Back to Pulau Semakau

6 November 2009 - We're back again on Semakau! This is yet another good trip with many interesting sightings. But of course, since we're there to help Mei Lin with her project, the main subject for the day would still be....

Giant Clams! This is the same clam that Kok Sheng found on our previous trip. It quickly clammed up when it sensed our presence!

Here's another one, partially submerged in water and more relaxed, exposing its fleshy body...

Wandering Cowrie... Cowries are threatened by over-collection due to their highly prized shells.

This is a Reef Bristleworm.

And a really tiny shrimp on a Haddon's Carpet Anemone...

This Hairy Crab looked kinda "muddy"... need a hairdryer perhaps?

Ha! I finally managed to get a picture of a Mosaic Reef Crab! This is the most poisonous crab in Singapore. There are several documented deaths caused by eating this crab as cooking doesn't destroy its toxins.

Is this a Chequered Cardinalfish? I like its colour... don't you think the fish is pretty photogenic?

And this is a Toadfish. This fish can really "croak" like a toad!

Copperband Butterflyfish! Isn't it pretty? The false eye on its dorsal fin serves to distract potential predators.

Peek-a-boo! No idea what this fish is though...

Giant Carpet Anemone... with a very shy False Clown Anemonefish hiding among its tentacles... Can you spot the fish?

Frilly Anemone... Saw quite a number of them today.

This is a White-rumped Sea Cucumber. As its name suggests, the distinguishing feature of this sea cucumber is the white or greyish zone around the rear-end.

And this is the Durian Sea Cucumber. The surface of this cucumber does indeed look a bit like durian skin!

hmm... is this a Smooth Sea Cucumber?

a Lined Chromodoris Nudibranch! This pretty nudibranch is quite commonly found on our southern shores.

And two cute Polka-dot Nudibranch engaging in procreation. =)

Somehow, I can't help thinking that this nudibranch looks a lot like...
a cow! ~moo~

Brown Striped Flatworm. This is a first sighting for me...

and another first - a Dog-faced Watersnake! Ria found it snacking on a fish.

A Yellow-lipped Sea Krait! This beautiful snake is highly venomous but is quite docile and will not bite unless provoked. But still, it is best to leave it alone.

Had a short but really interesting and fulfilling field trip today. This new shore is definitely worth many more visits!