Collection: Colors of the Deep Vol. 2

COLORS OF THE DEEP

The depths of the oceans are full of color: it is filled with various colorful creatures and brightly-colored environments. Some of these colorful creatures are unique and have special features which distinguish themselves from each other and even help them in their fight for survival in such a competitive world. 

Colors of the Deep Vol. 2, acrylic on canvas, 2021. Set of 9, each piece 8" X 8" 

Seahorses

Hippocamp Trio, acrylic on canvas, 2021.

There are 46 known species of seahorse, and three species are featured in this painting: the Sindonis seahorse (Hippocampus sindonis, left), the pot-belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis, foreground) and the pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti, top right). The pot-belly seahorse is one of the biggest members of the seahorse family, while the pygmy seahorse is the smallest. The Sindonis seahorse, known for its bright red coloration, is native to waters off Japan. The pygmy seahorse comes in a variety of colors depending on the color of coral they make a living on. They begin their lives dark brown and adopt the color of their chosen coral as they mature.

Cuttlefish

Giant Cuttlefish, acrylic on canvas, 2021.

The Australian giant cuttlefish (Sepia apama) is the world's largest species of cuttlefish. Using special cells on its skin known as chromatophores, cuttlefish can put on spectacular displays, and use these colorful displays to communicate. The mackerel-like fish swimming in the background is the wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri), which is known to sports anglers for its incredible speed.

Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle, acrylic on canvas, 2021.

The hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is one of the seven species of sea turtle. It differs from other turtles by its sharp, curved, hawk-like beak, which it uses to feed on a variety of food such as sea sponges, algae, jellyfish and crustaceans. Its shell slightly changes color based on water temperature. In the picture, the turtle's shell is visited by a group of surgeonfish which clean the shell by picking and eating parasites.

Mandarinfish

Mandarinfish, acrylic on canvas, 2021.

The mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus) is a vividly-colored fish which is named for its resemblance to the uniform of Imperial Chinese Mandarin scholars. It is a popular aquarium fish and can be found throughout the western Pacific Ocean ranging from Japan to Australia. It is one of the only two vertebrate species to have a natural blue color from skin pigments. Below the mandarinfish in the painting is a longhorn cowfish (Lactoria cornuta), a member of the boxfish family known from a pair of horn-like structures above its eyes.  

Hermit Crab

Defensive Hermit, acrylic on canvas, 2021.

Hermit crabs often attach sea anemones onto the shells they live in. This relationship between the unlikely pair is actually a form of mutualism: the anemones are able to find more food as the crab travels, and they in turn provide a front line of defense for the crab. In the picture, the crab encounters a curious octopus which uses its tentacles to taste and feel.

Tasmanian Giant Crab

Tasmanian Giant Crab, acrylic on canvas, 2021.

The Tasmanian giant crab (Pseudocarcinus gigas) is one of the largest crabs in the world, and can be found in the coasts of southern Australia and the island of Tasmania. It is second only to the Japanese spider crab in weight. Two rays are also in the picture: the bentfin devil ray (Mobula thurstoni) and the common torpedo (Torpedo torpedo). A smaller cousin of the manta ray, the bentfin devil ray lives in tropical and temperate oceans worldwide and eats plankton by filter feeding like its gigantic relative. The common torpedo can also be called the eyed electric ray for its ability to generate a strong electric shock.

Butterfly Gurnard

Butterfly Gurnard, acrylic on canvas, 2021.

The butterfly gurnard (Lepidotrigla vanessa) is a member of the gurnards, a family of fish which can be identified for their wing-like pectoral fins. These fins could be used to attract mates, frighten predators and provide stability during swimming. Above this flamboyant-looking fish in the picture is a large group of Portuguese men-of-war (Physalia physalis). Sometimes mistaken for jellyfish, they are actually not jellyfish but a complex organism made from a group of several smaller creatures which are attached to one another in such an extent that they cannot survive independently.

Scorpionfish

Scorpionfishes, acrylic on canvas, 2021.

The scorpionfish family contains some of the most venomous of marine creatures, including the lionfish and the stonefish. In the picture, two species are showcased: the reef stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa) and the plumed scorpionfish (Scorpaena grandicornis). The reef stonefish is the most widespread species of stonefish, and is known to ambush its prey and hide from predators using its camouflage ability. It uses six out of its 13 spines to inject venom as a form of defense. The plumed scorpionfish can be found in the western Atlantic Ocean, along the eastern coast of the American continents.

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whales, acrylic on canvas, 2021.

The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is one of the most graceful of all baleen whales. It can be easily told apart from most other whales for its stocky body, the obvious hump on its back, black dorsal coloring and elongated pectoral fins. It is also one of the most popular species of whale among whale watchers.