Photo by Rantje Allen
Photo by William Tan
Photo by Rantje Allen
Photo by William Tan
Photo by Rantje Allen
Risso’s Dolphins thrive in the deep waters off Gorontalo’s southern shores. One day, we spotted a large, active pod. Using a drone, we watched as they sunbathed, played, and possibly mated. Ghostly Apparitions Risso’s Dolphins (Grampus griseus) are a distinctive species of dolphin. They are born gray but become whiter with age. The older one… Continue Reading
Redlined Jorunna nudibranchs made a rare appearance in Gorontalo. During the required safety stop, divers hovered over a patch of sandy rubble as they rested for three minutes. Looking at the sandy bottom, they discovered a cluster of black Long-spined sea urchins, several shy pipefish, and sea stars. Then, in the gentle surge, they noticed… Continue Reading
Alligator pipefish are rarely seen, despite their size. Even more remarkable is to follow one as it searches for something to eat. Yet that happened one day in Gorontalo – and we have the video to prove it! A Mangrove Seed or a Blade of Grass The Alligator pipefish (Syngnathoides biaculeatus) has a long, slender… Continue Reading
Striped Barracuda schools on Gorontalo’s shallow reef flats. Smaller and more cautious than its larger relatives, this species dazzles with its streamlined body. How to Identify Striped Barracuda In contrast to other barracuda species, the Striped Barracuda is smaller, reaching about 55 cm in length. Also, its body features two thin, dark horizontal stripes running… Continue Reading
Phyllidia elegans is a dorid nudibranch found occasionally on Gorontalo’s coral reefs. Oftentimes, divers see it among rubble. We call it the Elegant wart slug. The Showy Peaks of Phyllidia elegans This elegant wart slug has distinctive whitish to pinkish protrusions. These are called tubercles. They look like snowy mountain peaks. A few tops of… Continue Reading
Razorfish and shrimpfish swim in synchronized groups. Typically, they keep their noses down. They are a graceful sight for divers to enjoy. Distinctive behavior & appearance These fishes look like flattened razors. Their bodies are light in color with a dark body line. This line reaches from their long noses all the way to the… Continue Reading
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
