K2 Lembeh Dive Resort
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101 Critters of Lembeh
Entry #1 Rhinopias frondosa – Weedy Scorpionfish
The elusive Rhinopias frondosa!
This extremely rare and charismatic critter is known as the Weedy Scorpionfish, we simply call it Rhinopias, because of its seaweed-like skin protrusions. This camouflages it so well that many divers could simply swim pass it!
It hunts stealthily as an ambush predator, devouring prey with lightning speed when the prey approaches too closely.
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The Rhinopias is a coveted subject for many underwater photographers!
Entry #2 Amphioctopus Siamensis – Mototi Octopus
The extremely venomous Mototi Octopus!
This tiny octopus packs a big punch — it flashes its twin bright blue rings when threatened! Despite its small size, it carries potent venom, making it one of Lembeh’s most beautiful but could be dangerous when approached too close.
Entry #3 Stenopus hispidus - Banded Cleaner Shrimp
Tiny Spa Therapist!
Stenopus hispidus, better known as the banded coral shrimp or cleaner shrimp, is the ocean’s tiny spa therapist!
With its bold red-and-white stripes and long, elegant antennae, it sets up “cleaning stations” on coral reefs, where fish line up patiently to have parasites and dead skin gently plucked off. Despite its delicate looks, this shrimp can be quite territorial—especially with others of its kind—and will fiercely guard its little patch of reef. It’s both a beauty and a boss of the underwater world!
Entry #4 Janolus savinkini – Purple-tipped Janolus
Purple colour explosion!
The nudibranch is part of a group of fascinating critters with almost infinite variation and so so very colorful! This Janolus nudibranch has numerous cerata (finge-like appendages) and this one has the wonderful purple coloration at the tips of these cerata! What a beautiful sight!
The Cerata are parts of the critter's digestive gland and respiratory system.
Entry #5 Ablabys taenianotus - Cockatoo Waspfish
Every leaf may be a fish
It looked just another bit of leaf debris moving gracefully, leaf like still, from its location! Right there, the Cockatoo Waspfish in perfect disguise! Its jagged fins and tilted head gave it that unmistakable “cockatoo” attitude, like it was unimpressed by my discovery. Then, with a slow, dramatic lift, it drifted off like a fallen leaf caught in the tide — pure underwater theater from one of the ocean’s best impostors!
Entry #6 Euprymna berryi - Bobtail Squid
Disappearing Act
During a night dive while hovering over the sand a tiny sparkle caught my light! Looking closer, I spotted a little bobtail squid, its jeweled skin gleaming like starlight. Then, as if realizing it had been seen, it started burrowing — comically using its little tentacles to frantically flip sand over its head in a desperate attempt to hide. Within seconds, only a pair of twinkling eyes remained, peeking out before sinking away completely — a perfect disappearing act from one of the ocean’s most enchanting tricksters.
Entry #7 Odontodactylus scyllarus - Mantis Shrimp Peacock
Dazzling as a jewel
There was a Peacock Mantis Shrimp just around the coral patch. Bold as a jewel and twice as dazzling, it shimmered like a warrior in dazzling tropical hues. It looked at me with those alien eyes, swiveling independently. What are you looking at, it seemed to say. But don't be fooled by this beauty, and do not do anything to threaten it! This fellow comes with serious firepower and can easily break your finger!
Entry #8 Phyllidia varicosa - Scrambled Egg Nudibranch
Colourful but toxic
Fancy a little scrambled egg while diving? The colorful nudibranch gets its name comes from its appearance: a bright yellow-and-white body with black lines or patches, looking a bit like creamy scrambled eggs drizzled with ink.
Despite its cheerful colors, it’s actually toxic — those vivid patterns serve as a warning to predators to keep their distance.
Entry #9 Hippocampus bargibanti - Pygmy Searhorse
Exquisite seahorse
Who doesn't like a cutie like the Pygmy Seahorse?
Entry #10 Wunderpus photogenicus - Wunderpus
Beautiful Exotic Icon of Lembeh
First there was the usual tank banging, our guide signalling. Then the banging changed into some rhythmic pattern, perhaps it was a special signal?
And there it was, a wunderpus carrying its eggs! By this time the 2 dive guides with us were singing and humming underwater; it was, indeed, a very special moment!
Entry #11 Tozeuma armatum - Saw Blade Shrimp
Small, slender and beautifully made
A slender shape swaying gently, and perfectly mimicing the soft coral branches.
Behold, a beautiful Tozeuma shrimp!
This presents a challenge to the photographer - the camera needs to be perfectly aligning to its long, stick-like body, or some part of it will be out of focus!
This particular one has such beautiful markings on its body, you will look and then blink twice — a true beauty and a master of disguise that hides in plain sight, quietly reminding you how clever the ocean can be.
Entry #12 Thecacera pacifica - Pikachu Nudibranch
Pika Pika
Oh my word! I saw the Pikachu Nudibranch bouncing along the seabed, leaping out of a Saturday morning cartoon! With its bright yellow body and black-tipped “ears,” it seemed to say “Pika, pika!” to me. My my, this little sea slug definitely lit up my dive with its pure cuteness!
Photo credit: Nina Chen, US.
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Gotta catch 'em all! There are almost endless variety of nudibranch at Lembeh.
Entry #13 Hippocampus histrix - Thorny Seahorse
A Throny Ride
Ride the ocean with us and look for Triton's seahorses at Lembeh! Ok, some are really small, this is much larger.
Mary Wallingford from Hawaii, who has just finished diving with us, took this wonderful shot. Thank you Mary for diving with us and for sharing this beautifully taken photograph!
If you are going to Hawaii to dive, definitely check out Aquatic Life Divers.
Entry #14 Metasepia pfefferi - Flamboyant Cuttlefish
The joy of observing something momentarily!
Birth is always an exciting time! We had visited this location many times, each time we watched the eggs developed, gradually, always hoping that one of the visits would result in a spectacular hatching moment.
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And on a special evening our guest from China, Hong Liang, captured this one in a million moment, when the cute baby flamboyant cuttlefish hatched and swam away immediately!
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Entry #15 Neopetrolisthes maculatus - Porcelain Crab
Gently filtering food out of the water
The porcelain crab (Neopetrolisthes maculatus) sits in the trembling curtain of anemone arm, raising its feathery maxillipeds to the current, combing plankton , filter feeding. Each motion was deliberate, serene, as if the crab were playing a silent instrument that only the sea could hear.
In Lembeh, the gentleness of the moment is often rudely interrupted by the agressive confrontation, sometimes biting, of the clown fish!
Entry #16 Costasiella kuroshimae - Shaun the Sheep
A tiny sheep grazing...
Oh does that really look like a sheep grazing its green pasture! Often no larger than a grain of rice, this is really a marvel of nature, half cartoon, half miracle, full cuteness! Looking like a real sheep, there is the added twist that the green chloropast from the algae munched on is retained and continues to photosynthesis - solar powered sheep!
It is impossible not to smile when I see this critter. A speck of pure joy grazing in an underwater meadow, reminding you that even the tiniest creatures can have the biggest charm.
