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/fish/dasyatidae/lymma.htm

4. Nudibranch - Phyllidiella pustulosa

phyllidia nudibranch @ tBembanBesar 22Apr2011 from SgBeachBum on Vimeo.

This little slug was only about 1cm long and seemed happy to stay put despite the strong current.

Read more about the Phyllid nudibranch :
http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/slugs/nudibranchia/phyllidiidae.htm
http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/slugs/nudibranchia/pustulosa.htm
http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/nudibranch/nudipages/pustulosa.html

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Read more about the trip from other blogs :-