Lembeh 10 Critter Challenge

[BigJeff]

I’ve just returned from some really excellent diving based at Kasawari Lembeh Resort in (you guessed it) Lembeh Straits.
Having now stayed there in January, July, August, September and October I really wonder why people consider the area to have a low and high season (for Lembeh). Critters don’t seem to change and the water temp is nicer in the “low” season.

I’ve stayed with them before, and if you’re interested in some more detail here is a link to an earlier report on a visit to 3 dive centres in the area.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/indonesia/220371-liveaboard-diving-without-boat-trip-report-northern-sulawesi-part-1-2-a.html

As the previous report covered the stays in detail, I won’t go into that here other than to say Kasawari is still my No.1 choice for Lembeh.

While there I saw many critters, both old and brand new to me – so I thought I’d challenge you to identify 10 of them.

No prizes, apart from that warm feeling that comes from participating – and maybe even getting them all right!

Basic ground rules, common names are acceptable except for nudibranchs – but not too common e.g. an octopus has to be a specific type (i.e. “flamboyant octopus”)

Good Luck – and remember I’m not 100% certain on all of them so you may surprise me.


Critter 1

Critter 2

Critter 3

Critter 4

Critter 5

Critter 6

Critter 7

Critter 8

Critter 9

Critter 10

So answers 1 - 10 please?

 

[AngelfishDiver]

Wonderful pictures!

I do love diving in Lembeh too!
I try, but I might be completely wrong !
Tell me !!!

1 Pufferfish, I've seen this one too, but no idea of the specie!

2 Ghost pipefish = solenostomus specie

3 Chromodoris : Hypselodoris iacula

4 Weddy filefish = Chaetoderma penicilligera

5 Horned bumblebee shrimp = Phyllognathia ceratophthalmus

6 Facalinidae family : Phyllodesmium Rudmani

7 Baby Cuttlefish... no idea of the specific type !

8 Coral shrimp = Tozeuma specie

9 Periclimenes colemani

10 Ambon scorpionfish = Pteroidichthys amboinensis

 

[I-NSC]

Sorry, Horned bumble bee shrimp is actually a Tiger Shrimp.

 

[Rickg]

Jeff,

Great pics. Thanks for posting these.

 

[BigJeff]

AngelfishDiver - Very good answers, but I have to be a little tough...

1 Pufferfish, I've seen this one too, but no idea of the specie!
Yes, but what type? 1/2 point
2 Ghost pipefish = solenostomus specie
Yes, but what type? 1/2 point
3 Chromodoris : Hypselodoris iacula
Correct
4 Weddy filefish = Chaetoderma penicilligera
Correct
5 Horned bumblebee shrimp = Phyllognathia ceratophthalmus
Correct (because of the latin), I also think the common name is Tiger shrimp
6 Facalinidae family : Phyllodesmium Rudmani
Correct
7 Baby Cuttlefish... no idea of the specific type !
Yes, but what type? 1/2 point
8 Coral shrimp = Tozeuma specie
Correct (I also have sawblade shrimp)
9 Periclimenes colemani
Correct
10 Ambon scorpionfish = Pteroidichthys amboinensis
Correct

So 8 1/2 out of 10.

You did much better than I would have done without the guide telling me what they were!

 

[AngelfishDiver]

Hi BigJeff

Thanks for the correction!
No, you are not tough, just precise... and I would also like to know the species of critters 1 and 2.

I've seen many of the critter 7, and I think it's the baby of a common cuttle fish such as broadclub cuttlefish (sepia latimanus), but I am not sure

Congratulations for your report and great pictures, excellent quality... I never managed to do so good !

 

[Allison Finch]

The ghost pipefish is the velvet. I don't have my book on me so the latin name is not included.

 

[BigJeff]

Yes! Velvet Ghostpipe

Just leaves No.1 and No.7................

 

[Manuel Sam]

#1 is a juvenile Star Puffer (Arothron stellatus) - per The Tropical Pacific Reef Fish ID book by Allen, Steene, Humann & Deloach.

#7: not even going to try. Cuttlefish are too changeable in texture and color and this juvenile doesn't show any salient features.

 

[BigJeff]

Yes - Juvenile Star Puffer.

So that leaves only the mini-cuttlefish, someone must have the Debelius Cephlapod book?