Joel BergsmaUnderwater photographer · Expedition diver

Palau07°21'N 134°29'EJan 2012 to Feb 201234 photos

Sam's Wall

Crabs, pipefish, mandarinfish, giant clams, and other creatures and fish encountered along Sam's Wall - Jan - Feb 2012.

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White-Spotted Hermit Crab. See Paul Humann, et al, Reef Creature Identification - Tropical Pacific (2010) at page 162.White-Spotted Hermit Crab. See Paul Humann, et al, Reef Creature Identification - Tropical Pacific (2010) at page 162.White-Spotted Hermit Crab shown with the complete shell that he inhabits. See Paul Humann, et al, Reef Creature Identification - Tropical Pacific (2010) at page 162.Black Longspine Sea Urchin. It forms a small 5 pointed star at the center of its body. This urchin's spines can inflict painful wounds. See Paul Humann, et al, Reef Creature Identification - Tropical Pacific (2010) at page 449.
Unidentified urchin, possibly a cake urchin, disguised by some debris. See Paul Humann, et al, Reef Creature Identification - Tropical Pacific (2010) at page 451.Rock-boring Urchin. See Paul Humann, et al, Reef Creature Identification - Tropical Pacific (2010) at page 453.Mandarinfish. See Gerald Allen, et al, Reef Fish Identification - Tropical Pacific (2003) at page 289.Mandarinfish. See Gerald Allen, et al, Reef Fish Identification - Tropical Pacific (2003) at page 289.
Network Pipefish on Sam's Wall.Mandarinfish. See Gerald Allen, et al, Reef Fish Identification - Tropical Pacific (2003) at page 289.Small reef fish eyes me warily.Ringed Pipefish have a "red tail with white margin and a central white spot" and white alternating bars encircling the body. See Paul Humann, et al, Reef Creature Identification - Tropical Pacific (2010) at page 162.
Ringed Pipefish eyes are visible in this photo. This Pipefish has a "red tail with white margin and a central white spot" and white alternating bars encircling the body. See Paul Humann, et al, Reef Creature Identification - Tropical Pacific (2010) at page 162.Giant Clam and its exhalant siphon. See Paul Humann, et al, Reef Creature Identification - Tropical Pacific (2010) at page 390.Inhalant siphon of a Giant Clam. White Gills can be seen through the inhalant siphon. See Paul Humann, et al, Reef Creature Identification - Tropical Pacific (2010) at page 390.Exhalant siphon of a Giant Clam. At the base of the exhalant siphon is a speckled, sponge-like organ. See Paul Humann, et al, Reef Creature Identification - Tropical Pacific (2010) at page 390.
Saddled Butterflyfish. See Gerald Allen, et al, Reef Fish Identification - Tropical Pacific (2003) at page 24.Mandarinfish. See Gerald Allen, et al, Reef Fish Identification - Tropical Pacific (2003) at page 289.Dragonet. See Gerald Allen, et al, Reef Fish Identification - Tropical Pacific (2003) at page 292.Dragonet. See Gerald Allen, et al, Reef Fish Identification - Tropical Pacific (2003) at page 292.
Mandarinfish. See Gerald Allen, et al, Reef Fish Identification - Tropical Pacific (2003) at page 289.Cardinalfish beneath the floating dock.Giant Clam appears to reflect the shadows of the water overhead. See Paul Humann, et al, Reef Creature Identification - Tropical Pacific (2010) at page 390.A beautiful Boring Giant Clam. These clams "burrow deep into cracks in reefs" and are the smallest of the Giant Clams. See Paul Humann, et al, Reef Creature Identification - Tropical Pacific (2010) at page 390.
Mandarinfish. See Gerald Allen, et al, Reef Fish Identification - Tropical Pacific (2003) at page 289.Mandarinfish. See Gerald Allen, et al, Reef Fish Identification - Tropical Pacific (2003) at page 289.Mandarinfish. See Gerald Allen, et al, Reef Fish Identification - Tropical Pacific (2003) at page 289.Mandarinfish. See Gerald Allen, et al, Reef Fish Identification - Tropical Pacific (2003) at page 289.
Mandarinfish. See Gerald Allen, et al, Reef Fish Identification - Tropical Pacific (2003) at page 289.Mandarinfish. See Gerald Allen, et al, Reef Fish Identification - Tropical Pacific (2003) at page 289.Feather Duster at Sam's Wall.Mandarinfish. See Gerald Allen, et al, Reef Fish Identification - Tropical Pacific (2003) at page 289.
Mandarinfish. See Gerald Allen, et al, Reef Fish Identification - Tropical Pacific (2003) at page 289.Mandarinfish. See Gerald Allen, et al, Reef Fish Identification - Tropical Pacific (2003) at page 289.