A RARE PADDLE-FLAP!

Liveaboard trip 14/8 – 23/8/09

Bali - Komodo Safari
INDONESIA

Mermaid I

The Paddle-flap Scorpionfish is one of the rare members of the Rhinopias family. Sought after by photographers, a sighting is a very special event. We found a stunning pink specimen at Rinja Island in the Komodo National Park. Like a movie star it posed for us, and didn’t seem to mind the attention. Rather the opposite, as a matter of fact… (next trip, it will probably be wearing sunglasses, and ask us to deal with its agent first!).

Another highlight was the mating Whitetip Reef Sharks at Takat Toko. A pack of eight males were chasing down a large female, biting her gills, pectorals and tail, trying to get their ways with her. A pretty rough affair!

We also had good Manta action, especially at the cleaning stations in South Komodo. 10 - 12 big rays kept moving in to get their morning fix, and we were able to watch the show for almost an hour!

Lots of smaller creatures around as well. At Sangeang Volcano, we found Sawblade Shrimps, Xeno Crabs, Painted Frogfish, Blue Ribbon Eels, Pygmy Seahorses and Indian Walkmans. After a muck dive at Sumbawa, we had to add Thorny Seahorses, Ghost Pipefish, Marbled Snake Eels and Giant Spearing Mantis Shrimps to the list.

A relaxing dive off Moyo Island, with Blacktip Reef Sharks, schools of Longfin Bannerfish, Pink Squat Lobsters and Denise Pygmy Seahorses, ended this Komodo Safari.

PJ Widestrand

Tourleader and Video-Pro
Mermaid I

Liveaboard trips to Thailand, Burma, Bali - Komodo and Andaman Islands.