Subject: This Undulated Moray Eel (Gymnothorax undulatus) is plagued with Sea Lice. Copepods are small crustaceans that live in every aquatic habitat. Most of them are free-living species but some prefer a parasitic lifestyle and settle on the skin of a host. Although they’re not really harmful, most fish prefer to have them removed at different cleaning stations on the reef by cleaner shrimps and/or cleaner wrasses. Ironic detail; many of these small crustaceans are themselves infected with Dinoflagellates, a gut parasite.
Technique: It is a challenge to film such small critters under water. Tiny moving subjects easily cause focus fluctuations. So use a diopter and make sire you’ve got enough footage. Afterwards while editing just select the best shots.
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