Colorful marine creature … or a phonetic hint to the circled letters in 17-, 23-, 35- and 48-Across

Unmasking the Mystery: Colorful Marine Creature & Phonetic Clue

Calling all crossword enthusiasts! Today’s puzzle presents a unique challenge: a clue that hides a double meaning, offering a colorful marine creature as a direct answer, and a phonetic hint for the circled letters across the grid.

Think back to those vibrant creatures you’ve encountered in your underwater explorations – the ones that paint the ocean floor with their dazzling hues. What creature best embodies a colorful marine life experience?

Now, let’s delve into the second layer of the clue.

The circled letters in 17-, 23-, 35-, and 48-Across provide a phonetic link to the colorful marine creature. It’s like a secret code, a puzzle within a puzzle.

Ready to crack the code? Start by identifying the circled letters, and then consider how they sound. What word, when spoken aloud, resembles that phonetic combination?

This intriguing clue demands a blend of visual and auditory observation. Don’t be discouraged if the answer doesn’t immediately come to mind. Dive into the depths of your knowledge, and remember to consider the unexpected.

Happy solving!

Colorful marine creature … or a phonetic hint to the circled letters in 17-, 23-, 35- and 48-Across

Available Answers:

SEA ANEMONE.

Last seen on the crossword puzzle: NY Times Crossword 15 Jul 24, Monday