Glossodoris symmetricus from Aliwal Shoal

Coral crab Trapezia rufopunctata from Sodwana Bay

Yellowspotted scorpionfish Sebastapistes cyanostigma from Sodwana Bay
All photos Wilhelm van Zyl
Glossodoris symmetricus This nudibranch is found on both inshore and offshore reefs, down to 30m. It occurs throughout the Indo-West Pacific region, although it is more common in the Indian Ocean.

Coral crab Trapezia rufopunctata and Yellowspotted scorpionfish Sebastapistes cyanostigma Both these animals use the densely branching cluster finger coral (Genus Acropora) as very convenient, and safe, hiding spots. Both the fish and the crab are remarkably common in Sodwana, with nearly every cluster of the coral housing at least one. They are rather hard to photograph as the gaps in the coral are often too narrow to aim both lens and strobe into, and getting a photo of a whole animal is not easy.
The crab feeds on mucus and detritus, while the scorpionfish is probably an ambush predator.
References:
Nudibranchs and Sea Snails - Indo-Pacific field guide, H. Debelius, 1996.
More Reef Fishes and Nudibranchs, D. King and V. Fraser, 2002.
Smiths' Sea Fishes, MM Smith and PC Heemstra, 1986.
Crustacea Guide of the World, H. Debelius, 2001
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