Photo by Rantje Allen
Photo by William Tan
Photo by Rantje Allen
Photo by William Tan
Photo by Rantje Allen
Schooling bannerfish are a rare sight in Gorontalo. Divers can see these beautiful fish at only two less-dived sites. Trailing white ribbons Like graceful dancers pulling long, white ribbons behind them, Schooling bannerfish are a distinctive addition to any dive site. The adult fish’s white dorsal fin extends past its tail. This looks like a… Continue Reading
Coriocella nigra, or the Black Velutin Snail, so easily hides that divers rarely see it. However, one day this dive season, staff found one during the safety stop. This one was only the second snail we have seen in over twenty years of diving here. Coriocella nigra, a rarely seen snail The Black Velutin Snail… Continue Reading
Longnose filefish are rare inhabitants of Gorontalo’s shallow reefs. But one lucky diver shot a video before they bobbed away. By Many Names The scientific name for this beautiful fish is Oxymonacanthus longirostris. That name means “long nose.” However, the English name is sometimes Orange-spotted filefish. Other times, it is Harlequin filefish. These names reflect… Continue Reading
Funnelweed, though found worldwide, lives in limited locations in Gorontalo. Divers certainly pass by without noticing. But scientists are researching it. Delicate scalloped algae Although funnelweed is a member of the brown algae family, its color here in Gorontalo is not brown. It grows in some sandy patches or substrate among other algae. Its color… Continue Reading
Duncanopsammia peltata or pagoda coral form immense colonies in Gorontalo’s healthy waters. Stunning Pagoda Coral Colonies One of Gorontalo’s ancient and stunning coral formations is pagoda coral. Giant plates form spirals, hence the common name denoting pagodas. The colonies featured in this video measure over four meters across. The video is courtesy of @jhonheriano of… Continue Reading
Dendrodoris tuberculosa rarely appears on Gorontalo’s coral rich dive sites, despite its very large size. After years of absence, in late 2023 divers saw three in the same week! The Frilly Dendrodoris tuberculosa Sometimes called the Tuberculate Dendrodoris nudibranch, it can grow to twenty centimeters in length. Colors range from brown to green to pink.… Continue Reading
Dead nudibranch is rarely seen. But one of our sharp-eyed dive masters spotted one along an unnamed section of coral reef. A Black, Fleshy Mass Miguel’s Diving staff are always looking for marine life to show to our diving guests. They are skilled in spotting small critters, as well as pelagics that swim past divers… Continue Reading
Sargassum frogfish float on surface currents to dive sites in Gorontalo. Our diligent diver masters know how to find them, to the delight of guests. Floating Refuge As their common name implies, Sargassum frogfish hide among sargassum weeds. Although these weeds initially grow along shallow ocean bottoms, storms will rip them up. Then, these weeds… Continue Reading
Estuarine stonefish look like ugly stones on the ocean floor. Moreover, they are buried in sand. Divers often pass this deadly fish without noticing. Lurking Danger Synanceia horrida is scientific name for the Estuarine stonefish. Famous naturalist Carl Linnaeus found it in Ambon, Indonesia in 1766 and gave the fish its “horrifying” name. Most often,… Continue Reading
Flower urchin looks like a lovely ball of trembling flowers. However, those flowers contain highly toxic venom. This sea urchin’s maximum diameter is about 15 centimeters. It lives in areas of sand and rubble along coral reefs. It also inhabits areas of sea grass. Beauty to Avoid Although commonly known as the Flower urchin, the… Continue Reading
