This lionfish was resting at the brim of Seventh heaven Thila's reef. Located in the South Ari Atoll of the Maldives, it usually features strong currents and so lionfish sometimes perch between the rocks and corals to hide from the current.

Triggered
While diving in the Maldives I had the opportunity to get very close to this titan triggerfish
Sony a6600

Nebrius ferrugineus (tawny nurseshark). (f/6.3, 1/160, ISO-100, 25mm). - Erik

Nebrius ferrugineus (Tawny nurseshark) in front of a jetty. (f/6.3, 1/160, ISO-100, 25mm). - Erik

These Maldive anemonefish (Amphiprion nigripes) were at the very edge of my freediving breath hold. I took several shots of them, and each time I would have to immediately swim back up to take a breath before coming back for the next shot.

I liked this shot showing a contrast of a relaxing turtle against a busy background of fish swimming.
I shot this with dual strobes but also using a larger aperture to highlight the background scene

Manta birostris and gold trevally

Galeocerdo cuvier (Tiger shark). (f/7.1, 1/160, ISO-200, 14mm). - Els

While drift diving a shallow reef, this 2 meter Honeycomb Moray Eel came out of a crevasse near South Ari Atoll, Maldives.

Epinephelus spilotoceps (foursaddle grouper). (f/8, 1/80, ISO-200, 42mm). - Els

"Ghost Crab, I see you too" - I came across this Ghost Crab while walking on a deserted beach in the Maldives. I was truly amazed at the beautiful muted colors of this crab. Though timid, the crab stayed long enough for me to snap this picture.

Nebrius ferrugineus (Tawny nurseshark). (f/6.3, 1/160, ISO-100, 22mm). - Erik

Oxycirrhites typus (longnose hawkfish). (f/5.6, 1/80, ISO-200, 42mm). - Els

Nebrius ferrugineus (Tawny nurse shark). (f/13, 1/60, ISO-200, 14mm). - Els

Thor amboinensis (Squat shrimp). (f/9, 1/100, ISO-640, 50mm, UCL-165). - Erik

Grey reef from below.

Jenkin whipray

Hanifaru Bay and the Mantas

Solenostomus paradoxus (Ornate ghost pipefish). (f/7.1, 1/100, ISO-1600, 50mm). - Erik

Odontodactylus brevirostris (shortnose mantis shrimp) ensured us entertainment on a boring shark watching ridge. Good to work with wet lenses. (f/8, 1/160, ISO-640, 50mm, UCL-165). - Erik

Galeocerdo cuvier (tiger shark). (f/7.1, 1/160, ISO-200, 14mm). - Els

Ecsenius bicolor (Two-colour blenny). (f/9, 1/160, ISO-500, 50mm). - Erik

Peek-a-boo

Galeocerdo cuvier (tiger shark) at Fuvahmullah. (f/7.1, 1/80, ISO-100, 33mm, only natural light). - Erik

The Nurse Shark Couple - monochrome "Nebrius ferrugineus"

Up close to a spotty dotty Seastar

It was towards the end of a dive, when this tiger shark emerged from the blue and swam straight through our group totally unphased. For me, this depicts ocean connectivity through immersing in a deep blue bond. Taken in Fuvahmulah, Maldives.
Shortlisted!