Wakatobi’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Purple hairy squat lobster (Lauriea siagiani)|Diving the wall at Wakatobi|||||||||||||||||
Purple hairy squat lobster (Lauriea siagiani)|Divers dropping down one of the many wall dive sites at Wakatobi.|Flase clown anemonefish with their host anemone.|Pair of porcelain crabs (Family Porcellanidae).|Harlequin Crab (Lissocarcinus laevis)|White spot anemone shrimp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis) also called a Peacock-tail anemone shrimp.|Scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)
Divers dropping down one of the many wall dive sites at Wakatobi.
Divers dropping down one of the many wall dive sites at Wakatobi.

Small things are a big attraction at Wakatobi.

Wakatobi's pristine reefs are home to an astounding collection of diminutive and colorful forms of marine life, much to the delight of critter spotters and macro photography enthusiasts.

Click Here to read more about some of Wakatobi's top dive sites

Wakatobi's dive guides are experts at finding and pointing out these tiny treasures, but you can do some pretty productive critter spotting on your own — you just need to know where to look.

Nemo's Roommates

False clown anemonefish with their host anemone.
Flase clown anemonefish with their host anemone.

Locate a sea anemone and you'll probably run into some of Nemo's cohabiting cousins. After you snap some requisite portraits of these colourful clown fish, linger a bit and take a closer look among the undulating tentacles.

Pair of porcelain crabs (Family Porcellanidae) on the same anemone.
Pair of porcelain crabs (Family Porcellanidae) on an anemone.

While you are most likely will find a porcelain crab (Family Porcellanidae) or two, you just might happen upon a Harlequin Crab (Lissocarcinus laevis) as well going about searching for food scraps from its host's leftover dinner.

Harlequin Crab (Lissocarcinus laevis)
Harlequin Crab (Lissocarcinus laevis)

In exchange for free meals and the protection the anemone's tentacles provide, these crabs also provide the valuable service of removing excess mucus and dead tissue from the anemone's body.

And then there are the shrimp. Anemones host a colourful collection of cryptic crustaceans. You've got your white-spot anemone shrimp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis) which also goes by magnificent anemone shrimp, peacock-tail shrimp, and clown anemone shrimp, and the beautiful but unfortunately named Scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis), just to name a few.

White spot anemone shrimp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis) also called a Peacock-tail anemone shrimp.
White spot anemone shrimp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis) also called a Peacock-tail anemone shrimp.
Scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis), also called a scarlet Lady and scarlet striped cleaner shrimp.
Scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis), also called a scarlet Lady and scarlet striped cleaner shrimp.
Squat Shrimp (Thor amboinensis)
A Squat Shrimp (Thor amboinensis) also called a Sexy Shrimp as they often wave the tails.

A favourite find is the sexy anemone shrimp (Thor amboinensis) – so named for the suggestive swaying of its tail to mimic the undulating action of the anemone's tentacles. 

Fan Favorites 

Sea Fans are a ubiquitous sight on Wakatobi walls and outer reef slopes. These flattened soft corals extend branching networks of polyps to harvest a smorgasbord of current-driven plankton. And they aren't the only ones waiting to enjoy this moving feast of tiny snacks. Sea fans are the place to find some of Wakatobi's most magnificent miniatures – the pygmy sea horses. These little guys are so good at hiding that they remained unknown to science until just a few years ago.

Bargibant pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti)
Bargibant pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti)
Pontoh's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus pontohi)
Pontoh's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus pontohi)

To date, there are seven known species of pygmy sea horses in the ocean, five of which can be found on the sea fans of Wakatobi. It takes a keen eye to locate a pygmy, and they often grow no larger than a human fingernail and sport excellent camouflage that helps them blend with their host. The good news is that pygmies stay close to home and may spend their entire life on the same sea fan. Just ask a dive guide for help, and they can likely direct you to the right branch.

Perpetual Motion Predators

Sea fans clusters are a favourite haunt of the longnose hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus). The distinctive red-and-white crosshatch patterning of this keen-eyed little predator makes it a favourite subject for underwater photographers. Though they can grow to sizes of three to four inches, hawkfish can be difficult to spot, as their color pattern blends perfectly with the tangling branches of a red or orange gorgonian. Keep looking, because it won't take long for a hawkfish to give its position away.

Longnose hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus) can be found on sea fans and black coral trees.
Longnose hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus) can be found on sea fans and black coral trees.

Unlike most ambush predators, the hawkfish is a hunter that is constantly on the move, often pausing for just a brief interval before repositioning to the next spot in an ongoing search for prey. One successful strategy for observing and photographing a hawkfish is to stake out the fish's last-known position and wait. Hawkfish have a habit of returning to favorite ambush points on a regular basis, and that's when you can grab the shot. Just don't try to get to close, or it will be gone in an instant. 

Wired In

You may need to dive a bit deeper to see a sea whip goby (Genus: Bryaninops), as they are found almost exclusively on a type of black wire coral that prefers a bit of depth. So not only will you be searching in lower light, you will be looking for a small and often stationary fish that is nearly invisible. Sea whip gobies have translucent bodies that filter ambient light to match the color of their surroundings, and their torso sports horizontal bars that mimic the protruding polyps of their coral perch. Additional adaptations include gills set low on the underside of the body for minimal visibility, pelvic fins shaped like suckers to hold on to their host and big eyes to spot any potential meal drifting by.

Sea whip goby (Genus: Bryaninops features some 16 different species)
Sea whip goby (Genus: Bryaninops features some 16 different species)

Once you do locate a sea whip goby, you may end up in a game of hide-and-seek. Their sharp eyesight will alert them to your approach, at which point they will probably move to the far side of their branch to avoid detection. This game may go on for some time as they dart about to keep the branch between themselves and any bubble-slowing intruder. You may have better luck during a night dive, as they tend to move about a bit less after dark. Once you've found one goby, look for another, because these fish often form mating pairs. When these fish are in parenting mode, they will lay a clutch of eggs on a dead portion of the coral, and one of the parents will stand watch. Find the eggs and you'll likely find the gobies as well. 

Barrels With Hair

One small find at Wakatobi that won't require a lot of looking is the pink hairy squat lobster (Lauriea siagiani), aka fairy crab. This small crustacean – which is technically neither a lobster nor a crab — sets up house in a giant barrel sponge. Find a sponge, look on its underside, and you'll likely locate one of these dainty creatures.  Just be sure to move in slow, as they may go into hiding in the presence of a perceived threat. 

Purple hairy squat lobsters (Lauriea siagiani) are a common resident of large barrel sponges.
Purple hairy squat lobsters (Lauriea siagiani) are a common resident of large barrel sponges.

There are actually a number of species of squat lobster you can find at Wakatobi, but it is the pink hairy ones that are the photogenic favourites. Their semi-translucent body armour takes on a pearl-like glow in the light, while the delicate nature of its body is further accentuated by a coat of fine white hair, which is more than ornamental. Pink hairy squat lobsters are plankton feeders, and that hair coat collects drifting morsels, which are then groomed from the protruding filaments to make a meal. 

Close kin to the hairy’ sqaut lobster, the crinoid crab is actually another variety of squat lobster belonging to the genius Allogalathea.
Close kin to the hairy’ sqaut lobster, the crinoid crab is actually another variety of squat lobster belonging to the genius Allogalathea.

When scoping out the barrel sponges for hairy squat lobsters, don’t forget to check out the crinoids are often perched around the top. Down around where the crinoid affixes themselves to the sponge, is a close kin of the hairy’s, the crinoid crab which is another variety of squat lobster belonging to the genius Allogalathea. The fascinating trait of these little crustaceans is their body coloration often closely match that of their host to allow them to blend in. 

This is just a sample of the fantastic and fascinating marine life you can discover at Wakatobi, where divers and snorkellers enjoy exclusive access to one of the world's best-protected and most bio-diverse coral reef ecosystems.Learn more about Wakatobi’s Fantastic Beasts on their blog Wakatobi Flow

Click Here for more information on Wakatobi Dive Resort

@timpell49
#AskMark Mark great video love your content I recently had my cylinder hydro tested it was filled with air how long can you keep the air in the cylinder before you use it .Also dive shop can drain the air and fill with nitrox?
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@timpell49
#AskMark Mark great video love your content I recently had my cylinder hydro tested it was filled with air how long can you keep the air in the cylinder before you use it .Also dive shop can drain the air and fill with nitrox?
#scuba #scubadiving #scubadiver

Become a fan: https://www.scubadivermag.com/join

GEAR PURCHASES: https://www.scubadivermag.com/affiliate/dive-gear

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Website: https://www.godivingshow.com ➡️ The Only Dive Show in the United Kingdom
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We partner with https://www.scuba.com and https://www.mikesdivestore.com for all your gear essentials. Consider using the affiliate link above to support the channel.

The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training or recommendations for every manufacturer. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor or specific requirements from equipment manufacturers.

YouTube Video UEw2X2VCMS1KYWdWbXFQSGV1YW84WVRHb2pFNkl3WlRSZS41ODI2RjhGOTVBODI2NDE5

How Long Can You Keep Air in a Cylinder? #AskMark #scubadiving

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00:00 Introduction
01:35 Scuba.com Ad
02:35 Duikvaker
03:15 EUDI
04:23 DRT
05:04 GO Diving Show UK
06:24 ADEX OZTek
07:06 Mediterranean
07:34 ADEX
08:21 TDEX
08:51 Scuba Show
09:36 MIDE
10:06 GO Diving ANZ
11:09 Diving Talks
11:58 DEMA

Full List of Dive Shows with Links:
https://divernet.com/scuba-diving/your-worldwide-dive-show-guide-for-2025/

JANUARY 18-26: Boot Düsseldorf (International Boat Show)
FEBRUARY 1-2: Duikvaker
FEBRUARY 21-23: European Dive Show (EUDI)
FEBRUARY 21-23: Diving Resort Travel (DRT) Show, Malaysia
MARCH 1-2: GO Diving Show (The UK Dive Show)
MARCH 15-16: ADEX Ocean Festival / OZTek Australia
MARCH 28-30: Mediterranean Diving Show
APRIL 4-6: Asia Dive Expo (ADEX)
MAY 22-25: Thailand Dive Expo (TDEX)
MAY 31 – JUNE 1: Scuba Show
JUNE 13-15: Malaysia International Dive Expo (MIDE)
SEPTEMBER 6-7: GO Diving ANZ Show
OCTOBER 17-19: Diving Talks
NOVEMBER 11-14: DEMA Show

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Website: https://www.divernet.com ➡️ Scuba News, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Travel Reports
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We partner with https://www.scuba.com and https://www.mikesdivestore.com for all your gear essentials. Consider using the affiliate link above to support the channel.

The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training or recommendations for every manufacturer. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor or specific requirements from equipment manufacturers.
00:00 Introduction
01:35 Scuba.com Ad
02:35 Duikvaker
03:15 EUDI
04:23 DRT
05:04 GO Diving Show UK
06:24 ADEX OZTek
07:06 Mediterranean
07:34 ADEX
08:21 TDEX
08:51 Scuba Show
09:36 MIDE
10:06 GO Diving ANZ
11:09 Diving Talks
11:58 DEMA

YouTube Video UEw2X2VCMS1KYWdWbXFQSGV1YW84WVRHb2pFNkl3WlRSZS43OTNDNTk0OUNGMDA1MUNG

Upcoming Dive Shows in 2025 #scubadiving #diveshow

US diver Barrington Scott has set a verified Guinness World Record for the fastest time to scuba dive across all seven continents.Cartagena City Council says it is preparing to tighten access to the Cueva del Agua (Water Cave) system in southern Spain, following the death of a 37-year-old female diver there on 18 January. And an underwater habitat builder has just extended the record for longest time spent submerged. 

https://divernet.com/scuba-news/scuba-dash-across-7-continents-brings-world-record/
https://divernet.com/scuba-news/health-safety/spanish-cave-divers-death-prompts-calls-for-controls/ 
https://www.kentucky.com/news/nation-world/national/article299289964.html
https://divernet.com/scuba-news/pod-builder-completes-120-days-under-sea/

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OUR WEBSITES

Website: https://www.scubadivermag.com ➡️ Scuba Diving, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Scuba Gear Reviews
Website: https://www.divernet.com ➡️ Scuba News, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Travel Reports
Website: https://www.godivingshow.com ➡️ The Only Dive Show in the United Kingdom
Website: https://www.rorkmedia.com ➡️ For advertising within our brands
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We partner with https://www.scuba.com and https://www.mikesdivestore.com for all your gear essentials. Consider using the affiliate link above to support the channel.

The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training or recommendations for every manufacturer. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor or specific requirements from equipment manufacturers.

US diver Barrington Scott has set a verified Guinness World Record for the fastest time to scuba dive across all seven continents.Cartagena City Council says it is preparing to tighten access to the Cueva del Agua (Water Cave) system in southern Spain, following the death of a 37-year-old female diver there on 18 January. And an underwater habitat builder has just extended the record for longest time spent submerged.

https://divernet.com/scuba-news/scuba-dash-across-7-continents-brings-world-record/
https://divernet.com/scuba-news/health-safety/spanish-cave-divers-death-prompts-calls-for-controls/
https://www.kentucky.com/news/nation-world/national/article299289964.html
https://divernet.com/scuba-news/pod-builder-completes-120-days-under-sea/

#scuba #scubadiving #scubadiver

Become a fan: https://www.scubadivermag.com/join

GEAR PURCHASES: https://www.scubadivermag.com/affiliate/dive-gear

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Website: https://www.scubadivermag.com ➡️ Scuba Diving, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Scuba Gear Reviews
Website: https://www.divernet.com ➡️ Scuba News, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Travel Reports
Website: https://www.godivingshow.com ➡️ The Only Dive Show in the United Kingdom
Website: https://www.rorkmedia.com ➡️ For advertising within our brands
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/scubadivermag
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We partner with https://www.scuba.com and https://www.mikesdivestore.com for all your gear essentials. Consider using the affiliate link above to support the channel.

The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training or recommendations for every manufacturer. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor or specific requirements from equipment manufacturers.

YouTube Video UEw2X2VCMS1KYWdWbXFQSGV1YW84WVRHb2pFNkl3WlRSZS4yNkZBOTQyMkYxQkQyMzc2

Spanish Cave Closed After Fatality #scuba #podcast #news

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Karen Lynn Stearns
Karen Lynn Stearns
1 year ago

Excellent!

paul d moliken
paul d moliken
1 year ago

Never saw a harlequin crab, but I have seen all the others during my stays at Wakatobi.

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