Keep the Wakatobi experience alive after you return home or build excitement for your
upcoming adventure. Visit this page for regular reports from Wakatobi dive staff on recent marine life
sightings.
Report by Britta (May 2009 Trip 15)
It was only a seven days trip, but it was an extraordinary one! Most of the time, I tell you about all
the little creatures we spotted during a trip. Besides that, I almost forget about the great scenery,
the pristine reefs and the amazing atmosphere - which makes Wakatobi so special for all of us too!
We were pleased to have Aaron Wong from Singapore with us on this trip, who took some incredible shots,
as you can see below. Thank you Aaron for your slide show!
Furthermore, there are of course interesting stories about critters and creatures: At our beautiful House
Reef we found a Yellow spotted Pipefish (Corythoichthys polynotatus). This species belongs to the same
scientific family as seahorses (family Syngnathidae). They are similar in appearance to seahorses, with
small fins, rigid bodies, and rough skin texture. Typically found foraging near the bottom around sheltered
reefs among coral rubble, weed or seagrass, pipefish are long and slender like a sea snake, though
comparatively small. Like common seahorses, pipefish are ovoviviparous (young pipefish develops within eggs
that remain within the father's body up until they hatch or are about to hatch) and the male carries the eggs
in a brood pouch which is found under the tail.
Looking forward to see all of you soon, thank you for the great time!
See all of Aaron's Photos in a Slide Show - CLICK HERE!
Xenon Crab - Xenocarcinus tuberculatus
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Porcelain Crab - Neopetrolisthes oshimai
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Report by Britta (May 2009 Trip 13)
The weather was simply perfect, and it was impossible to get bored diving at Wakatobi this week! At Teluk Maya, a
Broadclub Cuttlefish (Sepia latimanus) was laying eggs right in front of us. The eggs of this cuttlefish are white
and perfectly rounded, just like ping pong balls. The soon we thought we had enough excitement for one dive site,
a black Giant Frogfish (Antennarius commersoni) caught the eye of one of our expert guides. Hanging out his antenna
for possible prey, he seemed almost invisible amongst the sponges and corals. Just one day later a Manta Ray
(Manta birostris) with a size of approximately 4m "flew" by at Turkey Beach!
Then, along came Pockets... and the parade of the camouflaged snails. These ovulid snails are almost perfect in
their adaption of texture and colour to various Fans and Soft Corals. The two cowries which can be found on whip
corals, Aclyvolva sp. and Phenacovolva sp., are able to retract their "polyps" into their skeleton - so does the
cryptic cowrie Prosimnia semperi, that was practically indistinguishable from the corals. These rare and gorgeous
sightings built the fulminate finish of another great trip. Come and see the wonders of Wakatobi :
All Photos below by Wakatobi guest Sacha Brown www.brownbeard.com
Allied Cowrie - Primovula sp.
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Leaf Scorpionfish - Taenianotus triacanthus
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Halimeda Ghostpipefish - Solenostomus halimeda
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Tubastrea micrantha
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Organ Utan Crab - Achaeus japonicus
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Winged Pipefish - Halicampus mactorhynchus
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