15th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Tartan Eyes

Scuba diving at night in Anambas Islands, Indonesia, is like a treasure hunt. At first glance, the reef seems to be devoid of life when most of the larger fish has gone sleep. However, it is also a time when the nocturnal crustaceans and invertebrates come to life. In this picture, a red night shrimp (cinetorhynchus manningi) perches motionlessly on a hard coral. Its eye is made up of hundreds of little eyes, which form an interesting tartan pattern when light is shined on them.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 05.2015
Date Uploaded: 09.2017
Photo Location: Riau Islands, Indonesia
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Copyright: © Mok Wai Hoe