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  • Coral spawning, Sangalaki, Kalimantan, Indonesia. The corals are releasing sperm and eggs into the water.
    SANG200605180122.jpg
  • Coral spawning, Sangalaki, Kalimantan, Indonesia. The corals are releasing sperm and eggs into the water.
    SANG200605180108.jpg
  • Spotfin lionfish, Manokwari, West Papua, Indonesia.
    WPAP200511020038.jpg
  • Harlequin shrimp, Manokwari, West Papua, Indonesia.
    WPAP200511020020.jpg
  • Harlequin shrimps, Seraya, Bali, Indonesia. Seraya is located on Bali's NE coast and has become very popular with divers and photographers searching for unusual species.  The signature site, 'Seraya Secrets' has a barren sand floor with small patches of sponge and other encrusting life, and rocks in the shallows. Bali is a very popular holiday destination for divers and offers a wide variety of different types of diving, from reefs and wrecks to mucks sites such as Puri Jati and Gilimanuk.
    BALI200512310297.jpg
  • Devil scorpionfish, Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia. The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200609070526.jpg
  • Ambon scorpionfish, Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia. A small pygmy squid is hiding amongst the tassles of the scorpionfish. The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200609070433.jpg
  • Snake eel with a periclemenes commensal shrimp, Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia. These shrimps feed on parasites and debris removed from the skin of other animals such as snake eels. The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200609070316.jpg
  • Fungid or mushroom coral, Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia. The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200609070313.jpg
  • Thorny oysters are common on steep reefs and walls.  They are filter feeders.  Along the edge of their mantle are simple eyes - the small dots in the photo.  When these detect an approaching threat, the oyster immediately closes. The Komodo National Park is home to the unique Komodo Dragon, but also has some remarkable marine life.  Cold upwellings from the Indian Ocean to the south bring plenty of nutrients, providing food for a spectacular array of different species.
    KOMO200906130040.jpg
  • The 'solar powered' nudibranchs have a symbiotic relaltionship with zooxanthellae that are stored in the cerata and use photosynthesis to generate food for themselves and their host. The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905290010.jpg
  • Bunaken Marine Park is a very popular dive destination, famous for its beautiful coral reefs, marine biodiversity and vertical walls.
    SULA200905210094.jpg
  • Bunaken Marine Park is a very popular dive destination, famous for its beautiful coral reefs, marine biodiversity and vertical walls.
    SULA200905200018.jpg
  • Bunaken Marine Park is a very popular dive destination, famous for its beautiful coral reefs, marine biodiversity and vertical walls.
    SULA200905190111.jpg
  • Like other slugs, pleurobranchs are hermaphrodites, possessing male and female reproductive systems. During mating, individuals swap sperm. Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905140323.jpg
  • Harlequin shrimps feed on starfishes, normally hunting them in pairs. The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905140028.jpg
  • The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905110168.jpg
  • The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905110129.jpg
  • Anemonefish live in an obligate symbiosis with their host - they are unable to survive outside the protection of the anemone. Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905110056.jpg
  • Anemones play host to a variety of different species, all of which shelter amongst the tentacles of their host. in return the fish and crustaceans defend and clean their host. The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905100531.jpg
  • Veined octopus are 'tool-users' - they carry shells and cocnut shells around in the arms, hiding themselves in the shell when threatened. Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905100071.jpg
  • The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905100110.jpg
  • Heart sea urchin, Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia. These fish mimic toxic black-saddled tobies - an example of Batesian mimicry.  The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905080087.jpg
  • Juvenile hairy frogfish 'yawning', Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia. The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905080021.jpg
  • Flamboyant cuttlefish are one of the most beautiful cephalopods, with beautiful markings and colors.  They are typically found crawling across rubble and sand and are capable of changing the texture and color of their skin to match their surroundings.  They feed on small shrimps and fish by rapidly striking out with a pair of feeding tentacles. The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905070018.jpg
  • Ribbon eels are thought ot be sequential hermaphrodites.  The black juveniles develop into males with their characteristic blue colour.  If circumtsances are suitable, a male can change into a golden yellow female. Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905140109.jpg
  • Only recently described, the wonderpus is thought to use its remarkable display to warn away any potential threats, including divers. Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905090362.jpg
  • Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905150159.jpg
  • Pemuteran is located on Bali's NW coast and has become very popular with divers and photographers.  Pemuteran gives easy access to the island of Menjangan, close to Java.  This island is sheltered from the cold currents that flow between Bali and Java and has spectacular vertical walls, healthy coral cover and good visibility. Bali is a very popular holiday destination for divers and offers a wide variety of different types of diving, from reefs and wrecks to mucks sites such as Puri Jati and Gilimanuk.
    BALI200904270196.jpg
  • Tulamben is located on Bali's NE coast and has become very popular with divers and photographers.  The area is famous for the wreck of the USAT Liberty Glo, a WWII era ship that lies just off the beach in Tulamben village.  The areas is also very well known for its high marine biodiversity. Bali is a very popular holiday destination for divers and offers a wide variety of different types of diving, from reefs and wrecks to mucks sites such as Puri Jati and Gilimanuk.
    BALI200904220255.jpg
  • Sailor's eyeballs are comparatively huge, single-celled algae.  This one has been partially overgrown by an encrusting ascidian. The Gili Islands, located just off Lombok's west coast, are a popular tourist destination.  The three islands - Meno, Air and Trawangan - offer many different options for accommodation, eating and nightlife.  The name 'Gili Islands' is something of a misnomer as 'Gili' means 'small island' in the local Sasak language.  The reefs around the islands have some reasonable hard corals and marine life, but have suffered in the past from damage, bleaching events and pollution.  However the islands are still worth visiting and are especially good for student divers.
    LOMB200904140069.jpg
  • Padangbai, on Bali's east coast, is one of the islands most convenient dive spots.  The strong currents that flow between Bali and Lombok produce strong upwellings of cold, nutrient rich water, perfect conditions for marine life and in particular, filter feeders such as sponges and crinoids.  The best dive sites are located around several rocky islands just offshore, but dive operators based in Padangbai also run trips across to Nusa Penida and Lembongan.
    BALI200904110134.jpg
  • Pulau Weh is well known for large numbers of moray eels. The island lies at the most north westerly tip of Indonesia, where the Indian Ocean meets the Andaman Sea.  The deep water and strong currents that sweep past the island provides perfect conditions for both large and small marine species.  The island has active volcanic vents that emit   sulphurous gases and lies close to an active subduction zone.  Pulau Weh lies just off shore from Banda Aceh, the city that was devastated during the 2004 tsunami.  Fortunately, damage on the island was minimal compared to the devestation on the mainland.
    PWEH200904040042-2.jpg
  • Gilimanuk or Secret Bay is located at the north western tip of Bali.  It is open to cold upwellings of water that flow between Bali and Java.  The daily influx of nutrient-rich cold water means this shallow site has become famous for unusual 'muck' critters or species, not easily found elsewhere in Indonesia.  Gilimanuk has become very popular with underwater photographers. Bali is a very popular holiday destination for divers and offers a wide variety of different types of diving, from reefs and wrecks to mucks sites such as Puri Jati and Gilimanuk.
    BALI200904250180.jpg
  • Pipehorses are thought to be intermediate forms between pipefish and seahorses.  These tiny fish are often very highly camouflaged. Puri Jati is located on Bali's north coast.  Its featureless sandy bottom is home to a huge variety of unusual and interesting species known as 'critters' to 'muck' divers and photographers.  Bali is a very popular holiday destination for divers and offers a wide variety of different types of diving, from reefs and wrecks to mucks sites such as Puri Jati and Gilimanuk.
    BALI200904240257.jpg
  • Along with shrimps and anemonefish, porcelain crabs live in a symbiotic relationship with anemones.  Their host provides them with shelter, and in return they clean the surface of the anemone.  In the case of anemonefish, they even defend the anemone from predators. Puri Jati is located on Bali's north coast.  Its featureless sandy bottom is home to a huge variety of unusual and interesting species known as 'critters' to 'muck' divers and photographers.  Bali is a very popular holiday destination for divers and offers a wide variety of different types of diving, from reefs and wrecks to mucks sites such as Puri Jati and Gilimanuk.
    BALI200904240013.jpg
  • Pulau Weh lies at the most north westerly tip of Indonesia, where the Indian Ocean meets the Andaman Sea.  The deep water and strong currents that sweep past the island provides perfect conditions for both large and small marine species.  The island has active volcanic vents that emit   sulphurous gases and lies close to an active subduction zone.  Pulau Weh lies just off shore from Banda Aceh, the city that was devastated during the 2004 tsunami.  Fortunately, damage on the island was minimal compared to the devestation on the mainland.
    PWEH200903310015.jpg
  • The coastal waters of Triton Bay are rich in nutrients washed down from the surrounding hills.  As a result underwater life is dominated by filter feeders such as colorful soft corals and black corals.  Triton Bay is also very well known for its marine biodiversity.  at the southern end of the Bay are healthy coral reefs with plenty of fish life.
    WPAP200903260314.jpg
  • Massive hard corals such as this are often called 'brain' corals due to their resemblance to the surface of the brain.  Each of the small spots is the mouth of an individual polyp, many of which grow together to form a colony.
    WPAP200903270183.jpg
  • Decorator crabs use material from their surroundings to camouflage themselves.
    WPAP200903210220.jpg
  • Like many reef fish, fusiliers use the services of small wrasse at cleaning station.  The cleaner wrasse pick off dead skin and parasites from the surface of the larger fish.  Many fish signal their desire to be cleaned by changing color.  Fusiliers turn a shade of red and display greenish stripes, coloration only normally displayed at night.
    WPAP200903220047.jpg
  • The reefs of Raja Ampat are some of the most diverse and healthiest in the world and new species are discovered every year.  This blenny is commonly found hiding in holes in the coral or rock.
    WPAP200903230113.jpg
  • The reefs of Raja Ampat are some of the most diverse and healthiest in the world and new species are discovered every year.  This blenny is commonly found hiding in holes in the coral or rock.
    WPAP200903230109.jpg
  • The Biorock process was developed by Thomas Goreau and Wolf Hilbertz in the 1970's.  Electricity is used to promote the deposition of calcium carbonate, and to a lesser extent magnesium hydroxide, which build up on the surface of the cathode.  Hard corals quickly bond to this material and the process is thought to accelerate coral growth by up to four times.  The resulting 'reef' of hard coral soon attracts other inhabitants.  Biorock structures - metal frames connected to an electrical supply on the surface - have been used in the Maldives, Bali, PNG, the Seychelles, Japan and the Caribbean, and the process has been touted as a way to rehabilitate reefs in all tropical areas.  However, there is some debate as to the effectiveness of Biorock structures, and it has been suggested that simple wire meshes are just as useful.  By stabilising the rubble substrate of a damaged reef, these meshes have been shown to be more effective at rehabilitating damaged reefs at much less cost. At Pemuteran, many Biorock structures have been installed throughout the bay and tourists can sponsor a coral colony that is placed on a frame, alongside their name spelt out in wire.  The sponsors are sent a yearly photo of their colony so they can watch the coral grow.
    BALI200904300011.jpg
  • Nudibranchs are toxic and use bright warning colors and patterns to warn off potential predators.  They are predators and use their rhinophores as chemical detectors, allowing them to track down their food.
    WPAP200903110068.jpg
  • Juvenile fish often shelter by jellyfish, relying on their hosts stinging tentacles to keep predators at bay.
    WPAP200903090153.jpg
  • Bobtail squids are covered in a sticky coating.  They flip particles of sand over their bodies which stick to their bodies and camouflage the animal against the sand.
    AMBO200903010125.jpg
  • Bobtail squids are covered in a sticky coating.  They flip particles of sand over their bodies which stick to their bodies and camouflage the animal against the sand.
    AMBO200903010123.jpg
  • Coleman shrimps only live on fire urchins.  They remove a section of tissue from the surface of the urchin and take shelter amongst the venomous spines of their host.
    AMBO200902280151.jpg
  • Nudibranchs, or sea slugs, advertise their toxic nature with brightly colored markings and patterns on their skin.
    AMBO200902280017.jpg
  • Octopus, like most cephalopods, are capable of changing teh texture and color of their skin to match that of their surroudings.  They have very acute vision.
    AMBO200902270090.jpg
  • Allied cowries use an mantle of tissue to cover their shell.  This tissue is normally colored and textured to match their home, providing perfect camouflage.
    AMBO200902270004.jpg
  • Juvenile mimic filefish, Yapen, West Papua, Indonesia.
    WPAP200510300076.jpg
  • Large pleurobranch nudibranch, Biak, West Papua, Indonesia.
    WPAP200510300025.jpg
  • Zebra lionfish, Biak, West Papua, Indonesia.
    WPAP200510300024.jpg
  • Diver observing a pair of harlequin shrimps eating a starfish, Seraya, Bali, Indonesia. Seraya is located on Bali's NE coast and has become very popular with divers and photographers searching for unusual species.  The signature site, 'Seraya Secrets' has a barren sand floor with small patches of sponge and other encrusting life, and rocks in the shallows. Bali is a very popular holiday destination for divers and offers a wide variety of different types of diving, from reefs and wrecks to mucks sites such as Puri Jati and Gilimanuk.
    BALI200601030742.jpg
  • Warty frogfish, Seraya, Bali, Indonesia. Seraya is located on Bali's NE coast and has become very popular with divers and photographers searching for unusual species.  The signature site, 'Seraya Secrets' has a barren sand floor with small patches of sponge and other encrusting life, and rocks in the shallows. Bali is a very popular holiday destination for divers and offers a wide variety of different types of diving, from reefs and wrecks to mucks sites such as Puri Jati and Gilimanuk.
    BALI200601020691.jpg
  • Three Trinchesia nudibranchs feeing on hydroids, Seraya, Bali, Indonesia. Seraya is located on Bali's NE coast and has become very popular with divers and photographers searching for unusual species.  The signature site, 'Seraya Secrets' has a barren sand floor with small patches of sponge and other encrusting life, and rocks in the shallows. Bali is a very popular holiday destination for divers and offers a wide variety of different types of diving, from reefs and wrecks to mucks sites such as Puri Jati and Gilimanuk.
    BALI200601020618.jpg
  • A pair of prawns, Seraya, Bali, Indonesia. Seraya is located on Bali's NE coast and has become very popular with divers and photographers searching for unusual species.  The signature site, 'Seraya Secrets' has a barren sand floor with small patches of sponge and other encrusting life, and rocks in the shallows. Bali is a very popular holiday destination for divers and offers a wide variety of different types of diving, from reefs and wrecks to mucks sites such as Puri Jati and Gilimanuk.
    BALI200601010426.jpg
  • Thecacera 'Pikachu' nudibranch, Seraya, Bali, Indonesia. Seraya is located on Bali's NE coast and has become very popular with divers and photographers searching for unusual species.  The signature site, 'Seraya Secrets' has a barren sand floor with small patches of sponge and other encrusting life, and rocks in the shallows. Bali is a very popular holiday destination for divers and offers a wide variety of different types of diving, from reefs and wrecks to mucks sites such as Puri Jati and Gilimanuk.
    BALI200512300826.jpg
  • Pregnant male thorny seahorse, Seraya, Bali, Indonesia. Male seahorses have a pouch in their belly that is used to protect the developing eggs. Seraya is located on Bali's NE coast and has become very popular with divers and photographers searching for unusual species.  The signature site, 'Seraya Secrets' has a barren sand floor with small patches of sponge and other encrusting life, and rocks in the shallows. Bali is a very popular holiday destination for divers and offers a wide variety of different types of diving, from reefs and wrecks to mucks sites such as Puri Jati and Gilimanuk.
    BALI200512300806.jpg
  • Sponge crab without a sponge, Seraya, Bali, Indonesia. Seraya is located on Bali's NE coast and has become very popular with divers and photographers searching for unusual species.  The signature site, 'Seraya Secrets' has a barren sand floor with small patches of sponge and other encrusting life, and rocks in the shallows. Bali is a very popular holiday destination for divers and offers a wide variety of different types of diving, from reefs and wrecks to mucks sites such as Puri Jati and Gilimanuk.
    BALI200512300782.jpg
  • Periclemenes shrimp in anemone, Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia. The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905110030.jpg
  • Octopus hidden with a discarded glass bottle, Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia. Three Ceratosoma nudibranchs gathered to mate, Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia. The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200609070456.jpg
  • Highly camouflaged Ambon scorpionfish, Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia. The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200609070289.jpg
  • Allied cowries have a mantle of tissue that extends over their shell.  This is colored and textured to match the host organism, in this case a seafan. The Komodo National Park is home to the unique Komodo Dragon, but also has some remarkable marine life.  Cold upwellings from the Indian Ocean to the south bring plenty of nutrients, providing food for a spectacular array of different species.
    KOMO200906120048.jpg
  • The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905300013.jpg
  • The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905300006.jpg
  • The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905290123.jpg
  • Bunaken Marine Park is a very popular dive destination, famous for its beautiful coral reefs, marine biodiversity and vertical walls.
    SULA200905210116.jpg
  • Bunaken Marine Park is a very popular dive destination, famous for its beautiful coral reefs, marine biodiversity and vertical walls.
    SULA200905200143.jpg
  • Bunaken Marine Park is a very popular dive destination, famous for its beautiful coral reefs, marine biodiversity and vertical walls.
    SULA200905180082.jpg
  • Bunaken Marine Park is a very popular dive destination, famous for its beautiful coral reefs, marine biodiversity and vertical walls.
    SULA200905180049.jpg
  • Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905150171.jpg
  • The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905150059.jpg
  • The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905150017.jpg
  • Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905140300.jpg
  • Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905140066.jpg
  • The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905120037.jpg
  • The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905120008.jpg
  • Spiny waspfish, Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia. The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905100437.jpg
  • Possibly Sepia smithi.  The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905100348.jpg
  • The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905090089.jpg
  • Veined octopus are 'tool-users' - they carry shells and cocnut shells around in the arms, hiding themselves in the shell when threatened. Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905100075.jpg
  • Veined octopus are 'tool-users' - they carry shells and cocnut shells around in the arms, hiding themselves in the shell when threatened. Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905100073.jpg
  • The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905090579.jpg
  • The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905090493.jpg
  • The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905090477.jpg
  • The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905090443.jpg
  • The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905090401.jpg
  • Several different species of crustacean life in symbiosis with urchins, including the zebra crab.  They all benefit from the protection offered by their hosts spines and in return keep the surface of the urchin clear of debris and parasites. The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905090124.jpg
  • This sole, possibly a banded sole, Soleichthys sp, is thought to mimic a toxic flatworm. The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905090046.jpg
  • Colony of unknown ascidians or sea squirts, Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia. The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905080008.jpg
  • Devil scorpionfish, Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia. These fish have venomous spines along their dorsal surface.  The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905080005.jpg
  • Flamboyant cuttlefish are one of the most beautiful cephalopods, with beautiful markings and colors.  They are typically found crawling across rubble and sand and are capable of changing the texture and color of their skin to match their surroundings.  They feed on small shrimps and fish by rapidly striking out with a pair of feeding tentacles. The Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905070012.jpg
  • Boxer crabs are well known for their mutualistic symbiosis with small anemones that they carry in their claws. Female crabs carry and protect their eggs until they develop and hatch into planktonic larvae. Bunaken Marine Park is a very popular dive destination, famous for its beautiful coral reefs, marine biodiversity and vertical walls.
    SULA200905270048.jpg
  • Ghost pipefish are very well camouflaged.  This red form is very rare and can sometimes be found in areas with lots of red algae. Bunaken Marine Park is a very popular dive destination, famous for its beautiful coral reefs, marine biodiversity and vertical walls.
    SULA200905190081.jpg
  • Pontohi pygmy seahorses have only recently been described.  They were discovered by an Indonesian dive guide in Sulawesi.  Rather than living on sea fans like other species of pygmy seahorse, these minute fish prefer mixed substrates of hydroids and encrusting algae, often in overhangs on current swept rocks. Bunaken Marine Park is a very popular dive destination, famous for its beautiful coral reefs, marine biodiversity and vertical walls.
    SULA200905190009.jpg
  • Estuary seahorses are ofetn found at the mouths of rivers in brackish water.  Lembeh Strait in N Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
    SULA200905150107.jpg
  • Stargazers are ambush predators.  They bury themselves beneath the sand and use a worm-like lure to tempt prey close to their mouths and within striking distance. The Komodo National Park is home to the unique Komodo Dragon, but also has some remarkable marine life.  Cold upwellings from the Indian Ocean to the south bring plenty of nutrients, providing food for a spectacular array of different species.
    KOMOSGAZER1.jpg
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