Sea Bees?

Hi Wetpixellers, Need a little help please IDing the critters in the video clip. Found them in Nuweiba (Egyptian Red Sea), buzzing around above an anemone at around 15-20 m. The dive guide thought they were called Sea Bees. So any ideas what they are and what the correct name for them is?

Many thanks,

Jo

They do look like bees, don't they? They're small mysid crustaceans called Idiomysis tsurnamali. Only found in the Red Sea & surrounding areas, and always a commensal on sea anemones & the upside-down jellyfish Cassiopea. Unfortunately the only website that has close up images of them - dafni.com - is currently infected by malware so I don't advise going there.

Fortunately, here on Wetpixel we have two threads with great images of similar species showing the odd body shape. Idiomysis is fairly unique because of the chunky body & thin curled tail. Most mysids are sleek and elongated, much more shrimp-like. You did a great job - especially in the last third of the video - focusing on individuals.

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=29478

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=23549

Bzzzzzzz. Great video Jo.

They do look like bees, don't they? They're small mysid crustaceans called Idiomysis tsurnamali. Only found in the Red Sea & surrounding areas, and always a commensal on sea anemones & the upside-down jellyfish Cassiopea. Unfortunately the only website that has close up images of them - dafni.com - is currently infected by malware so I don't advise going there.

 

Fortunately, here on Wetpixel we have two threads with great images of similar species showing the odd body shape. Idiomysis is fairly unique because of the chunky body & thin curled tail. Most mysids are sleek and elongated, much more shrimp-like. You did a great job - especially in the last third of the video - focusing on individuals.

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=29478

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=23549

That's great. Many thanks Leslie for your help with this. There was so much to see in the sea grass over there, but these were something new to me. Just wished I'd spent a bit more time with them!!!

It's not the best bit of footage I'm afraid, as trying to get them focused wasn't the easiest.....darned things wouldn't stay still!!!

Thanks again,

Jo

Bzzzzzzz. Great video Jo.

Thanks Alex. Definitely are busy little critters!!!