Soft Coral Collection (#23)

Caribbean, Brittish Virgin Islands
Soft Whip Corals & blue Tang, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Caribbean

White Soft coral crab (Naxioides taurus) on red Gorgonian at Big Drop-off (Ngemelis Wall), Palau, Micronesia

Colorful soft corals on ledge, North Huvadhoo Atoll, Southern Maldives, Indian Ocean

Colorful soft corals (Dendronepthya sp. ) small anthias fish (Pseudanthias squamipinnis)
Colorful soft corals (Dendronepthya sp.) small anthias fish (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) and behind schooling Unicornfish (Naso thynnoides). Indonesia, Raja Ampat region of Papua (formerly Irian Jaya)

Indonesia. Soft Coral Crab (Hoplophrys oatesii)

Indonesia, Papua, Raja Ampat. Close-up of orange sea fan under tree coral

Indonesia, Raja Ampat. Rarely seen tiger shrimp and soft corals

Indonesia, Raja Ampat. Close-up of decorator crab that lives commensally with soft corals and matches color with host

Indonesia, Raja Ampat. Schooling silverside fish swim past coral reef

Indonesia, Raja Ampat. View of diverse coral reef marine ecosystem and popular diving spot

Indonesia, Raja Ampat. View of diverse, coral reef marine ecosystem

Indonesia, Raja Ampat. This goby fish is commensal with many species of marine invertebrates, such as soft coral

Indian Ocean, Indonesia, Triton Bay. Soft coral growing on boulder

Titan triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens) and Scalefin Anthias (Anthias Squamipinnis), with corals, Red Sea, Egypt

Arabian Picasso triggerfish, Rhinecanthus assasi, Panorama Reef (Abu Alama), Red Sea, Egypt

Coral hind, Cephalopholis miniata, at Elphinstone Reef, Red Sea, Egypt

Bleached soft coral. The colour in the coral is lost due to the expulsion of symbiotic unicellular algae called zooxanthellae that live within its tissues

Soft coral polyps (Clavularia sp. )
Soft coral polyps (Clavularia sp.). This coral has stinging cells on its tentacles that kill any organisms within the plankton it feeds

Dendronephthya soft coral
Soft coral. Close-up of the polyps (red) and spicules (white) of a Dendronephthya sp. soft coral. Each polyp is a single organism, which filters plankton from the water using its tentacles

Sea fan and crinoid
Crinoid and sea fan. Both the crinoid (Oxycomanthus sp.) and sea fan (Melithaea sp.) are filter feeders. The crinoid (circular, centre left) is able to move in search of the best feeding areas

Polycarpa aurata sea squirt
Polycarpa aurata tunicate, or sea squirt, amongst the branches of a Dendronephthya sp. soft coral. Sea squirts are sessile barrel-shaped animals that feed by filtering plankton from the water

Brittle star on coral

Polycarpa aurata sea squirts (purple/yellow) on a rock, surrounded by soft coral (orange). Sea squirts are primitive sessile animals that feed by passing water through their bodies

Juvenile lined sweetlips (Plectorhinchus lineatus) over brain coral. This fish is also known as the yellowbanded sweetlips. Photographed in Lambeh Strait, Indonesia

Strapweed filefish (Pseudomonacanthus macrurus). This fish can grow up to 18 centimetres in length and it can be found in shallow coastal algae reefs and estuaries

Orangelined cardinalfish (Archamia fucata) by a soft coral. Photographed in the Andaman Sea, Thailand

Bearded scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis barbatus). Scorpionfish are bottom-dwelling fish which have the ability to change their colouration to suit their substrate

Bluelined hind grouper (Cephalopholis formosa) by soft corals. Photographed in the Andaman Sea, Thailand

Blacktip grouper (Epinephelus fasciatus) on a rock. This fish, also known as the red-barred rockcod, grows up to 40 centimetres in length and is commonly found on the outer slopes of coral reefs

Golden damselfish with soft coral
Golden damselfish (Amblyglyphidodon aureus) juvenile among soft coral. This species of damselfish inhabits the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region

Lined sweetlips fish. (Plectorhinchus lineatus). It is also known as the yellowbanded sweetlips. Photographed in Malaysia

Saddleback anemonefish (Amphiprion ephippium) pair by soft corals. This fish inhabits the tropical seas around Southeast Asia, generally staying in shallow waters near the coast

Ribboned sweetlips fish (Plectorhinchus polytaenia) near a soft coral (red/white). Photographed in Irian Jaya, Indonesia

Two-stripe clingfish (Discotrema lineata) hiding in soft coral. These tiny fish normally associate with featherstars or urchins but can occasionally be found on other hosts

Tiger-tail seahorse (Hippocampus comes) on soft coral. This fish inhabits coral reefs in the Western central Pacific region. It feeds on tiny crustaceans, which it sucks in through its tubular mouth

Diver exploring a wreck. Diver examining a large soft coral (Siphongorgia sp.) on the wreck of the USAT Liberty, an American World War II supply ship. Photographed at Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia

Shipwreck interior. This small wreck appears to be a coastal patrol boat sunk in World War Two and is now home to many encrusting species of hard and soft corals

Organ pipe coral skeleton on a beach
Organ pipe coral (Tubipora musica) skeleton on a sandy beach. Photographed in Indonesia

Umbellate tree coral (Dendronephthya mucronata). Photographed in Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Goby on sea pen
Goby (Pleurisicya mossambica) on a purple sea pen (Virgularia gustaviana). Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Headshield slugs on soft coral
Headshield slugs (Chelidonura amoena) on soft coral. Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Acoel flatworms on soft coral
Acoel flatworms (Waminoa sp. dots) on soft coral. Photographed in Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Brittlestars on soft coral
Brittlestars (Ophiothrix sp. spiny) and acoel flatworms (Waminoa sp. red) on soft coral. Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Sea fan on a reef
Sea fan (order Gorgonacea) on a reef. Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Organ pipe coral on a beach
Organ pipe coral (Tubipora musica) on a sandy beach. The large amount of organ pipe coral present on this beach has given it a pink appearance. Photographed in Indonesia

Brittlestars on sea pen
Brittlestar (Ophiothela sp. spiny) on a purple sea pen (Virgularia gustaviana). Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Organ pipe coral (Tubipora musica). Photographed in Indonesia

Brittlestar on soft coral
Brittlestar (Ophiothrix sp. yellow) on leather coral. Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

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"Discover the mesmerizing beauty of soft corals in Indonesia's stunning Raja Ampat region. Witness the graceful dance of a Sweetlip fish as it glides over a vibrant sea fan, creating a breathtaking underwater spectacle. " "Immerse yourself in the colorful wonders of Raja Ampat, Indonesia, where schools of Yellowtail fusilier fish gracefully swim past delicate sea whip corals. A true feast for the eyes. " "Dive into an enchanting world where a Lionfish finds solace amidst lush Soft Corals and Anthias fish. This captivating scene showcases nature's harmony and diversity in Papua's pristine waters. " "Marvel at the intricate formations of Gorgonian sea fans adorning coral reefs in Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. These magnificent structures provide shelter and sustenance to countless marine species. " "Astonishing biodiversity unfolds before your eyes as you encounter Gorgonian/Sea whip coral accompanied by Ring tailed cardinalfish. Explore Egypt's Red Sea and witness this kaleidoscopic display of soft corals. " "Step into an underwater paradise adorned with soft corals, encrusting sponges, and playful Pygmy sweepers on a vibrant coral reef. Experience the magic that thrives beneath the surface. " "In West Papua, Indonesia lies a hidden gem - soft coral (Dendronephthya sp. ) flourishing on the seabed. Delicate yet resilient, these captivating organisms paint an ethereal picture beneath turquoise waters. " "Journey to Triton Bay near Kaimana in West Papua and be enchanted by the exquisite beauty of Flower tree soft corals (Umbellulifera sp. ). Discover nature's artistry at its finest. " "Witness nature's predator-prey dynamics unfold as Flamingo tongue cowries prey upon common sea fans (Gorgonia ventalina). East End in Grand Cayman offers glimpses into this fascinating symbiotic relationship.