Dive the world's richest reefs...
Marine Life |
|
|
|
The marine biodiversity of the Coral Triangle, and especially of the Bird's Head Seascape, is staggering.
Together with Cendrawasih and Triton Bay, Raja Ampat forms the Bird's Head Seascape and is located in the very heart of the Coral Triangle. Scientists have confirmed this area to be the epicenter of global marine biodiversity. With the highest coral reef biodiversity for any area this size in the world, scientists consider these the world’s richest reefs, home to 75% of all known coral species and more than 1500 species of reef fish. New species are discovered continuously. The Bird's Head Seascape also has the greatest extent of mangrove forests and sea grass beds in the world, which support juvenile fish and Dugongs. The large area and astonishing range of habitats and environmental conditions play a major role in maintaining the huge biodiversity. Here you can find the world's largest Pacific Leatherback Turtle nesting beaches, but also nesting sites for Green, Olive Ridley and Hawksbill Turtles. |
Raja Ampat's biodiversity
|
|
"I feel privileged to have 'discovered' this special place relatively late in my career, providing a rare opportunity to compare it with the numerous locations I have dived around the globe.
There is absolutely nothing else that compares! Our surveys reveal that this region is the richest on the planet for reef fishes. The Raja Ampat islands are situated in the midst of a 'biological crossroad' and the result of this is a lavishly rich reef fish fauna that has no equal. There is no better place that I could recommend for underwater photographers and reef fish afficionados. The Raja Ampat islands boast an impressive array of fish inhabitants unsurpassed by any other area of similar size. There is also growing evidence that the region is also a hot-spot for reef fish endemism, in other words there are a host of species confined to this area and found nowhere else. The survey results have generated considerable international publicity and focused attention on the area's unparalleled marine biodiversity. There are few places on earth where pristine rain forest is abruptly bordered by amazingly rich coral reefs." - Dr. Gerald Allen, Ichthyologist |
Meet Raja Ampat's endemic and typical species
So far, scientists have recorded more than 35 endemic fish, eight endemic Mantis Shrimp and over ten endemic coral species, which are only found in the Bird's Head Area. Raja Ampat even has its very own endemic Walking Shark! If you are lucky, you can also find rare animals like the Blueringed Octopus, Wonderpus, Manta Rays or Mandarin Fish here.
Endemic Raja Ampat Walking Shark(Hemiscyllium freycineti)
The Raja Ampat Walking Shark belongs to the family of the Bamboo Sharks and is a nocturnal species. It is common in shallow reef and sea grass beds throughout Raja Ampat. You can spot them during a night dive at our house reef or sometimes even from the restaurant.
Walking Sharks feed on molluscs and crustaceans hiding in the sand. Therefore, their sense of smell is well developed, and they have flat crushing teeth to easily crack the shells of the prey. Rather than swimming, Walking Sharks often walk over the seabed on their fins. In an emergency, this is how they escape from dried up pools. |
|
Endemic Tasseled Wobbegong Shark(Eudrossorhinus dasypogon)
You will find this species of Carpet Shark on many dive sites here in Raja Ampat and if you're lucky, even at our house reef. As its name says, the Carpet Shark is strongly flattened and usually lies still on the ocean floor, waiting for prey. When opening its mouth rapidly, the Wobbegong creates a vacuum and prey is sucked in.
Wobbegongs are ovoviviparous: the female incubates eggs in its womb, but the baby sharks hatch inside the uterus and are then born alive. |
Giant ClamsIn the waters of Raja Ampat and especially at our house reef, you will find several species of Giant Clams. These animals evolved millions of years ago and some species are said to reach an age of up to 200 years.
The Giant Clams mostly live in shallow waters, because their symbiotic partners need a lot of sunlight to do photosynthesis. Due to over-fishing, the Giant Clams are becoming rare. At our house reef, they have a protected habitat. |
|
Pygmy SeahorsesThere are currently seven described species of Pygmy Seahorses. You can find four of them here in Raja Ampat . The Bargibant's Pygmy Seahorse lives only on one species of sea fan and matches its color and appearance perfectly. The Denis Pygmy Seahorse also spends its life on sea fans, but accepts different species as well. The Satomi Pygmy Seahorse is the world's smallest seahorse and does not live on sea fans, but is free-living. It is nocturnal and very active in the dark. The Pontohi Pygmy Seahorse is also a free-living species and not associated with gorgonians.
|
Signal Gobies(Signigobius biocellatus)
Signal Gobies belong to one of the largest families of fish comprising more than 2’000 species. Here in Raja Ampat, these little fish occur at every dive site and it is really worth taking some time to observe their interesting behaviour!
|
|
Electric Clam(Ctenoides ales)
The Electric or Disco Clam is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the central Indo-Pacific region.
Research showed, that the apparent flashing light display of this clam is not a bioluminescent phenomenon, but is instead coming from reflection of the ambient light. The clam has a highly reflective tissue on the outer edge of its mantle that is exposed and then hidden again. The quick change from the red tissue to the white reflective tissue creates the appearance of flashing. |
SweetlipsYou can often observe these beautiful fish at our house reef. They like to school with conspecifics and are rather shy. Juveniles look very different from adults and also show different behaviours: they are solitary and mimic the undulating movement of poisonous flatworms in order to protect themselves.
|
|
|
BarracudasThere are currently 28 recognized species of Barracudas which can be found in all oceans of the world. In Raja Ampat, you will mostly spot Blackfin or Pickhandle Barracudas. Juveniles often swim in large schools, while adults of big species also live solitarily.
Barracudas have teeth facing forward and backward to make it almost impossible for prey to escape from their mouths. |
Ghost PipefishThe Ornate Ghost Pipefish is often found near feather stars, while other species mimic sea grass, leaves or algae. Their body is covered with hard plates, so it is difficult for predators to swallow them.
Most species have a relatively long period spent floating in the ocean as plankton, reaching almost adult length before they finally settle onto a reef. |
|
|
BatfishYou can usually find a school of juvenile Batfish hanging around our jetty. They look very different from adults. Depending on the species they mimic floating leaves, poisonous flatworms or feather stars.
|
Bumphead Parrotfish(Bolbometopon muricatum)
Bumpheads are the biggest species of all Parrotfish.
They like to swim with conspecifics of all ages in large schools. Bumpheads have a life span of up to 40 years, are slow-growing, and become reproductively active at a late stage. Bumpheads return to the same resting place every night where they sleep in groups. |
|