Indonesia- Sulawesi-Lembeh Straits- Muck Diving- Fish

We did a lot of staring, swimming and exploring looking for the elusive Frogfish.  Frogfish camouflage themselves by mimicking the fauna on the sea bed.  Frogfish have a small antenna that is used as a lure which they dangle in front of their mouth.   The little fish never see this coming, one moment going for a bite to eat and then they get sucked into the Frogfish's mouth and swallowed whole.   Fortunately for us, Frogfish do not swim or move fast, they slowly saunter around (see video).

Clarks Anemone fish will fight you off when you get close to their eggs or young. I decided to take a selfie instead

Saddleback Anemone fish

Look at them closely my new favorite fish-  Thanks to the aquarium trade they are endangered  and only found at a few Indonesian Islands- Banggai Cardinal Fish

 Banggai Cardinal Fish-   Their body is covered in small white spots 

 Banggai Cardinal Fish

They are capable of hiding among the spines of sea urchins without being stung- Banggai Cardinal Fish

This predator is decked out with venomous spines, he is camouflaged and ready to gulp down his prey of small fish and crustaceans.  Check Spot Scorpion Fish

Another ambush predator that prey on small fishes and crustaceans. They use their large mouths to create a vacuum and suck in and swallow the prey whole.-  Devil Scorpion Fish

Capable of changing colors to blend in, but it takes days to execute this change- Painted Frog Fish

Painted Frog Fish

Fingered Dragonet

The wings enable the fish to take off from the sea bottom and travel faster by ‘flying’ thought the water to escape a predator- Flying Gunard

OHH so small- Juvenile Silver Sweetlips

Juvenile Painted Frog Gish

Painted Frog Fish- It mimics orange sponge- At the moment his lure (antennae) is retracted it is the grey thing above his eyes

Peacock Flounder

Zebra Lion Fish

Video of garden eels, the odd couple (Stingray and flounder), sea cucumber feeding, nudibranchs and listen closely to the grunting reef fish.

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https://alohanoelle.blogspot.com/2019/10/indonesia-sulawesi-lembeh-straits-fish_10.html