Maldives 2010, Athuruga: Photos 5

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Diving - Reef fish and corals at Atabu Thila and Panettone Kandu

Beautiful but damaging Crown-of-Thorns sea star (Acanthaster planci) hiding under coral at Atabu Thila.

Beautiful but damaging Crown-of-Thorns sea star (Acanthaster planci) hiding under coral at Atabu Thila.  (207k)

Two almost closed Magnificent Sea Anemones (Heteractis magnifica) with attendant Maldives Anemonefish (aka Black-footed Clown Fish) (Amphiprion nigripes) at Atabu Thila.

Two almost closed Magnificent Sea Anemones (Heteractis magnifica) with attendant Maldives Anemonefish (aka Black-footed Clown Fish) (Amphiprion nigripes).   (238k)

An enormous Smooth Sea Fan (Annella Mollis) at about 20m at Atabu Thila.

An enormous Smooth Sea Fan (Annella Mollis) at about 20m at Atabu Thila.  (294k)

A group of tiny Lyretail Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) hiding amongst Thin Coral (Acropora tenuis).

A group of tiny Lyretail Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) hiding amongst Thin Coral (Acropora tenuis). (228k)

This small but aggressive Jewel Damselfish (Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus) kept head-butting me away from his patch at Atabu Thila.

This small but aggressive Jewel Damselfish (Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus) kept head-butting me away from his patch at Atabu Thila. (209k)

Possibly a group of Pale / Blackspot / Finspot Soldierfish (Miropristis botche) at Panettone Kandu. Described as rare, but definitely reported from the Maldives.

Possibly a group of Pale / Blackspot / Finspot Soldierfish (Miropristis botche) at Panettone Kandu. Described as rare, but definitely reported from the Maldives.  (195k)

Beautiful blue Cauliflower Soft Coral (Scleronephthya sp) and a pair of Phantom or Indian Bannerfish (Heniochus pleurotaenia) at about 20m at Emmas Thila.  The blue coral looks brighter than this underwater, and is commonly found hanging from ceilings and walls at this sort of depth.

Beautiful blue Cauliflower Soft Coral (Scleronephthya sp) and a pair of Phantom or Indian Bannerfish (Heniochus pleurotaenia) at about
        20m at Emmas Thila.�The blue coral looks brighter than this underwater, and is commonly found hanging from ceilings and walls at this sort of depth.   (230k)

Blue-stripe snappers (Lutjanus kasmira) sheltering from the current at Panettone Kandu.

Blue-stripe snappers (Lutjanus kasmira) sheltering from the current at Panettone Kandu.  (220k)

Clown Triggerfish (Balistoides conspiculum) at Panettone Kandu.

Clown Triggerfish (Balistoides conspiculum) at Panettone Kandu. (231k)

Yellowmargin Triggerfish (Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus) at Panettone Kandu.

Yellowmargin Triggerfish (Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus) at Panettone Kandu.  (164k)

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