Dory & the Devil

This week one of the stars of Finding Nemo made her appearance. Yes, we saw Dory! Although quite common in western Gorontalo, only a single Palette surgeonfish (Paracanthurus hepatus) has been found on all the dive sites that Miguel’s offers. Dory turned up about a month ago as a baby hiding among an Acropora coral at the reef crest and about the size of a coin. We found her again still hiding, but having grown to about five centimeters.

Also making its come back was a devil ray (Mobula sp.). Last month these manta-like rays made some spectacular appearances here in Gorontalo. During our surface interval after encountering Dory, a meter-long devil ray splashed out of the water near the dive boat in full view of the guests. It jumped out of the water three times on its way out of a small bay.