Mandarin Slope

[Dan]

During a diving trip in Banda Sea with Pindito in last week of November 2022, we had a chance to do a muck dive in Mandarin Slope, Bandaneira to see Mandarin Fish, Frogfish, Cuttlefish and more, as shown in the video.

 

[scubadada]

Great video @Dan

 

[Luko]

I remember these mandarins in front of the Hotel that belonged to the late Des Alwi, the "King of Banda" (The hotel is probably a ruin by now, Two years after he died it was already run down).
They were the fattest and shyless mandarin fish I had ever seen, don't need to go at sunset nor even take a dive equipment they were so big you could see them snorkeling from the surface even in the full afternoon sun.

 

[Dan]

I remember these mandarins in front of the Hotel that belonged to the late Des Alwi, the "King of Banda" (The hotel is probably a ruin by now, Two years after he died it was already run down).
They were the fattest and shyless mandarin fish I had ever seen, don't need to go at sunset nor even take a dive equipment they were so big you could see them snorkeling from the surface even in the full afternoon sun.

You are right about the site and shy less Mandarin fish.

I just came back from Malapascua. The Mandarin fish in Lighthouse site were very shy. At dusk, the minute you shine a light on them, they vanish.

 

[living4experiences]

Wow! Excellent video!

 

[Dan]

My video light may have prevented the mating ritual. If you notice at time 2:57 to 3:00, after the female left the scene, the male of Mandarin fish ended up jerking his sperms off for 3 seconds

 

[Dan]

I remember these mandarins in front of the Hotel that belonged to the late Des Alwi, the "King of Banda" (The hotel is probably a ruin by now, Two years after he died it was already run down).

The hotel still looks OK & operating when I was there a month ago. I think it’s called The Nutmeg Tree – Hotel and Dive

 

[Dado]

Great video. I like how you put the species names on the video.

 

[Dan]

Great video. I like how you put the species names on the video.

Thanks!

I finally able to video the Mandarin fish mating ritual (which happens everyday at dusk), while I was in Malapascua, Philippines, last month.

Mandarin Mating

Dove in Lighthouse, Malapascua, Philippines, in December, 2022 and saw this cool Mandarin fish mating rituals at dusk.

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