Hermodice carunculata

Stuart Pearce Spawning fireworms (Hermodice carunculata) Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Stuart Pearce Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) meets a crustacean.... Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Stuart Pearce Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) playing in the bubbles... Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Stuart Pearce Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Antonio Espinosa Bearded firewarm (Hermodice carunculata) Palmar (Tenerife) Canary Island Olympus OM-EM5 Nauticam NA-EM5 M.Zuiko 12-50mm 2 inon D2000 -3 Iso 200 43mm 0EV f/8 1/60

Michael Sterken wow. actually looks like it is on fire.

Antonio Espinosa Thanks

Antonio Espinosa This picture takes on the wreck the meridian in Tenerife (Canary Islands), was at the top of the mast of the ship, above where you put the guard. surprised me quite find there.

Stuart Pearce Spawning fireworms (Hermodice carunculata) Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

John Paul Connor Nice

Stuart Pearce Thanks John :)

Stuart Pearce Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) playing in the bubbles... Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Ilan Lubitz FireWorm (Hermodice carunculata) Anilao Philippines Nikon D3X. 60mm. 2X SB-105

Annette Graves Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata)

Antonio Espinosa Bearded firewarm (Hermodice carunculata) Palmar (Tenerife) Canary Island Olympus OM-EM5 Nauticam NA-EM5 M.Zuiko 12-50mm 2 inon D2000 -3 Iso 200 43mm 0EV f/8 1/60

Stuart Pearce Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) playing in the bubbles... Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Annette Graves Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata), an important role to play in marine ecosystems..

Alessandro Pagano Detail of Hermodice carunculata. Nikon D700, Hugyfot houses, filters activators for bioluminescence, Nikon AFS VR 105, ISO 320, 1/250, f25, n. ° 2 flash Subtronic Nova / Alpha Pro Macro

Giorgio Cavallaro Uwp Wow! Excellent (y)

Michael Knorr very nice colours ! great !

Luis Rossel L. Great!

Robert Coelen looking good!

Alessandro Pagano Hermodice carunculata. Nikon D700-Hugyfot case, Nikon 105 AFS with wet lens SubSee +10, Subtronic Nova DTTL + Subtronic Alpha Pro Macro, Iso 200, 1/250, f22

Ken Thongpila Love this shot. I never shot this angle before. Umm, will try next time. Thanks Alessandro Pagano for sharing this..

Alessandro Pagano Thanks!I removed the photo that UW had mistakenly inserted into the macro section.

Annette Graves Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) feast...

Juan Jose Sotano Garcia Hermodice carunculata¡¡ Cabeza. (Head) Nikon D200, Sea&Sea, Inon x2 z240, 105 mm, f/36 1/250. Subsee +10, Iso 100

Annette Graves Awesome shot of one of my favourite critters :)

Ron Silver o-u-c-h!

Annette Graves Its feeling threatened aswell, flaring them bristles!! :)

Annette Graves Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata)

Annette Graves Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata)

Annette Graves Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata), Olu Deniz Nature Reserve, Turkey

Stuart Pearce Well, I think that is about all the best fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) shots from this years trip shown on the group, so they can say goodnight and crawl back under their stone LOL.... Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013 (Threefin blennies next ;) )

Annie Bodar sublime merci

Stuart Pearce Thanks Annie :)

Michael Sterken I don't know about everybody else, but I have enjoyed every one of them.

Stuart Pearce Thank you Michael :)

Stuart Pearce The Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) Earlier shot from 2009, Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey.

Ernst Andres <3 I love it

Stuart Pearce Thanks Ernst, good morning :)

Ernst Andres :-)

Marie-therese Bertin super joli!!

Claudia Weber-Gebert oh, a fireworm - what a surprise :D

Stuart Pearce Thanks Marie-therese :)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Claudia, not from this year for a change LOL :D

Claudia Weber-Gebert :D

Marlyse Gehrig double (y)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Marlyse :)

Stuart Pearce The Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata)..... Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Marie-therese Bertin superbe!!!

Stuart Pearce Thanks Marie-therese :)

Gina Bittencourt Muito Bella !!!

Stuart Pearce Thanks Gina :)

Ernst Andres (Y)

Stuart Pearce Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata)... Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Marie-therese Bertin super beau!

Stuart Pearce Thanks Marie-therese :)

Michael Sterken phenomenal color! really brings out the beauty of these little creatures.

Stuart Pearce Thanks Michael, in answer to your question elsewhere, I have a small lightweight slave strobe from sunpak, it is adjustable and I set on very low, highly recommend for up close :)

Michael Sterken That is what bothered me about the Sealife - adjusting the brightness while underwater was very cumbersome. I would often blow away the image - especially on close-ups. I will look into the Sunpak. thanks

Gina Bittencourt Muito interessante !!!

Stuart Pearce Thanks Gina :)

Stuart Pearce Will get the Model no. of the Sunpak for you later Michael, very easy to adjust underwater, super lightweight for travel, also should get used ones for about £75 these days :)

Stuart Pearce Here is the strobe Michael, just called a Sunpak all weather & marine G. Flash...

Michael Sterken that is discontinued by Sunpak, but looks about like what I need. thanks for your time and input Stuart. How is the weather in Hull? Sunny and 70 this weekend here. and they said it was going to be a cold winter here in south Texas!

Michael Sterken Unless you want to sell me yours Stuart? :)

Stuart Pearce It is discontinued, but they do come up on ebay every now and again, Inon also do very similar lightweight strobes :) Not parting with mine LOL :D Winter is starting to set in with a vengeance here in the UK :)

Dive Jobs yeah, thats the one and only thing, you can see in Turkey! ;-) ok...ok.... it was a joke ;-)

Stuart Pearce Got to look a bit harder then LOL,....ok....ok.....it was a joke ;)

Stuart Pearce Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) bristles in action, serious pain for any diver who's skin brushed against splayed bristles like this.... Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Marie-therese Bertin super joli!!

Stuart Pearce Thanks Marie-therese :)

Michael Sterken I will heed your advice. And you take some awesome fireworm shots. I was in St. Lucia a little while back and saw many of these guys, but didn't feel like getting very close!

Stuart Pearce Thanks Michael, a pedal boat nearly shoved me into this little mound as I was shooting, as if I would be hard to see in lime green & electric blue LOL :D

Michael Sterken that is why I am afraid to get too close - some unforeseen force blunders me into it. Usually where I dive you are not allowed to wear gloves, so otherwise I would be much braver. It was sort of funny really - while diving in St. Lucia - it was against the law to dive with gloves on, but the DM's were violently poking around every crevice with snorkels.

Stuart Pearce Never agreed with that rule Michael, never dive without gloves, I have even seen DM's poking critters with sticks! :)

Gina Bittencourt Espetacular !!!! :)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Gina :)

Stuart Pearce The Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata)... Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Stuart Pearce Someone was late for the party.... Mating Fireworms (Hermodice carunculata). Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

John Paul Connor Nice

Stuart Pearce Thanks John :)

Marie-therese Bertin superbe photo!!!

Stuart Pearce Thanks Marie-therese :)

Claudia Weber-Gebert the party's still going on ? ;)

Stuart Pearce Still a few party shots left to go Claudia ;)

Stuart Pearce Party over... Mating fireworms (Hermodice carunculata) Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Marie-therese Bertin magnifique!!!

Stuart Pearce Thanks Marie-therese :)

Stuart Pearce The latecomer was eventually let into the party.... Mating Fireworms (Hermodice carunculata). Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Joaquin Muñoz nicee :)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Joaquin :)

Claudia Weber-Gebert party-time :D

Stuart Pearce Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) wonders what the strange watermark is, that has suddenly appeared above her head LOL.... Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Claudia Weber-Gebert :D more to follow - hopefully :)

Oltan Akdogan looking fwd to diving here nxt year.

Marie-therese Bertin de toute beauté!!!

Stuart Pearce Thanks Claudia, could not resist the title, actually looks like its checking out my logo LOL :D

Stuart Pearce Very nice area Oltan, cannot scuba dive in the Lagoon, only freediving or snorkelling, for scuba Afkule Cavern is a great dive around there, and some very nice sites around Gemiler Island :)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Marie-therese :)

Hamdi Kassem i like the colour

Stuart Pearce Thanks, just under the surface Hamdi, and bright sunlight, had to tone them down slightly :)

Hamdi Kassem i see stuart

Gina Bittencourt Fantastic ,,,!!!! :)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Gina :)

Mohd Hafiz Ghazali Wooo awesome bro

Stuart Pearce Thanks Mohd :)

Stuart Pearce The party is in full swing... Amorous fireworms (Hermodice carunculata). Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Magali Dominiqueli wow so different!

Stuart Pearce Thanks Magali :)

Angelo Salvatore un'orgia

Enzo Vadalà Anche in Turchia ! Una proliferazione massiva.!

Marie-therese Bertin superbe!!!!

Stuart Pearce Numbers seemed to peak back in 2006 Enzo, they then seemed to diminish in numbers, back on the increase this year :)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Marie-therese :)

Enzo Vadalà Also by us are greatly increased for some years !!

Claretta Spada Mi piace

Eka Supartama u tokk with your Fuji...? nice shot...

Stuart Pearce Thanks Eka, yes the Fuji F50fd :)

Gina Bittencourt Maravilhosa essa foto ,,,!!! :)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Gina :)

Claudia Weber-Gebert yesssssss, party-time :D

Stuart Pearce Thanks Claudia :)

Stuart Pearce If this party is over, I'm off.... Mating fireworms (Hermodice carunculata) Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Marie-therese Bertin superbe photo!!!

Stuart Pearce Thanks Marie-therese :)

Claudia Weber-Gebert :D

Mohd Hafiz Ghazali Superb

Stuart Pearce Thank you Mohd :)

Stuart Pearce Todays fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) shot.... Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Claudia Weber-Gebert (Y) we definitely need more...

Marie-therese Bertin superbe photo!!!

Stuart Pearce Thanks Claudia, strangely I think I might just have a few :)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Marie-therese :)

Claudia Weber-Gebert :D ok show us ALL of your fireworms :)

Stuart Pearce Still working my way through them Claudia :)

Stuart Pearce The party begins... Amorous Bearded Fireworms (Hermodice carunculata) Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Gina Bittencourt Linda !!!

Stuart Pearce Thanks Gina :)

Sharon M Elcamp-Uwp OHH ... so nice pic :)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Uwp Sharon :)

Marie-therese Bertin super!!!!

Stuart Pearce Thanks Marie-therese :)

Claudia Weber-Gebert oh , fireworms - what a surprise :D :D :D

Claudia Weber-Gebert lost counting :D but great pic!!!

Stuart Pearce Thanks, Claudia, not like me at all to take fireworm shots LOL :D

Claudia Weber-Gebert :D

Stuart Pearce One of my favourites from this year, tried another edit as shots with blue expanses seem to get really badly affected by compression artefacts. Looking into the eyes of an angry fireworm (Hermodice carunculata).... Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Joaquin Muñoz nice

Stuart Pearce Thank you Joaquin, its worked better but still a lot sharper when not compressed :)

Marie-therese Bertin belle photo!!!

Stuart Pearce Thanks Marie-therese :)

Joaquin Muñoz :) belle photo

Iris Dielhenn really scaring!

Rym Ski Oh my god beatiful

Stuart Pearce Thanks Joaquin, Iris & Rym :)

Stuart Pearce Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata), not that many left to post ;) Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Jonathan Giafferi Nice shot

Stuart Pearce Thanks Jonathan :)

Stuart Pearce Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) basking in the sunbeams... Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Annie Bodar superbe merci

Gina Bittencourt Maravilhosa !!!!!!!!!!

Stuart Pearce Thanks Annie & Gina :)

Marie-therese Bertin super!!

Stuart Pearce Thanks Marie-therese :)

Stuart Pearce And the party went on.... Mating fireworms (Hermodice carunculata) Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Moataz Adel Great photo :D

Joaquin Muñoz nice ;)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Moataz :)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Joaquin :)

Michael Sterken amazing shot! ..and I rarely enjoy seeing photos of orgies!

Stuart Pearce Thanks Michael :)

Odie Paras Amazing..

Stuart Pearce Thanks Odie :)

Ernst Andres AWESOME <3

Stuart Pearce Many thanks Ernst :)

Ernst Andres Well done my friend ! Great (Y)

Stuart Pearce Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata), second attempt at a new watermark for my shots... Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Cameron Easton Think I preferred the previous one Stuart

Stuart Pearce Thanks Cameron, problem was that to make the text big enough to see, the watermark seemed too large. Still playing, can also play with perspectives :)

Tom Hobock wow you never show fire worms Stuart

Stuart Pearce Just felt like a change Tom :)

Tom Hobock New format I don't know who you are Stuart lol :-) <3

Cameron Easton I know what you mean. I found the same thing when I posted some albums after my vacation. I couldn't get any sense of the watermark until I saw it actually on a posted photo (at least the way I was fumbling with Lightroom...!!!). So, trial and (mainly) error was the order of the day(s)

Stuart Pearce Moved the trials onto my homepage Cameron, saves repetition on the group, will be playing for a while yet LOL :)

Odie Paras Sea worms..

Annie Bodar c'est magnifique merci

Stuart Pearce Thanks Annie :)

Ernst Andres :-) :-) :-) <3 :-) :-) :-)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Ernst :)

Stuart Pearce Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata), just trying out a new watermark for my shots LOL :D Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Ron Silver I like it.

Michael Sterken very rich colors! wonderful.

Stuart Pearce Thanks Michael :)

Odie Paras Can't believe it ..under the sea...

Odie Paras Nice shot

Stuart Pearce Thanks Odie, nice critters but have some nasty venom in the bristles if you are ever unfortunate enough to touch one :)

Enzo Vadalà .. wooow!!..Very nice .!

Claudia Weber-Gebert (Y) ..lost counting , but I guess 85????

Stuart Pearce Thanks Enzo :)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Claudia, lost count myself long ago LOL :D

Ernst Andres <3 (Y)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Ernst :)

Ernst Andres You are very welcome my friend Stuart :-)

Gina Bittencourt Very Special !!!!!

Stuart Pearce Thanks Gina :)

Stuart Pearce Nearly forgot the daily fireworm shot.... Mating fireworms (Hermodice carunculata), Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Tom Hobock Worm ouch sex

Tom Hobock lol

Odie Paras Wonderful

Stuart Pearce Thanks Odie :)

Grady Hardin HERD'O WORM!!!!!!!!!!

Grady Hardin Or is it a gaggle?????

Claudia Weber-Gebert 86 ? .... great pic ;)

Stuart Pearce Thanks everyone, you lost count aswell Claudia LOL :D

Claudia Weber-Gebert that's only because I can't count the exact number of fireworms on this pic ;)

Stuart Pearce The party was in full swing by this point :)

Claudia Weber-Gebert :D

Ernst Andres Love parade <3 :-)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Ernst :)

Ernst Andres Good morning my friend :-)

Stuart Pearce A closer look at Hermodice carunculata, the Bearded Fireworm... Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013. (Last on tonight Tom, honest LOL)

Tom Hobock You so funny Stuart

Marie-therese Bertin fantastique!!!

Ernst Andres <3 <3 <3

Stuart Pearce Thanks Tom, Marie-therese & Ernst :)

Claudia Weber-Gebert 89 ... <3

Stuart Pearce Thanks Claudia :)

Stuart Pearce Yet another Hermodice carunculata shot.... 90 to go LOL.. Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Tom Hobock Some one is cheating lol

Marie-therese Bertin waouh ,super!!!

Ernst Andres <3 I love them over and over again <3

Claudia Weber-Gebert 90... ;)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Tom, Marie-therese, Ernst & Claudia :)

Steffen Eidem Nice one! Saw quite a few of these in Curocao, red and green variations of it=)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Steffen, very widespread species in quite a few colour variations :)

Stuart Pearce Another shot of a fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) playing in the barnacles.... Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Ernst Andres <3 <3 <3

Stuart Pearce Thanks Ernst :)

Ernst Andres You are very welcome my friend :-)

Marie-therese Bertin splendide!!!

Stuart Pearce Thanks Marie-therese :)

Annie Bodar fantastique merci

Stuart Pearce Thanks Annie :)

Claudia Weber-Gebert 91... ;) <3

Ernst Andres Hi hi hi hi hi hi hi… :-) :-) :-)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Claudia, keep us right :D

Tom Hobock Stuart your BACK

Galina Maslova Beauty

Stuart Pearce Thanks Galina :)

Stuart Pearce Getting chased by an annoyed fireworm (Hermodice carunculata).... 90ish to go Tom LOL :D Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Joaquin Muñoz LINDO

Tom Hobock Now your back to being Stuart lol Great Shot

Stuart Pearce Thanks Joaquin :)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Tom :)

Antonio Colacino Excellent shot :)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Antonio :)

Claudia Weber-Gebert where are we with counting fireworms Stuart Pearce and Tom Hobock ?? :D

Tom Hobock I've lost count it's not important now,I have good friends to share with

Stuart Pearce Think we are down to 92 Claudia LOL :D

Ernst Andres <3 <3 <3 (Y)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Ernst :)

Ernst Andres :-)

Stuart Pearce This fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) shot does not count Tom, its a re-edit LOL... Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Tom Hobock OK ok OK you Win my FREIND Stuart lol

Stuart Pearce My first ever fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) shot, in its Caribbean colours... Tobago, 2006.

Ernst Andres I love it <3

Christine Schlögl Great picture, but i really don't like them ;P

Stuart Pearce Thanks Ernst, the shot that launched a thousand more LOL :)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Christine, bit of a standing joke on here, me & my fireworm shots :)

Ernst Andres 4 me not

Stuart Pearce Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata)... Now only 98 fireworm shots to go LOL :D Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Ernst Andres Wonderful <3

Claudia Weber-Gebert <3 ...98 to follow .. ;)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Ernst & Claudia :)

Roberto Gruzza Great pic!!!

Willem van der Draaij Hoe many fireworms are there in total ?

Stuart Pearce Thanks Roberto :)

Stuart Pearce Standing joke about the number of fireworm photos I took this year Willem, must have seen about 50 of them and took numerous shots of the mating process aswell :)

Willem van der Draaij LOL, i was joking to ; )

Stuart Pearce Back off...A very annoyed fireworm (Hermodice carunculata)... Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

John Paul Connor Belle

Annie Bodar superbe merci

Stuart Pearce Thanks John :)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Annie :)

Zeynep EroÄŸlu sweety :))))

Stuart Pearce Thanks Zeynep :)

Ernst Andres Always wonderful to see you again <3

Stuart Pearce Thanks Ernst :)

Ernst Andres :-) :-) :-)

Domenico Maiorano Bella foto!

Stuart Pearce Thank you Domenico :)

Stuart Pearce Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata)... Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Ernst Andres <3 i like it <3

Stuart Pearce Thank you Ernst :)

Stuart Pearce Think I may have spent too long with my firey friends this year (Hermodice carunculata), but I did warn you I might before I went LOL... Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Tom Hobock No ouch pro ouch blem Sua ouch rt. lol

Zeynep EroÄŸlu Wonderful creature and nice shot :)) I like it :)))

Stuart Pearce Thanks Tom :)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Zeynep :)

Ernst Andres Beautiful :-)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Ernst :)

Ernst Andres Hello and good morning Stuart :-)

Stuart Pearce Morning my friend :)

Marlyse Gehrig Can't get rid of them ... How many hours did you spend around them UW ?

Stuart Pearce About 3 hours Marlyse :)

Sonja Ooms Just saw my first one this morning. First dive ever in Mediterranean, in Beirut. Did not have my camera with me :-(

Stuart Pearce Usually do not stray far, should be there next time, I always find them in exactly the same place in the lagoon :)

Annie Bodar fantastique merci

Stuart Pearce Thanks Annie :)

Stuart Pearce Up close with a firey friend (Hermodice carunculata)... Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Ernst Andres <3 I love it <3

Stuart Pearce Thanks Ernst, only about 100 more firey friend shots for me to go through from this year LOL :D

Stuart Pearce Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) on the prowl... Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Ernst Andres Beautiful <3

Stuart Pearce Thanks Ernst :)

Stuart Pearce Concentrated more on behavioural shots of Hermodice carunculata this year, but this is a more general shot... Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013

Ernst Andres Beautiful <3

Stuart Pearce Thanks Ernst :)

Marja Malmberg Excellent photo :)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Marja :)

Annie Bodar fantastique merci

Stuart Pearce Thank you Annie :)

Stuart Pearce Never really understood why competitions have rules about no edit, no crop Ayfer, only a personal perspective. Anyway here is an unedited, uncropped shot of Hermodice carunculata from Olu Deniz, Turkey in 2006.

Ernst Andres WOOOW ! Wonderful shot my friend (Y)

Ayfer Uysal Aktürk Really i do not know why? :) Kas is The best dive place in turkey:) do U dive in kas-Antalya ?

Stuart Pearce Just ran it through the basic auto quick fixes in Photoshop Elements & made an approx 20% crop, just personal preference, but I prefer this:

Stuart Pearce Never been to Kas, we are looking at for next year maybe. Have heard the diving is excellent there :)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Ernst :)

Stuart Pearce Once saw someone get an excellent shot thrown out of a competition because it had a crop 5% over what was allowed, left me baffled, thats why I mentioned that I do not understand some competition rules Ayfer :)

Annie Bodar j'adore splendide merci

Stuart Pearce Thanks Annie :)

Stuart Pearce A different view of the Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) Olu Deniz Lagoon, 2013.

Ernst Andres Aaaaaah.....great shot Stuart (Y)

Stuart Pearce Thanks Ernst, do you like its flintstone hat LOL :D

Ernst Andres Jabadabaduuuuuuuuuh :-) :-) :-)

Stuart Pearce Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) Olu Deniz Lagoon, 2013.

Tom Hobock No tanks old friend you dive with them I'll avoid them lol

Ernst Andres (Y) I like this shots <3

Stuart Pearce Thanks Ernst :)

Ernst Andres You´re welcome my friend :-)

Stuart Pearce Hermodice carunculata have 4 simple eyes. Each eye is nothing more than a primitive group of light sensitive cells, these pick up light & movement but not much more.... This was pushing my compact camera to its limits, but the four eye spots can just be seen. Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Dani Barchana here ismy gallery for Hermodice carunculata, I really like them :-) http://www.pbase.com/dani_barchana/glass_worms

Philippe Réal I saw the eyes ;-)

Dani Barchana BTW, we call them Glass worms

Stuart Pearce The name fireworm apparently comes from the irritation felt if you touch one :)

Annie Bodar j'aime merci

Ernst Andres Great shot Stuart :-)

Dani Barchana I found an old picture where you can see the eyes...sorry for the quality, it is a crop from my old camera.

Stuart Pearce Hello there..... Hermodice carunculata meets Palaemon sp. Olu Deniz Lagoon & Nature Reserve, Turkey 2013. Fuji F50FD & manufacturers housing, Sunpak strobe.

Stuart Pearce Only found 2 shots of the Hermodice carunculata moment of sex cell release, this is the preceding shot to the last one posted, focus a bit better on this one :) Olu Deniz Lagoon & Nature Reserve, Turkey 2013

Tom Hobock Yes much better

John Paul Connor interesting

Stuart Pearce Just been through my shots Fabrizio, think this might also be the Hermodice carunculata moment of joy :)

Tom Hobock Very nice Shot

Stuart Pearce Preceding shot coming in a few minutes Tom, better focus :)

Stuart Pearce Another shot from the new batch.... I also seen this grouping behaviour in Hermodice carunculata for the first time this year Fabrizio, for me it always seemed to happen around 4pm as they emerged from their hideaways, what time of day did you notice this occurring? Olu Deniz Lagoon & Nature Reserve, Turkey 2013.

Annie Bodar excellent merci

Miroslava Jurcik what a creature, how big is it ?

Stuart Pearce These ones were about 7 inches, have seen ones about 12 inches+. Its the venom in the bristles you have to watch out for :)

Fabrizio Frixa I can confirm that for me is the first time I look at this phenomenon, my images were taken at 10.00 AM and I have found other aggregations in the following days in other areas of the east coast of Sicily, always in the morning.

Fabrizio Frixa In this picture I am attaching is evidence that the time of emission of sperm. The water temperature 28 °.

Stuart Pearce Where they taken in the last month or so?

Fabrizio Frixa Exactly August 4.

Stuart Pearce Mine were July 24th and 26th, seems we now may know the mating season, never seen this behaviour at any other time of the year :)

Stuart Pearce This is the darker colour variation of Hermodice carunculata often seen in the Med... Olu Deniz Lagoon & Nature Reserve, Turkey 2013

Alessandro Pagano White carpet Nikon D700+Hugyfot case, Nikon 105 AFS, SubSee +10, Subtronic Nova+Subtronic Alpha Pro Macro, Iso 320, 1/320, f32.

YBhg Ivan Choong Shot on slate?

Ken Thongpila Wow! Very cool... how did you do that?

Alessandro Pagano Thank for the appreciation. I used a panel of wuite plexi.

Alessandro Pagano I Hermodice carunculata positioned along the way, then i only had to wait until you walk on the invertebrate.

Ken Thongpila Cool. Thanks Alessandro Pagano for the tips...

Indra Swari W the details are very interesting.

Alessandro Pagano Thanks!

Arnico Lumangyao Cartalla " Look but don´t touch"

John Paul Connor Spectaculaire

Meris Michela what will happend if we touch?

Marine Fin-Atics All those little hairs get in your skin and you can't get them out, they stay there for months irritating and getting infected. Found out by accident :(

Arnico Lumangyao Cartalla sounds like every body found it the hard way

Meris Michela ouchh!! its look hairy n soft...insteed oh spinny

Marine Fin-Atics Yeah, I've got one in my aquarium and moved a rock, didn't want to squish the poor little fella, picked it up to save it.....and the rest has gone down as experience

Meris Michela how big it is?

Arnico Lumangyao Cartalla oppssss

Marine Fin-Atics Around 6 inches is common but like a garden worm they can stretch out a lot.

Meris Michela interesting...i've never seen it before

Stuart Pearce Great shot, one of my little firey friends, Hermodice carunculata :)

Ernst Andres Great macro shot <3

Michael Sterken nope. It doesn't look edible. Great shot. Thanks for sharing!

Santiago Estrada trapped by the coral D60 Nikon micro 85mm ISO 200 f16 1/100 S & S YS17 X 2 M SANTIAGO ESTRADA - Santa Marta - Colombia.

Ron Silver Bearded Fireworm, Hermodice carunculata

Stuart Pearce Not sure this is H.carunculata Ron, body segments too closely spaced, think it might be one of the Chloeia sp. :)

Ernst Andres Very very nice :-)

Ron Silver I certainly would not argue with any guidance from the worm master!

Santiago Estrada Not sure this is H.carunculata floating in midwater and was caught when he played in the coral...

Manfred Mitter does anybody know what that is ?

Tony Strazzari Bearded fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) ? Try touching it ...if it really hurts and your hand swells up then it's definitely one :-)

Manfred Mitter uuhhhh, never seen before - thanks!

Marco Arranz Fire worm

Stuart Pearce Annelid/polychaete, setae too long for H. carunculata, very nice shot :)

Manfred Mitter any comment from Ron Silver ?

Ron Silver A bristle/fire worm, likely Chloeia sp.

Claudia Weber-Gebert ..you know the film "men in black"..... ;-)

Manfred Mitter now we have 2 names :-(

Camarah Brown Omgosh .... only 8000 species to choose from ... wow!! >>> Annelida Class Polychaeta The vast majority of the more than 8,000 known species of polychaete worms are marine; some, however, are found in fresh or brackish water. They are abundant from the intertidal zone to depths of over 16,405 ft (5,000 m). The polychaetes, so named because of the numerous setae (chaetae) they bear, range in length from less than 1/8 in. to more than 9 ft (2 mm to 3 m), but most are from 2 to 4 in. (5â€"10 cm) long. Their colors are often brilliant, and some species are iridescent. The class has usually been divided on the basis of mode of existence into two groups, the errantia and the sedentaria. Read more: Annelida: Class Polychaeta | Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/science/annelida-class-polychaeta.html#ixzz2eoBRhCcP .... google for dummies (points at me)

Stuart Pearce Always get numerous common names, Bristleworms (are Class Polychaeta), Annelida is the Phylum that contains all segmented worms, I agree with Ron that it is likely to be a fireworm, but as he says one of the genus Chloeia, not H. carunculata. All names correct Manfred, all gets very complicated with the invertebrates :) Hope we have helped, Annelids are renowned for being an ID nightmare :)

Camarah Brown I can see why.;-)

Manfred Mitter ok, i´ll call my new friend simply "fireworm" ;-)

Stuart Pearce Could play it safe and call your new friend bristleworm :D

Stuart Pearce Hermodice carunculata have 4 simple eyes. Each eye is nothing more than a primitive group of light sensitive cells, these pick up light & movement but not much more.... This was pushing my compact camera to its limits, but the four eye spots can just be seen. Olu Deniz Lagoon, Turkey 2013.

Dani Barchana here ismy gallery for Hermodice carunculata, I really like them :-) http://www.pbase.com/dani_barchana/glass_worms

Philippe Réal I saw the eyes ;-)

Dani Barchana BTW, we call them Glass worms

Stuart Pearce The name fireworm apparently comes from the irritation felt if you touch one :)

Annie Bodar j'aime merci

Ernst Andres Great shot Stuart :-)

Dani Barchana I found an old picture where you can see the eyes...sorry for the quality, it is a crop from my old camera.

Ilan Lubitz FireWorm (Hermodice carunculata) Anilao Philippines Nikon D3X. 60mm. 2X SB-105

Ron Silver Ilan, could this fire worm be Chloeia fusca? The two parallel longitudinal dark lines on the dorsal surface are diagnostic.

Ilan Lubitz FireWorm (Hermodice carunculata) Anilao Philippines Nikon D3X. 60mm. 2X SB-105

Alessandro Pagano This is not Hermodice carunculata, but Chloeia flava. nice shot!

Ilan Lubitz Tnx for the info =D

Annette Graves Try reefguide on this one, Chloeia flava have a dark spot on each segment (common name - Peacock bristle worm as in the spots on a peacocks display), Chloeia fusca have 2 dark lines on each segment (common name dark lined fireworm). Anyway, have a look, may find it is fusca :)

Ella B. Lubitz Nice picture again..;-

Annette Graves Very nice picture :)

Giorgio Cavallaro Nice (Y)

Ilan Lubitz FireWorm (Hermodice carunculata) Anilao Philippines Nikon D3X. 60mm. 2X SB-105

Ron Silver Ilan, could this fire worm be Chloeia fusca? The two parallel longitudinal dark lines on the dorsal surface are diagnostic.

Marco Paravella Special shot

Ilan Lubitz Ron. it is Chloeia flava. ilan

Annette Graves Lot of wrong ID's on the net, some sites are more reliable than others (but taxonomic keys are the only true reliable source). Try reefguide on this one, flava have a dark spot on each segment (common name - Peacock bristle worm as in the spots on a peacocks display), fusca have 2 dark lines on each segment (common name dark lined fireworm). Anyway, have a look, you may want to rethink telling Ron he has not done a correct ID.

Ella B. Lubitz I'm commenting for the "Picture"itself..A slong as I see it was good shot captivating and atractive no need for me to know the facts of it's origin..Anyway Nobody is Perfect even the "google"..;-) Very Nice Shot Ilan....

Annette Graves It is a beautiful shot, I totally agree Ella, but Ilan is telling a marine biologist with multiple years experience that he has done a wrong ID, when actually all Ron was trying to do was help, his ID was 100% correct and I have tried to explain why, all I have tried to do is point to a website that will explain the differences between the species :)

Ella B. Lubitz Maybe the books were Ilan getting his ID was not updated..He have many references before he write and Post..Actually he tries to be more of help by sharing it here..Thank you for correction ;-)

Ron Silver Diplomacy is not my strong suit, so this is the last comment I will make on this particular post. The most captivating and attractive shot is virtually worthless if it is incorrectly identified. The egos I have encountered on several FB photography pages are truly mind boggling. A big thank you to those who have graciously accepted suggested corrections in the identification of their subjects. Oh, and ignorance is NOT bliss!

Ilan Lubitz FireWorm (Hermodice carunculata) Anilao Philippines Nikon D3X. 60mm. 2X SB-105

Alessandro Pagano This is not Hermodice carunculata, but Chloeia flava. nice shot!

Ilan Lubitz Tnx for the info =D

Annette Graves Try reefguide on this one, Chloeia flava have a dark spot on each segment (common name - Peacock bristle worm as in the spots on a peacocks display), Chloeia fusca have 2 dark lines on each segment (common name dark lined fireworm). Anyway, have a look, may find it is fusca :)

Ella B. Lubitz Nice picture again..;-

Annette Graves Very nice picture :)

Giorgio Cavallaro Nice (Y)

Harvey Buyst Bearded fireworm, Hermodice carunculata. Olympus Epl1, 60mm, f18, 1/160, ISO 200, 2x Sea&Sea YSD1 Strobes.

Harvey Buyst Bearded fireworm, Hermodice carunculata. Olympus Epl1, 60mm, f18, 1/160, ISO 200, 2x Sea&Sea YSD1 Strobes.

Tini Palar amazing

Harvey Buyst Thanks Tini :-)

Harvey Buyst Bearded fireworm, Hermodice carunculata. Olympus Epl1, 60mm, f18, 1/160, ISO 200, 2x Sea&Sea YSD1 Strobes.

Harvey Buyst Bearded fireworm, Hermodice carunculata. Olympus Epl1, 60mm, f18, 1/160, ISO 200, 2x Sea&Sea YSD1 Strobes.

Harvey Buyst Bearded fireworm, Hermodice carunculata. Olympus Epl1, 60mm, f18, 1/160, ISO 200, 2x Sea&Sea YSD1 Strobes.

Harvey Buyst Bearded fireworm, Hermodice carunculata. Olympus Epl1, 60mm, f18, 1/160, ISO 200, 2x Sea&Sea YSD1 Strobes.

Harvey Buyst Bearded fireworm, Hermodice carunculata. Olympus Epl1, 60mm, f18, 1/160, ISO 200, 2x Sea&Sea YSD1 Strobes.

Sylvie Lalane wahouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

Francesco Benedetto Pranzo tra un gruppo di "Hermodice carunculata" - "Umbraculum umbraculum" S.M. la Scala (Acireale) Catania - prof. 16 metri c.a. * Il vermocane (Hermodice carunculata) detto anche "vermecane", "verme cane", "verme di fuoco" o "verme di mare", è un verme marino errante appartenente alla classe dei Policheti. Vive sui fondali marini, soprattutto rocciosi, dei mari tropicali e sub-tropicali, Mediterraneo compreso. Specialmente nei fondali mediterranei si può trovare a basse profondità (a partire da 7 metri circa) nascosto tra gli scogli o rasente ad essi. Si può osservare quasi esclusivamente nelle ore diurne. È dotato di setole urticanti e, se infastidito o anche urtato inavvertitamente, può infliggere dolorosissime irritazioni lanciando gli aghi a uncino verso la minaccia. Si nutre principalmente di sostanze in decomposizione ed altri pesci morti. Non è raro trovarne un gruppetto mentre si nutre di un pesce morto. Se ne trovano sia molto piccoli, di pochi centimetri di lunghezza fino a 30 centimetri. * L'Umbraculum umbraculum o Umbraculum Mediterraneum, e' certamente uno fra i più strani molluschi Opistobranchi presente nei nostri mari, appartiene all’Ordine Notaspidei, molluschi caratterizzati dalle branchie laterali e dalla conchiglia ridotta, molto spesso interna o addirittura assente. Poco conosciuto per via della sua relativa rarità e delle prevalenti abitudini notturne, l’Umbraculum vive abitualmente nell’ambiente del coralligeno, dove abbondano le spugne di cui si nutre, ma frequenta anche i fondali sabbiosi e detritici profondi. Ha una distribuzione molto ampia che comprende l’Oceano Atlantico orientale, il Pacifico e l’Oceano Indiano. Inconfondibile per via dell’aspetto particolare che lo contraddistingue, l’animale presenta un corpo massiccio e bombato con un piede carnoso, largo e diviso nella parte anteriore. Il mantello e' interamente ricoperto da grandi papille arrotondate simili a verruche. Sul dorso ha una conchiglia molto evidente, che ricorda, nella forma, una Patella. La conchiglia, molto piccola rispetto al corpo dell’animale e inadeguata alla sua protezione, è sempre ricoperta di organismi quali alghe, piccole anemoni e spugne. Sotto la conchiglia, nella parte anteriore, si trovano i due rinofori tubolari (altra caratteristica dei Notaspidei), in mezzo ai quali s’intravedono due puntini neri: gli occhi. Ai lati della conchiglia, sul lato destro, sporge una branchia dall’aspetto piumoso. Il corpo può essere di colorazioni diverse, più comunemente è arancione, ma anche nero o marrone chiaro, le verruche sempre più chiare e traslucide. Si riproduce da agosto a marzo con l’emissione di caratteristici nastri gelatinosi spiralati di colore bianco o giallo. Pur essendo un mollusco di grosse dimensioni - può arrivare a venti centimetri di lunghezza - non è per niente facile riuscire ad individuarlo; quando è immobile in una cavità della roccia, con la conchiglia colonizzata da alghe e il corpo ricoperto dalle verruche, risulta perfettamente mimetizzato nell’ambiente. Durante le ore notturne si hanno più possibilità di scovare il nostro amico fuori dal suo rifugio diurno e, se si ha la fortuna di avvistarlo, non lasciatevi sfuggire l’occasione per scattare qualche bella foto, il signore con il cappellino non si concede spesso.

Henrique Nascimento Catarina Hermodice carunculata Madeira - Pedra da Beta 20121026

John Sexton OUCH!!!

Marcelo Silva Muito boa! Parabéns

Henrique Nascimento Catarina Hermodice carunculata Madeira - Pedra da Beta 20121026

Harvey Buyst Bearded fireworm, Hermodice carunculata. Olympus Epl1, 60mm, f18, 1/160, ISO 200, 2x Sea&Sea YSD1 Strobes.

Harvey Buyst Bearded fireworm, Hermodice carunculata. Olympus Epl1, 60mm, f18, 1/160, ISO 200, 2x Sea&Sea YSD1 Strobes.

Harvey Buyst Bearded fireworm, Hermodice carunculata. Olympus Epl1, 60mm, f18, 1/160, ISO 200, 2x Sea&Sea YSD1 Strobes.

Vicky Ruiz de Somocurcio QUE MARAVILLA, BELLISIMO.

Harvey Buyst Thanks Vicky :-)

Harvey Buyst Bearded fireworm, Hermodice carunculata. Olympus Epl1, 60mm, f18, 1/160, ISO 200, 2x Sea&Sea YSD1 Strobes.

Harvey Buyst Bearded fireworm, Hermodice carunculata. Olympus Epl1, 60mm, f18, 1/160, ISO 200, 2x Sea&Sea YSD1 Strobes.

Zé Resende Hermodice carunculata (fireworm) Canon G11, f6.3, 1/250, ISO80, 1xS&S 110a

Javier Herrero Gusano de fuego (Hermodice carunculata) El Hierro,Canary Island,Spain

Harvey Buyst Bearded fireworm, Hermodice carunculata. Olympus Epl1, 60mm, f18, 1/160, ISO 200, 2x Sea&Sea YSD1 Strobes.

Stuart Pearce Nice shot :)

Tom Hobock 98 left

Stuart Pearce Not my shot Tom, I still have 99 left :)

Tom Hobock O-Tay :-)

Odie Paras amazing..nice shot..

Fabrizio Frixa Hermodice carunculata Fireworm Location Timpa di Acireale (CT) Depth 9m

Stuart Pearce Beauty :)

Rosario Scariati Very nice

Ernst Andres <3

Harvey Buyst Bearded fireworm, Hermodice carunculata. Olympus Epl1, 60mm, f18, 1/160, ISO 200, 2x Sea&Sea YSD1 Strobes.

Ilse Merz beautiful

Antonio Colacino A nice shot :)

Stuart Pearce Beauty :)

Annie Bodar j'adore merci superbe

Ernst Andres S U P E R B E (Y)

Harvey Buyst Thanks Ilse, Antonio, Stuart, Annie and Ernst :-)

Harvey Buyst Bearded fireworm, Hermodice carunculata. Olympus Epl1, 60mm, f18, 1/160, ISO 200, 2x Sea&Sea YSD1 Strobes.

Stuart Pearce Beauty :)

Ernst Andres BRAVO (Y) Great shot

Harvey Buyst Thanks Stuart and Ernst :-)

Fabrizio Frixa Predation of Arbacia lixula by a group of Hermodice carunculata. Ionian coast of eastern Sicily S. Maria La Scala fraz. Acireale (CT)

Stuart Pearce Beautiful shot :) , now I will get people liking a picture of me all day, and I will be a fireworm LOL :D

Fabrizio Frixa Stuart Pearce, the predation was determined by holding the victim suspended in the air.

Tamás Elter Congratulations! Great shot about a rare underwater moment...

Stuart Pearce Do you mean revealing the softer more vulnerable underside of the urchin?

Ernst Andres Great shot (Y)

Fabrizio Frixa Exactly Stuart Pearce as well as prevent him from being able to anchor.

Fabrizio Frixa To my new friends underwater photographers, I propose a unique image of a group Hermodice carunculata that these days are lovingly committed to playing. East coast of Sicily

Annie Bodar magnifique merci

Arial Bauman Bearded Fireworm Lauderdale by the Sea, FL Shore dive on the Copenhagen Wreck Sony DSC-HX9V Ikelite housing Camera's macro mode Natural light and nothing more :)

Ron Silver Hermodice carunculata