Daniel Sly, Schooling Striped Catfish (ANIMALS 2026)

On a dark, green-tinged summer dive at Shiprock Aquatic Reserve, I found myself surrounded by a massive school of striped catfish as they poured down the coral wall. I positioned myself beneath their path, letting the swarm wash around me until I was completely engulfed. In the dim light, their striped bodies and countless faces filled the frame, each with its own curious or stern expression

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.