Anemonefish Eggs: Look Them in the Eyes

Diving in Gorontalo never ceases to amaze guests of Miguel's Diving. The other day our dive master spotted a Clark's anemonefish fanning a large patch of mature eggs in order to aerate them. Unlike the reddish eggs of Saddleback anemonefish, these are golden green. The photo shows the pair of eyes in each egg and sometimes an open mouth! Individual eggs are about the size of a pinhead. Click on the photo to see a large version of the photo.

Today, however, the highlight was on the larger size: a pod of 12 Risso's dolphin, 9 Bumphead parrotfish, 1 White-spotted eagle ray, 1 Hawksbill turtle and 3 species of tuna!

Shocking surprise

While out looking for a new muck site, Miguel's Diving staff came across a Spiny devilfish (Inimicus didactylus). Although not as venomous as the deadly stonefish, devilfish will give anything touching its venomous spines a nasty shock. Devilfish are not only camouflaged but also like to stay semi-buried in the sand. This is one more reason for good buoyancy skills and for staying off the substrate! This one started opening its pectoral fins in warning as divers approached to inspect something else. This species is identified by its spectacular banded pectoral fins. It also crawls around on pelvic fingers. With bulging eyes and pitted face, this very ugly fish was perhaps flattered by all the flashes going off. Rarely seen because of their secretive nature, this is only the third one sighted in Gorontalo in five years.