What might this be?

[orangelion03]

Dove from Spectre on the 3rd without my regular buddy, jmdiver, but I was fortunate to meet up with emptyV aka Billy. Dropped anchor at 3 sites off Santa Cruz. We had a pretty good time. The highliight came during our second dive when we sighted a Giant Sea Bass...a first for both of us!! We learned later that there was a pair roaming the site. I took the following picture and was hoping someone may be able to confirm what others thought is small spiny sea cucumber...it was about 3-4" long.

A big THANK YOU to Billy for helping out as my spotter during the one dive I carried my camera, and for being an enthusiastic and competent dive buddy.

Cheers!

Robert

VIVA LA EVOLUCION!!:cwmddd:

 

[Empty V]

I thought you said you couldn't see the LCD screen on your camera? Nice work my friend, excellent pics! I couldn't have picked a better dive buddy!

Billy

 

[scottfiji]

yep, thats the California sea cucumber, Parastichopus californicus. The "spines" are extremely soft, and are called papillae. I'm glad you had a good dive! I was at Farnsworth banks that day.

Scott