1st Place Blackwater

Steven Kovacs

"Acanthonus Armatus"

Steven Kovacs won  7 nights stay, 18 nitrox dives with garden view villa accommodation. 

The Story: One of the most highly sought after blackwater subjects off the coast of Florida is the incredibly beautiful larva of Acanthonus Armatus.

This fish is a bathypelagic species of cusk-eel found in tropical and sub-tropical waters.  Even though the rather dull looking adults live very deep, the younger developing fish can occasionally be found much shallower and are much more exotic in their appearance with stunning filaments extending from their bodies.  This is likely for the purpose of mimicking other organisms for defensive purposes. 

Location:  Palm Beach, Florida, USA

Equipment Used:  Nikon D500, Nikon 60mm Macro Lens, Ikelite Canon D500 Camera, Dual Ikelite DS-160 Strobes

Camera Settings: 1/250, F22, ISO 320

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