The Black Long Spine Urchin (Diadema setosum) in its natural habitat

The reefs around Tioman island are full of amazing creatures - it would well reward scuba divers with proper camera equipment (rather than my snorkeling/GoPro shots like this one).

comments (3)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Still enjoying the GoPro shots very much, Barry! The underwater world is a mystery to most of us so any observation is more than welcome. Posted 6 years ago
1. Barry
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks Ferdy, I sometimes feel a bit inhibited when I look at the amazing underwater photographs of some of JungleDragon's other contributors, so it means a lot to me that you are always so positive and welcoming, even to beginners like me. I have only recently started taking underwater photographs and there is really a lot to learn, but I still enjoy being able to identify what I see rather than just thinking, "Wow, look at all the pretty fish"! I find that being able to identify things in the natural world, whether birds, stars, or fish, makes me appreciate the natural world so much more. And, as I have noted before, the fun of sharing pictures with other nature enthusiasts makes me look at living things in the wild in a whole new way. Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    That's the right approach to take, Barry! We're here to share nature with the species observation being absolutely key. Not only is it necessary for major parts of the site to work (species browser), I think it's also the most valuable part at a personal level: to understand what it is we're photographing.
    
    I know very well the feeling of others being steps ahead in photography, in skill and in gear. I've never found that important. Whilst I try to do my best, I don't photograph for photography sake, I photograph nature...for nature.
    
    Plus, keep at it long enough and one will naturally improve, even if it does not feel that way as you keep raising your own bar.
    
    In other words, keep them coming :) Posted 6 years ago

The Black long spine urchin

''Diadema setosum'' is a species of long-spined sea urchin belonging to the family Diadematidae. It is a typical sea urchin, with extremely long, hollow spines that are mildly venomous. ''D. setosum'' differs from other ''Diadema'' with five, characteristic white dots that can be found on its body. The species can be found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, from Australia and Africa to Japan and the Red Sea. Despite being capable of causing painful stings when stepped upon, the urchin is only slightly.. more

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Similar species: Hollow-spined Urchins

Species identified by Barry