The eye of the Glasseye (Heteropriacanthus cruentatus)

Subject: The eye of the Glasseye (Heteropriacanthus cruentatus), a member of the Bigeyes family (Priacanthidae), is extremely well adapted for life in obscure milieus. They have, like all other Bigeyes family members, big spherical lenses and photoreceptors specialized to see in dark and low-light environments. This nocturnal feeder of small octopuses, tiny squids, crabs and shrimps is also able to rapidly intensify and fade its reddish colour and silver patterns.

Technique: To make this reddish fish stand out we’ve desaturated the pinkish/purplish algae shrubbery in the foreground slightly.

Barredfin Moray Eel

Subject: A Barredfin Moray Eel (Gymnothorax zonipectis) surrounded by Dancing Hinge-beak Shrimps (Rhynchocinetes durbanensis) has found a refuge into a small opening in a coral patch. Although not uncommon, these eels are seldom seen due to the fact that they are only active at night. The bigger shrimp cleaning the chin of the eel (only its silhouette is visible) could not be identified but is probably a White-banded Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis).

Technique: The moray was in an almost impossible position to film. Big branches of corals blocked an easy access to the subject, which I would have preferred to film frontal. On the other hand by filming the eel from that awkward angle, I could add some blue in the lower part of the picture and was able to film the silhouette of a shrimp, which created a cool optical effect.

A sea cucumber of the Synaptidae family

Subject: A sea cucumber of the Synaptidae family slouches over a sandy bottom in search for food. They use their tentacles to sweep over the substrate to catch food and deliver it into their mouth. These Echinoderms with a snake-like body can grow up to 2m/6ft.

Technique: I am sure that this animal doesn’t make any audible noise at all, but to increase the spectacle for the viewer I chose to add some sounds. It just makes the clip more enjoyable to watch.