'Tis Not the Season

Miguel?s Diving staff braved two to three meter swells to do a quick fish survey at the Japanese Cargo Wreck for the web site. A total of 122 fish species have been recorded from the wreck up to the coral wall and basin above it. The area is only about 100 meters long. In addition to the usual suspects like our new and endemic species, yesterday?s survey turned up a few surprises. A pair of rare and totally black Midnight Angelfish (Centropyge nox) hid near the anchor. While ?oo?ing and ?ah?ing over yet another Orangutan crab (Achaeus japonicus), the dive master was inundated by a large school of Scissortail fusiliers (Caesio caerulaurea), seen here for the first time.

Although the White-belly damsel (Amblyglyphidodon leucogaster) is quite common in Gorontalo, we were only able to confirm its identity today. It is found from north Sumatra in Indonesia west to the Great Barrier Reef. Another distinct, blue-eyed damsel common at this site does not appear in fish books. Blackspot cardinalfish (Archamia melasma) form dense congregations among coral at the top of the eastern pinnacle that overlooks the wreck. This fish with the ?beard? is currently known only from Papua New Guinea to Australia. Underwater photographers and fish enthusiasts are sure to have fun in Gorontalo when dive season resumes in November. In the mean time, take a look at the partial species list for this new dive site.