Three Dozen Lionfish

The Alleyways dive site here in Gorontalo is known for its lionfish dens.
But while diving there the other day, I counted 36 lionfish! Also, countless Durban hinge-beak shrimp (Rhynchocinetes durbanensis) overran one coral head. This spur-and-groove dive site had visibility of at least 25 meters. The giant toes of the coral slope were clearly visible far down in the sand channel below. At one point I noticed a line of murky water below me and swam down to see what creature of the deep had disturbed the sand. Not so! It was a very cold upwelling, so I returned to the 30-degree C (86 F) water of the reef above. Fish were out in abundance, especially the parrotfish. A herd of huge Bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) included six juveniles. During the dive, I added three fish species new to the list for this dive site. I also saw what possibly is a new species of wrasse (Pseudocoris sp.). This large wrasse is distinctive with smurf-blue lips and nose patch. This is the third dive site where it occurs in Gorontalo. It does not appear in the comprehensive Fish Base listing.

Are you interested in coming to Sulawesi and diving Gorontalo to photograph new species like this? Or just see the dozens of lionfish?