Yes hermit crabs with the sec 3s from Jurongville secondary! (:
I must say we are wheelie lucky today! We actually saw dolphins on our way to Semakau! (though I only managed to catch a glimpse of it haha) The weather was good- no sun, so the walk to the intertidal flats was actually quite cooling.
& that’s ag with her own group who is a lead guide for the first time ahaha!
Cloudy weather.
Creeper shell (Family Cerithidae)! They usually gather in large numbers to feed on organic matter and algae.
Turban shell(Turbo sp.). They feed on algae and have a round thick operculum otherwise known as the'cat's eye' covering its opening. The 'cat's eye' is often collected for jewellery, buttons and even paperweights(bigger ones that is). They are also collected as food in some countries.
Cowry(Cypraea errones). Note that it actually has a pair of tentacle so it is actually alive! Their shell is covered with mantle which protects it from scratches hence maintaining its glossy appearance. Because of their beautiful nature, cowrie has greatly sought after by shell collectors hence are danger of becoming extinct! Cowrie shells have been used as currency in the past.
Fan worm(probably Sabellastarte indica). Beautiful creature I must say. It lives in its own tube using mucus and sand. Its end has a magnificent fan-like structure that protrudes outside the hole. This ‘fan’ helps to filter water for food which the fan worm can feed on! The tentacles also have ‘eyespots’ that detect changes in light intensity so that it can retract safely into its tube when threatened.
So these are zoanthids(or colonial anemones)! That many creatures like the hairy crab feed on making them poisonous. (the poison is transferred from the zooanthids to the animals which feed on it.)
Ocellated sea cucumber(Stichopus ocellatus)! This is recognisable by its many ‘eyes’. This species actually sput out its internal guts when it feels threatened! However they will still be able to regenerate their organs back. Still during this time they are not able to eat anything!
Flat worm(Acanthozoon sp.). ! They are haemophrodites- which means can be both male and female in nature..! However they will avoid being the female as it is very energy-consuming. They also perform sexual intercourse through ‘penis-fencing’! That is they can poke their penis into any part of the other party.
Pufferfish can inflate their body twice the size to deter predators! This can be done by sucking in or retaining air and water in their bodies. Puffers have also a pair of sharp front teeth that resembles a parrot beak, which enables them to crush on the shellfish and crabs they usually feed on. They are considered a delicacy by the Japanese and Koreans but must be properly treated as they are highly toxic!
Sunflower mushroom coral (Heliofungia actiniformis). Unlike hard corals which exists in tentacles of 6, this is a singly animal! It does not exist in colonies. This particular coral is also detachable from surface as it is not rooted to ground.
Maze coral(Platygyra sp.).
O talking about hard corals, we have some interesting(proud) facts:
There are about 200 species of hard corals in Singapore. Although Singapore's size is only 0.02% of the Great barrier reef, we have almost half the number of species found at there! (:
Nemo~! The clownfish is often found in the sea anemone as it offers them protection with its stinging tentacles. In return for its protection, the clownfish often lure fishes to the sea anemone for its food.
Marginated glossodoris nudibranch (Glossodoris atromarginata). Nudibranchs also mean 'naked gills', as seen in the flowery gills found at their back which is used for breathing. They are sea slugs without shells, however they are able to eject toxins to protect themselves. They are carnivores which feed on immobile creatures like sponges and corals!
Black phyllid nudibranch (Phyllidiella nigra).
They are well-known for ejecting toxins into surrounding waters when stressed! So it is not a good idea of keeping them in your aquarium.
Soft corals(Family Alcyonaceae)
They are closely related to hard corals but they lack in calcium carbonate skeleton. They also possess stinging cells but are usually dangerour to humans.
A Seahorse (Hippocampus sp.) is actually a type of fish! Seahorses are poor swimmers, hence they can only make a short burst of speed when faced danger. One thing I like about seahorse is that the male gets pregnant instead of the females! The female inject their eggs into the male's pouch using a penis-like tube. Inside his pouch, his eggs are fertilised and embedded to the bloodwalls where they obtain the nutrients and oxygen. When the baby seahorses are hatched, the male is ready for another patch of eggs! In other words he is constantly pregnant!
Stonefish sea cucumber (Actinopyga lecanora).
During low tides, it can actually harden up making it look and feel like any other rock! It is also edible as long as it is well treated.
Can you guess what is this?
(after flipping over.)
Yea it is the upside down jellyfish(cassiopea sp.)! Their tentacles are often coloured green, due to the presence of symbiotic algae(zooxanthelle). The jellyfish are found upside down as the zooxanthelle makes food for them, in return for a secure home.
Enroute back into the forest, we saw the sea hibiscus(Hibiscus tiliaceus).
It is a one day flower. As in its flower grows and withers within a day- changes colours throughout. This plant is easily recognisable by its heart-shaped leaf.
We were really lucky as it started to pour really heavily only after we board the boat back. Perhaps it was due to the students? Ahaha. All in all, it was a lucky and cool trip! Thanks to the students, guides and everyone!
Do check out the other guides' blogs!
Ron
July
Samson
Eunice
Octopus!
Pregnant male seahorse! as you can see his pouch is actually bloated. 
Rhizostome Jellyfish (Order Rhizostomeae)?
Star Anemone (Condylactis sp.)?
Soft Corals (Family Alcyonaceae.)
Hermit Crab with Knobbly Seastar!
