Bonaire

A friend took this in Bonaire. Can't figure it out. Something on the back looks looks like the underside of some kind of invertebrate.

Any ideas???

Looks like it might be a coiled up basket star with a sea star of some type inside. Might have been just hanging out when his party place rolled up for the morning. Definition of having a rough day.

Steve

Yup, thats a basket star!

Looks as though you shined your torch on it for a little too long, and it is 'folding' up.

I find that a red dive light (I put a red gel over the front) works great for these types of animals as they tend not to be as afraid. So I carry my white exploring light (the Fantasea 60 led is awesome) and then I use a smaller red light for closer inspections!

Great shot though!

The "sea star" is the main body. These are classified with ophiuroids - brittle & serpent stars, distinguishable from regular stars by the way the arms are much narrower & distinct from the body. Only at night can you see them fully extended and feeding. by day they curl into tight little balls that look like spagetti clumps & hide.

Cool, thanks Leslie, one of these days I'm going to learn to stop guessing.

Steve

thanks all, I'll pass the info along.

Keep guessing Steve. Being wrong (a lot) hasn't stopped me one bit!

Now to find the shrimp on them and photograph them!