Diving @ Mabul Island part 2

The first few dives in Mabul were ok, average. Things started to get interesting from the 5th dive onward with many new sightings. Here's some photos taken by the 4 of us, we took turns to shoot underwater. 

Clown fish (aka anemonefish) is a joy to shoot, because they will stay in an corals and not swim away when you approach them. The corals themselves also form a beautiful natural frame for the fish. And thanks to Instagram for their surreal filter effects! Clown fish is made popular by the movie Finding Nemo, a computer-animated movie about the adventures of a clown fish ....so much so that some people call them the Nemo fish! 

Photo by Nadia

Encountered many puffer fishes of different species and sizes. See if you can tell me what species they are from. These fishes are the 2nd most poisonous vertebrates in the world, but is a delicacy in Japan, Korea and China. East Asians eat anything and everything, especially if they are from the sea. Of course the poisonous parts are removed before cooking. 

A pair of Moorish Idols, one of my favourite "big" fish underwater. This fish got its name from the Moors of Africa, who believed they are a bringer of happiness. I certainly hope so! 

Photo by Nadia

This is a Flying Gurnard, doesn't really fly but it spreads its pectoral fins when swimming, making them look like they are flying. Looks awesome! 

I think this is a mantis shrimp, but I could be wrong.

Photo by Nadia

Spiny seahorse. Looks just like the ones I saw at Manado. 

Pipefish. These long slender creatures are mostly found on sandy bottoms. 

 

The Black and White Ocellaris Clownfish, easily distinguished from their black bodies and 3 white stripes. However their juveniles have a more brownish body, as seen in the photos here. 

Photo by Nadia 

Ooh, orang-utan crabs! I thought they are known as hairy crabs, but if you google hairy crabs you will probably get many hits about a Chinese cuisine. And yes those are bubble corals. 

Photo by Sham

Bluespotted stingray, my favourite grilled seafood, haha!  

Photo by Gek Fong

Don't know what fishes they are, do you?

Photos by Sham

 I'm so intrigued by this, it has a head like a dragon and beautiful fins. The rest of the body is almost fully camouflaged with the sandy surrounding.

Mandarinfish! Supposed to be bright coloured although the colours don't come out vibrantly here. 

Photo by Gek Fong

Juvenile moray eel.

Photo by Gek Fong

Glass shrimps. These shrimps are so tiny and transparent that it's so hard to spot them. Thanks to our DM Aza, he showed them to us.

Nudibranch? Sea slug? Animal or plant? The marine biodiversity is just so mind boggling!

Photos by Nadia