Chek Jawa
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Seagrass (Halodule uninervis) with a variety of green and black algae (upper left corner)
Some seagrasses look like grasses found on land, but they are not closely related. -
'Zipper' green seaweed (Caulerpa taxifolia) with pink sponges
This seaweed look like zippers with tiny teeth along their edges. They are sometimes plentiful in the coral rubble area. -
Spoon seagrass (Halophila ovalis)
These little spoon-shaped leaves grow out of the sand in pairs. This seagrass is quite common on Chek Jawa. But all seagrasses are listed among the threatened plants of Singapore. -
Sea grass (Halophila sp.)
Seagrasses have veins just like many other land plants. They grow from underground stems (rhizomes). -
A variety of green seaweeds
Seaweeds can take many forms including stringy masses, or net-like shapes. -
Sea grass meadows -
Robust red algae (Solieria robusta)
Some red algae are a source of agar-agar used to make jellies. Some are farmed for a particular substance called carrageenan which is used to stabilise food and medicinal products. -
Fan seaweed (Avrainvillea sp.)
This seaweed has a fan-shaped upper portion that is held on a long stalk which is buried in the sand or attached to a hard surface. It is quite common in the coral rubble area. -
Chek Jawa is home to a wide variety of crustacea. -
Prawn
Prawns and shrimps thrive in the sheltered seagrass beds of Chek Jawa. -
Tiny prawn or shrimp
This one has striking red upper parts. -
Tiny shrimps
These superbly camouflaged shrimps are common on the sandy bottoms. You need to be patient and have a keen eye to spot them. If you stay still for a while, they will come out and go about their amusing business. -
Tiny red shrimp
These tiny shrimps are more commonly seen after dark. Red is a hard colour to make out in the dark, so some shrimps may be red to avoid detection! -
Snapping or Pistol Shrimp (Family Alpheidae)
These shimp have one of their pincers enlarged and a special mechanism at the base of the finger which allows them to make a loud snapping sound. The sound not only stuns potential prey but also warns off predators. -
Snapping or Pistol Shrimp (Family Alpheidae)
Some Snapping Shrimp are surprisingly colourful! -
Hermit crab (Clibanarius sp.)
Hermits are well-known for living in abandoned shells. This is because hermit crabs don't have a hard shell over their abdomens. On Chek Jawa, hermit crabs can get very large. This species come in red, orange and blue -
Hermit crab (Clibanarius sp.)
Hermit crabs have only two pairs of walking legs. The last pairs of legs are reduced and used to hold onto the shell walls. One of the pincers may be enlarged and used to block the shell entrance. -
Hermit crab (Clibanarius sp.)
This Hermit crab's shell is covered with algae and sand, matching the surroundings perfectly! Hermit crabs are scavengers with a very good sense of smell to find decaying plants or animals. -
Hermit crab (Clibanarius sp.)
This is a blue version of the more common red hermit crab. -
Carpet Anemones (Stichodactyla sp.)
Carpet anemones are abundant on Chek Jawa -
Carpet anemone (Stichodactyla sp.)
Carpet anemones are among the largest of sea anemones! They have short tentacles that make them appear carpet-like. -
Carpet Anemone (Stichodactyla sp.)
Carpet anemones harbour symbiotic algae called zooxanthallae in their tentacles. The algae carry out photosynthesis and share the food they produce with the anemone. In return, the anemone provides protection and nutrients. It is the algae that give the different colours to Carpet anemones. -
Carpet anemone (Stichodactyla sp.)
A carpet anemone looks much like a mushroom. It has a large oral disk covered with tentacles, with a mouth in the centre. Below, buried in the ground, is a thick cylindrical body column that ends in a pedal disk to anchor the animal down. -
Carpet anemone (Stichodactyla sp.)
At high tide, carpet anemones unfurl fully and can take on beautiful flowery shapes. -
Carpet anemone (Stichodactyla sp.)
Carpet anemones can survive for a short time out of water.