Recently in Marine Life Category

Cary Yanny has had a week of diving delights in the lovely Lembeh and shares them here...we know you'd much rather be in the water yourself but until you can join us, enjoy the video!

"This week has been simply amazing in the Lembeh Strait. We've seen Hairy octopus, Mantis shrimp complete with eggs, Crocodile fish, Hairy frogfish, Pygmy seahorse, Mimic octopus, Morays, Shrimps, Pufferfish and Flamboyant Cuttlefish."

This is the second year that our friends Ned and Anna will be offering their brilliantly educational and entertaining workshops at Eco Divers Resort Lembeh.

Taking part is absolutely free as Ned and Anna offer the workshops purely out of their desire to share their love of the underwater world with as many other people as possible.

Read how you can join in and enjoy some fantastic diving with two of the most interesting and experienced people on the planet.

Here are some of our critter encounters from 1st half of August 2011:

Peacock Mantis Shrimp, Thorny Seahorse, Juvenile Barramundi Grouper, Black Ribbon Eel, Dragon Sea Moth, Leaf Fish, Wonderpus, Cockatoo Waspfish, Decorator Crab, Cowfish, Poison Ocellate Octopus, Hermit Crab, Devilfish, Pygmy Seahorse, Fingered Dragonet, Jawfish, Cowry, Blenny, Frogfish, Sea Snake, Zebra Crab



Critter Focus: Poison Ocellate Octopus


Poison Ocellate Octopus (Amphioctopus siamensis) is relatively small, arms are up to 25cm in length and has an orange tan. When disturbed they display a white background with bold reddish brown stripes that run the length of its body and arms plus a single blue ring underneath each eye. They are most active during the day and can normally be found on shallow rubble and sandy bottoms.


This photo was taken by Christian using our rental Nikon D200 (Nikon 50mm lens, Scubacam snoot, 1/125s, f14, ISO200) which you can hire from 'The Digital Centre', whilst diving at either of our dive centres at Kima Bajo or at Lembeh Cottages.

Some of our critter encounters from 2nd half of July 2011:

Butterflyfish, Scorpionfish, Leaf Fish, Lionfish, Zebra Batfish, Ghost Pipefish, Long Arm Octopus, Waspfish, Crinoid Shrimp, Flatworm, Moray Eel, Catfish, Orange Frogfish, Ribbon Eel, Banggai Cardinalfish, Devilfish, Mimic Octopus, Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Squid, Thorny Seahorse


Critter Focus:  Flatworm



Flatworm (Phylum Platyhelminthes) are the most primitive animals and can range from 2.5cm to 12.5cm. Mostly they are found under rocks and in dark recesses but on the rare occasion they are found swimming in open water as shown in this photo.



This photo was taken by Christian using our rental Canon S95 camera, which you can hire from 'The Digital Centre', whilst diving at either of our dive centres at Manado or at Lembeh Strait.

This great picture of not one but TWO Pigmy Seahorses take the 'Photo of the week winner' this week.

Well done Debbie Moffit for taking such a great picture, go on be honest did you even see the second one? :o)

Some of our critter encounters from 1st half of July 2011:

Leaf Fish, Sea Moth, Sweetlips, Mimic Octopus, Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Ambon Scorpionfish, Flying Gurnard,  Lionfish, Waspfish, Yellow Frogfish, Nudibranchs, Lembeh Velvetfish, Ornate Ghost Pipefish, Devil Scorpionfish, Boxfish, Hermit Crab, Sand Diver, Flathead, Spiny Lobster, Stargazer, Pygmy Seahorse, Emperor Shrimp, Electric Clam, Tozeuma Shrimp, Bobbit Worm, Elbow Crab, Bobtail Squid


Critter Focus:  Frogfish


Frogfish (Antennariidae) are also known as anglerfish as they have a lure protruding from just above their snout which they wiggle energetically, like a fishing rod, to attract their prey. Their pectoral and ventral fins have evolved into webbed 'feet' and 'hands' which they use to 'walk' and perch on coral trying to blend into their environment. As you can see from this photo sometimes they aren't very successful at 'blending in'!!!


This photo was taken by Lou using our rental Canon S95 camera, which you can hire from 'The Digital Centre', whilst diving at either of our dive centres at Kima Bajo or at Lembeh Cottages.

Some of our critter encounters from 2nd half of June 2011:

Long Arm Octopus, Ambon Scorpionfish, Nudibranchs, Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Batfish, Fingered Dragonet, Pipefish, Robust Ghost Pipefish, Cleaner Shrimp, Jawfish, Banggai Cardinalfish, Coral Cat Shark, Harlequin Sweetlips, Anemone Shrimp, Harlequin Shrimp, Mimic Octopus, Ribbon Eel, Leaf Fish, Carry Crab, Devilfish, Seahorse, Pegasus Sea Moth, Yellow Pygmy Seahorse, Goby, Mantis Shrimp, Slipper Lobster, Stargazer


Critter Focus:  Robust Ghost Pipefish



Robust Ghost Pipefish (Solenostomus cyanopterus) have elongated bodies, long tubular snouts, long narrow dorsal fins and fan-like ventral & tail fins. They are usually solitary animals but can also be found in pairs as seen in this photo.




This photo was taken by Lou using our rental Canon S95 camera, which you can hire from 'The Digital Centre', whilst diving at either of our dive centres at Kima Bajo or at Lembeh Cottages.

Some of our critter encounters from 1st half of June 2011:

Cuttlefish, Aaron Crab, Leaf Fish, Cowry, Mandarin Fish, Ghost Pipefish, Hairy Squat Lobster, Carry Crab, Tiger Mantis Shrimp, Blenny, Juvenile Boxfish, Ribbon Eel, Pinnate Batfish, Winged Pipefish, Jawfish, Pegasus Sea Moth, Stargazer, Coconut Octopus, Tozeuma Shrimp, Mimic Octopus, Electric Clam, Frogfish, Zebra Crab, Fingered Dragonet, Ambon Scorpionfish


Critter Focus:  Coconut Octopus


Coconut Octopus (Amphioctopus marginatus) can grow so their arms are up 30cm in length. They tend to be quite active during the day but are also very often found buried beneath the sand. The adults generally protect their bodies by hiding in shells or coconut halves hence where they get their common name from.



This photo was taken by Christian using our rental Canon S95 camera, which you can hire from 'The Digital Centre', whilst diving at either of our dive centres at Kima Bajo or at Lembeh Cottages.

Here are some of our critter encounters from 2nd half of May 2011:

Sea Snake, Jawfish, Banggai Cardinalfish, Barramundi, Goatfish, Anemone Shrimp, Porcelain Crab, Mandarin Fish, Goby, Rounded Porcupinefish, Mimic Octopus, Founder, Brown Seahorse, Goby, Free swimming Moray Eel, Pygmy Seahorse, Nudibranchs, Squid, Hermit Crab, Blenny, Bannerfish, Cowry


Rounded Porcupinefish (Cyclichthys orbicularis) is also known as Orbicular Burrfish. They are common in the Asia Pacific region but are also quite secretive. They are usually found hiding under coral heads or inside tin cans as seen in this photo. They are one of the smallest of their family only growing up to 15-20cm in length but have one of the biggest eyes in relation to their body size. 



This photo was taken by Christian using our rental Canon S95 camera, which you can hire from 'The Digital Centre', whilst diving at either of our dive centres at Kima Bajo or at Lembeh Cottages.

Some of our critter encounters from 1st half of May 2011:

Halimeda Ghost Pipefish, Three Seamoths, Mandarin Fish, Mimic Octopus, Yellow Seahorse, Goby, Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Electric Clam, Spiny Devilfish, Pygmy Seahorse, Spider Crab, Winged Pipefish, Nudibranchs, Hermit Crab, Coral Shrimp, Jawfish, Blenny, Snake Eel


Critter Focus:  Spiny Devilfish




Spiny Devilfish (Inimicus didactylus) have upturned snouts and round bulging eyes set on top of the head. They are usually solitary animals but also can be found in pairs amongst the silt, rubble and sand of 'muck' dive sites.





This photo was taken by Christian using our rental Canon S95 camera, which you can hire from 'The Digital Centre', whilst diving at either of our dive centres at Kima Bajo or at Lembeh Cottages.