Spotted sea hare oozing purplish chemical deterrent ink in a rock pool. Eastern Cape, South Africa (2021). A typical smooth-skinned sea hare with prominent tentacles and ear-like rhinophores. Green-brown, speckled with small, white-centred black spots. Up to 150 mm in length. Common in shallow bays and estuaries. Hides by day and emerges at night to… Continue reading Spotted sea hare (Aplysia oculifera)
Tag: Old Woman's River
Ribbed false-limpet (Siphonaria concinna)
Adult and juvenile ribbed false-limpets on an exposed rock. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2024). Previously called Siphonaria deflexa. Apex of the shell almost central, smooth, white and oval. Outline oval but slightly swollen on the right to accommodate a siphon that extends outwards from the lung cavity. Ribs well-spaced and never prickly, with 20-25 (or… Continue reading Ribbed false-limpet (Siphonaria concinna)
Cape false-limpet (Siphonaria capensis)
Two Cape false-limpets (Siphonaria capensis) in a shallow rock pool. Mosselbaai, Western Cape (2022) - iNaturalist Apex of the shell almost central. Outline oval but slightly swollen on the right to accommodate a siphon that extends outwards from the lung cavity. About 40-50 low, flat ribs that are roughly equal in size and scarcely project,… Continue reading Cape false-limpet (Siphonaria capensis)
Alikreukel (Turbo sarmaticus)
Large alikreukel covered in spiral fanworms (Spirorbis spp.) and pinkish barnacles. Old Woman's River, Eastern Cape (2021) - iNaturalist Also called the giant periwinkle, or the South African turban shell. Large and round, height less than width. About three rows of low nodules spiral around each whorl - though they may erode and disappear in… Continue reading Alikreukel (Turbo sarmaticus)
Dwarf chiton (Ischnochiton oniscus)
Gang of dwarf chitons under a boulder. Old Woman's River, Eastern Cape (2021) - iNaturalist Colour often white but can occur in a wide variety of patterns and colours. Valves textured with fine pits, which are often arranged in rows, but lacking radiating ridges. Girdle narrow, covered in tiny scales that appear smooth to the… Continue reading Dwarf chiton (Ischnochiton oniscus)
Crevice anemone (Anthopleura michaelseni)
Details of the spherules, and the long tentacles of the crevice anemone. Fishhoek, Western Cape (2020) - iNaturalist Also called long-tentacled anemone. Column with large sticky pads, to which shells and gravel adhere. Dark stripes usually radiate from mouth to the 96 long pink-to-brownish tentacles. Spherules present. Up to 150 mm in diameter, but commonly… Continue reading Crevice anemone (Anthopleura michaelseni)
Giant chiton (Dinoplax gigas)
Adult chiton, with badly eroded valves, found in a rock crevice. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2021) - iNaturalist Also called 'armadillo'. Shell large with steeply arched grey or brown valves, usually badly eroded. Girdle brown and dotted with distinct tufts of small brown hairs. 70 to 100 mm in length. Usually found partially or totally… Continue reading Giant chiton (Dinoplax gigas)
African spiny starfish (Marthasterias africana)
Hunting bluish and orange spiny starfish. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2022) - iNaturalist Body salmon-pink, orange, deep blue or blue-grey. Aboral (dorsal) surface irregular, covered in conspicuous spines, each surrounded by a halo of minute pincer-like organs (called pedicellaria) that are used to keep the body surface clean. Tube-feet in 4 series. Small red eyespot… Continue reading African spiny starfish (Marthasterias africana)
F*CK FISH 