Sydney Pygmy Pipehorse

[Chris Ross]

One of the critters unique to Sydney divesites is the Sydney pygmy pipehorse, they are quite small and cryptic and apparently restricted to the coast south of Sydney NSW.  They are so cryptic that it takes real experience to find them and they can "disappear" seconds after you have been shown precisely where one is. 

Lucky enough to dive recently  with a diver who routinely finds up to 40 individuals on a dive at The Steps, right at the entrance to Sydney's Botany Bay and got a lot of photos of individuals with varying colouration.  They range in length from 30 to 55mm long and colour varies in shades or reds, pinks, white and green-brown shades.  To add to frustrations they sway just a little out sync with the surge and squirm a bit following food items, plus their eyes also swivel rapidly and there's plenty of shots where the pupil can't be seen as it is looking behind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ChipBPhoto]

Nice finds and frames!

[Troporobo]

Great shots Chris!  You did an excellent job isolating them from the background, which is often so difficult with well camouflaged critters that stay close to their habitat.  I’d like to hear something about your lighting technique on these.  Also, how big are they?  

[Chris Ross]

8 hours ago, Troporobo said:

Great shots Chris!  You did an excellent job isolating them from the background, which is often so difficult with well camouflaged critters that stay close to their habitat.  I’d like to hear something about your lighting technique on these.  Also, how big are they?  

Thanks!, lighting is pretty standard 10 and 2 lighting close in and a bit behind the port.  They are quite small in the range of 35-55mm total length, the way to spot them seems to be that they are slightly out of sync with the surge. 

[Ido]

Great shots as usual.. What a magical creature 

[pairadocs]

impressive.  tnx for sharing

[humu9679]

Such a treat to see small animals. And most of us know the patience and cooperation require to make those pictures! Well done.