Crown of Thorns: No Problem

This weekend’s collection of about 3,000 Crown of Thorn starfish (Acanthaster planci) by diving clubs in North Sulawesi’ Bunakan Marine Park underscores the different marine environment here in Gorontalo. Miguel’s Diving staff sees this ravenous coral eater once or twice a year. Its rarity here and minimal destructive impact to Gorontalo reefs are probably based on the abundance of predators. We have healthy populations of Helmet and Triton trumpet shells (Cassis cornuta and Charonia tritonis), as well as large triggerfish, such as the Yellowmargin Trigger (Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus), all of which eat Crown of Thorns. Those who enjoy diving in various Sulawesi destinations often comment on the quality of Gorontalo’s hard corals. One reason is surely the lack of this thorny problem.

New Dive Site for Next Season: Mini Mount

Pinnacle diving in Sulawesi will jump another notch in November when Miguel?s Diving opens Mini Mount dive site. In March we discovered its existence after hearing reports from local fishermen. Adjacent to our popular Alleyways dive site, this large pinnacle rises from deep water and is separated from the main wall by a sand channel. Barracuda, unicornfish, and Spanish mackerel are easily seen here. Blue ribbon eels like its shallow slopes. The pinnacle?s ocean side drops vertically below safe diving limits. Dense schools of Ambon chromis (Chromis amboninensis) swarm the fields of branching Acropora that edge the mount?s channel side. The coral is in good condition and includes some huge cabbage coral colonies also found in Sulawesi?s Togian (Togean) Islands.

Miguel?s Diving staff has taken a few guests diving here recently since this pinnacle can be accessed from the beach some mornings before the winds begin to blow. Earlier this week Rich from Saigon toured the mount and was impressed by the numbers of fish. So was the dive master who suddenly found himself enveloped in a school of Spanish mackerel! Unique in Sulawesi diving is our multiple pinnacle dive site, Sentinels, also available when diving season reopens in November.

Get the Signal? It's a Goby!

One of Gorontalo?s cuter residents is the Signalfin goby. Growing up to three centimeters in length, this translucent fish has tiny dark spots sprinkled over its body. Its iris is red-brown and a green light shines from its pupil. Its first dorsal fin has matching red-brown markings. Although it sits motionless on the sand near clumps of coral, it is easily noticed because it flicks its dorsal fin up and down. Found in the Western Pacific from Indonesia to Australia, it is quite common on the sandy slopes of our Sentinels dive site where this picture was taken. The Signalfin goby is only profiled in one fish book, the new Reef Fish Identification: Tropical Pacific (Allen, Steene, Humann, Deloach). Although only named in 1988, the scientific community seems split as whether it should be called Coryphopterus signipinnis or Fusigobius signipinnis.

'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.

Portuguese Invasion (Not Euro Cup)

Constant offshore winds during wave season have carried small Portuguese Man-of-War (Physalia physalis) to the shores of Gorontalo. Rarely seen here, this marine creature is actually a colony of four different hydroid polyps, each with a different function in the colony. The most recognizable feature is its translucent, bluish bladder that is filled with nitrogen gas and floats on the ocean’s surface. This serves as a sail, carrying the colony to food sources. The three polyps that hang from the bladder are for paralyzing prey, digesting it by secreting enzymes, and for reproducing. Stings from the man-of-war’s tentacles can be quite dangerous to humans who are allergic. Portuguese Man-of-War are not present in Gorontalo waters during dive season. In fact, the day after we discovered them, the current had already carried them away.

New Dive Site: Japanese Cargo Wreck

Advanced divers who come to Sulawesi for wreck diving can enjoy a Japanese cargo vessel that sank in Gorontalo in 1942. Miguel’s Diving staff discovered this wreck at the beginning of last diving season. This new wreck dive has become a favorite of many, including Gorontalo’s diving governor. Check out our new Japanese Cargo Wreck dive site page where you can see the drawn-to-scale map of the wreck plus underwater photographs taken on site. This is the first of three new dive sites added this past season. Sulawesi diving keeps getting better!

Flathead: Eyes and Grin Only

Last week we discovered several flathead fish at our Alleyways dive site where beach diving is possible. Buried in the sand around one small coral head, the eyes and upturned lips with teeth are the only parts visible. Fanning away some sand only makes the fish wiggle a bit deeper. Identifying which of the many flathead species a particular fish is requires measuring the distance between the eyes. Also helpful is to observe the fish sitting exposed on the sand, something only likely at night when it emerges to hunt. Usually solitary, flathead fish group annually to breed. Perhaps that accounts for their sudden appearance at Alleyways. One was still at the same place today.