Can you identify the subject of these pictures?

[wwkayaker22]

I took the pictures below in a reef off Key Biscayne, FL, USA in about 45 feet of water. I cannot identify what it is and was hoping someone here could do so. Thoughts???

This is what it looked like when I approached it:


This is what it looked like after a few seconds (it closed up):


Then it opened up again:

 

[redacted]

How about a giant tunicate: Giant Tunicate - Polycarpa spongiabilis - Tunicates - - Tropical Reefs

But you might get more interesting answers if you post this in the pub.

 

[Krenath]

Holy crap! If I'd seen one of those, I might've just walked back to the boat.

 

[Doc]

Divers look at them all the time, but it takes a lot of diving to see them.

Very commonly in the Caribbean they look a bit like human hearts. You don't really see them until they sense the vibrations of your approach and pucker-up. You notice the movement.

Tunicates. You can tune a guitar, you can tune a radio, but you can't tune a kit.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Its called a Sarlacc

 

[Doc]

Its called a Sarlacc

As we look at sci-fi horror movie images, you have to think- the guy who created this has had some u/w naturalist observation time.

The first time I saw an Octopus in the daylight, the critter from Predator came to mind.

 

[wwkayaker22]

As we look at sci-fi horror movie images, you have to think- the guy who created this has had some u/w naturalist observation time.

The first time I saw an Octopus in the daylight, the critter from Predator came to mind.

Indeed:

Giant Tunicate -- Sarlacc - "Return of the Jedi"
Moray Eel -- Internal Mouth, Alien - "Alien" / "Aliens"
Squid -- Admiral Ackbar - "Return of the Jedi"
Lamprey/Wolf Eel -- Sandworm - "Dune"

 

[jgoodstein]

Seriously a Sarlacc? so which came first this species or this one:

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Bah, the original didn't have the stupid cartoon beak








... and Han shot first.

 

[octopuppy]

Dune sand critter