Hi folks. I still can't figure this one out. Took this picture in 2005, in the Philippines. Depth was 40fsw/12msw. Time about 7:00pm.
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Hi folks. I still can't figure this one out. Took this picture in 2005, in the Philippines. Depth was 40fsw/12msw. Time about 7:00pm.
Like the rabbit in Monty Python's Holy Grail...
Where was this shot taken?
That is really weird looking....it is hard to tell without a side photo, as so far it just looks like me in the morning.
I am going to ask around and see what we can come up with.
I took that shot in Anilao, Philippines. I dive the area almost every weekend and have yet to see it again. The only other photo I have is it underbelly. Yes, I was able to pick it up and put it upside down. It was soft to the touch. It walks on stubby legs. It clearly has a mouth with teeth.
Does anyone know what angles of photos should be taken to help any in case I come across it again?
How many legs was it walking on? It seems really weird to say this, but it may be some kind of decorator crab.....
I was also thinking decorator crab
If it is a decorator crab, we'll probably never really identify the bugger for sure, since he has himself covered up so well...the eyes could be on stalks, or not...and the "mouth" probably isn't a mouth at all, as his mandibles are most likely hidden by the junk he's wearing. :D
.... Composcia retusa? That's a typ of decorator crab native to the eastern Pacific area where this animal was seen.
Hi Quero,
Do you mean Western Pacific? :confused:
In any case, one lead I've got is that it is a Teddy Bear Crab. Still haven't confirmed it though because I haven't found any picutre that vaguely resembles it.
Duh. Yeah. Of course. (looking at the map that has Australia at the top :p )Quote:
Originally Posted by oceanjam
Here are a couple of sites with deorator crabs that have green stuff on them:
Composia retusa (second photo)
Composia retusa
'Teddy bear crab' is Polydectus cupulifer. And here's a link wih a photo:
Polydectus cupulifer
If I was a gambling man, I'd bet you're looking at some sort of Frog Fish, although I've never seen one looking quite like that before. The eyes and mouth and your description of stubby legs sounds about right to me. I've tried to attach a picture I found on the web when I searched under Frog Fish pictures. If that doesn't work take a look at http://www.flickr.com/photos/tan-tc/190007114/
that's where I found the picture.
Good luck with the ID, its a cool picture, whatever it is.
Couldn't figure out how to edit my last posting, so here's another picture I found. Same source as before.