Shocking surprise

While out looking for a new muck site, Miguel’s Diving staff came across a Spiny devilfish (Inimicus didactylus). Although not as venomous as the deadly stonefish, devilfish will give anything touching its venomous spines a nasty shock. Devilfish are not only camouflaged but also like to stay semi-buried in the sand. This is one more reason for good buoyancy skills and for staying off the substrate! This one started opening its pectoral fins in warning as divers approached to inspect something else. This species is identified by its spectacular banded pectoral fins. It also crawls around on pelvic fingers. With bulging eyes and pitted face, this very ugly fish was perhaps flattered by all the flashes going off. Rarely seen because of their secretive nature, this is only the third one sighted in Gorontalo in five years.