The Beach School

Found a washed up piece of sea turtle shell with barnacles on it and they are still alive!

We brought it back to our marine tank for observation and as you can see from this video the sensory and feeding limbs of these barnacles are covered with fine feather like hair called 'cirri'. Extending out each time to comb the seawater for plankton and organic particles for food.

Predator and prey in action. Predation of button snails by a moon snail.

See how button snails wriggle away to escape the clutches of a moon snail.

Bladder Moon Snail - Neverita didyma.

It can be found on the seabed with fine sand. This predatory sea snail latch on and bore into the shell of its prey to access the meat. It may look harmless to us but it is feared among marine organisms such as sea snails and bivalves that lives in and on the shallow seabed.

Have you ever seen an Asian Soldier Crab feed?

They filter minute particles of organic matter on the surface of wet sand during low tide.

Red Egg Crab - Atergatis intergerrimus up close.

It is found hiding below coral rubble near rocky shores. Although it is a common crab, not many people have actually seen it. Its carapace is red and is hard to miss, peppered by small dots in a floral pattern which makes it look attractive.

This is a docile crab that is not afraid to be eaten. Its toxicity rivals the pufferfish! It does not belong to the seafood category.

This brings back memories of a Philippino influencer who died of eating a poisonous crab back in 2024 immediately after filming her content.

Toxins cannot be destroyed by cooking. So, please do not go around catching brightly coloured and beautiful crabs to eat. Do yourself a favour and gain some knowledge first. Many marine wildlife have toxins to protect themselves.

Q: Can you hold or touch it?
A: Yes, you can.

Q: Can you eat it?
A: You should know that answer by now.

Video credit: YH Loon

Cryptic Sea Stars - Cryptasterina pentagona in motion from Pulau Sibu.

Note: All specimens collected had been returned to its habitat after closeup observation and filming.

The habitat of a cowrie is in the intertidal zone where rocky seabed and reefs meet. They are actively feeding during the night and easy to find.

Do you know that they are one of a few mollusc species that guards their eggs until they hatch?

Their shells have long been prized for its shiny lustre and was even valued as money long ago.