Ultramarine Magazine Issue 64 JuneJuly 2017

 Anatomy of an Atoll

and the coral becomes a little
more consistent. Shoals of
anthias, including Pseudanthias
squamipinnis, P. ignitus and P.
evansi are often found together
in high current areas, feeding
on the passing food particles
that contribute to making
Maldivian visibility so poor.
The latter fi sh can form quite
large shoals, and is often seem
amidst coral branches when
young.
The coral, depending on
the reef and degree of earlier
bleaching can be quite
astounding, with large areas
covered in tabulate Acropora,
with some colonies more than
a metre across. Some stands
of branching Acropora are also
particularly attractive. What
you tend not to get though, is a
great deal of colour. Dull brown
and creams with some hints of
pastel shades are as colourful
as the corals get. Encrusting
sponges and Tubastraea
certainly make up for it though.
Fish life is splendid as well,
indeed there are some
species that are quite a
nuisance. Shoals of glassfi sh
and silversides can be very
attractive to watch as they fl ash
silver in their thousands, but
when you’re trying to shoot a
static subject and they’re using
you for shelter, they are a real
pain.
Away from the reef and into
the blue there are plenty of
larger fi sh to watch out for;

A typical Maldivian reef at around twenty metres.

Possibly Acropora clathrata, this coral was well over a

metre across.

This little scorpionfi sh was well camoufl aged.

A stunning example of Acropora formosa In this image, various coral species have colonised a

dead tabulate Acropora

The gorgeous Pseudanthias ignitus

P. squamipinnis with P. evansi to the rear left.

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