Reef at Dusk

Damselfish hover above a coral head in the fading evening light off Mabul Island in Malaysian Borneo. Dusk is an active time on the reef as diurnal and nocturnal animals end and begin their respective days, and predators lurk in hope of an ambush. On Mabul, is is also the time when the beautiful mandarinfish emerge from hiding to perform an elaborate courtship dance.

Clowning around

Anemonefishes or clownfishes live within a host anemone in a symbiotic relationship. Anemones are related to coral and have stinging cells calls nemotacysts which are used to sting and capture small animals for food. Anemonefishes develop a special mucous on their skin that prevents them from being stung by the host anemone and therefore find protection from predators by hiding within the anemone.