The following dive was across the channel at a location known as Aga Hota. This site features a gentle coral slope down to 100 feet where it then gradually goes down to much deeper water. There were a number of small ledges under which various fish sought shelter during the day. At 110 feet we saw several larger black velvet angelfish, Chaetodontoplus melanosoma , which represented the first sighting of this species for us on this trip. As we ascended up the slope we encountered large schools of red-toothed triggerfish, Odonus niger, swimming high above the reef and darting into crevices as we approached, sweetlips, Plectorhinchus sp., damsels, large sponges, and commensal coral shrimp were also in abundance. The dive concluded in shallow water where we observed large schools of juvenile fish taking shelter in branching coral heads. I also found a large anemone that housed three different species of juvenile clownfish and one species of damselfish!

Tomorrow is our last day in Anilao, as we get up early, pack up the corals we have collected and head off on the 3.5 hour drive to Manila. Once there, we will transfer our corals to our exporter, AquaScapes Inc., then head for the hotel, before getting up at 04:30 Tuesday morning for the 16 hour trip back to San Francisco.

Commensal shrimp, Tozeuma sp. on gorgonian

Blue-tipped staghorn coral, Acropora sp.

Juvenile boxfish, Ostracion cubicus

An inquisitive mantis shrimp peering out from its burrow. This individual was quite bold coming out to inspect the camera and flash.

Partner shrimp, Alpheus sp. and partner goby, Cryptocentrus sp.

An unidentified Octopus sp has found a new home.

Nudibranch, Mexichromis multituberculata.

How many species of clownfish can you find in this anemone?

The second dive was on the opposite of the rock outcrop that we had just been at. Here was a wall and slope filled with all kinds soft and stony corals, primarily more robust corals such as Echinopora, Favia, Montastrea, Plerogyra and Pectinia to name just a few, as well as entire fields of soft corals such as Cespitularia, Xenia, Lemnalia, Sinularia, Anthelia, Clavularia and Tubipora. Here we collected a few stony and soft corals for the Academy and photo documented the area. Other exciting finds were giant clams, Tridacna maxima and a flashback cuttlefish, Sepia latimanus!

The final dive of the day was at a location known as Cathedral, which is one of the most dived reefs in the Philippines. Here we observed extensive thickets of Acropora in the shallows and a lot of fish such a fusilers, damsels, surgeonfish, rabbitfish, tangs, sweepers, cardinalfish, shrimpfish and angelfish. Since the dive took place between 4:30 PM and 6:00 PM we also observed spawning behavior in several groups of fishes as well as the “changing of the guard” as the day active fish began to seek shelter for the night and the night active fish such as lionfish, squirrelfish and cardinalfish began to appear from their daytime hiding places. The water temperature on this reef was 87 degrees, and extensive areas of the Acropora thickets we showing the first sign of coral bleaching, where the corals become extremely pale in color as they begin to loose their golden brown symbiotic algal partners, zooxanthellae. It has become very obvious on this trip that when human impacts are decreased on a reef system, it can and does begin to recover; coral reefs are very resilient provided they are given the opportunity to recover from human impacts.

Soft coral field at Ligpo Island

Rhizostome jellyfish, Crambione mastigiophora

Cuttle, Sepia latimanus

A pair of cleaner wrasses (Labroides dimidiatus)give a good look over of a small parrotfish. The same behavior can be seen every day in the Philippine coral reef exhibit at the Academy.

A pair of shrimpfish, Aeoliscus strigatus

Leather Coral, Sarcophyton sp.

Cespitularia sp.

Clavularia sp.

Dendronephthya sp.

Common clownfish, Amphiprion ocellaris

Emperor angelfish, Pomacanthus imperator.

Corals are attached to pieces of styrofoam to keep them afloat and upside down in the water and away from the sides of the bag.

Placed inside of styrofoam boxes, they are then sealed and placed in cardboard boxes with cooling packs.

Photos Courtesy: Dennis Ty

The second dive that day was at Layh Layh, just across the channel from Sea Pens. Here we observed large groups of red-toothed triggerfish (Odonus niger) at a depth of 80 feet, as well as an abundance of stony corals in the shallows. This area was previously the site of extensive dynamite fishing less than 10 years ago and it was gratifying to see the extent by which rapidly growing branching stony corals were recolonizing the area.

Later in the day we dove the reef in front of the resort to check on the coral corral and to see how the reef looked on our doorstep. Diving down to 60 feet we found an extensive bed of garden eels of an unknown species; easily over 100 individuals. They were extremely skittish and we could not approach close enough to get a clear view of them. There were also tube anemones, Cerianthus, as well as lots of soft and stony corals. To cap of the dive we encountered a small octopus who was observing us from a coral pinnacle a few feet away, such a cool critter!

The day ended with a night dive at Basura, the site of small local artificial coral reef. Using rebar and coral fragments collected from other nearby reefs, a small reef is being created next to shore and a small village. Night dives are always interesting as you never know what you will find, this time was no different as we encountered pipefish, crabs, shrimp and a large school of shrimpfish (Aeoliscus strigatus).

Commensal Shrimp, Periclemenes sp.

Black-spot damsel, Pomacentrus stigma

Purple Sea Anemone, Heteractis sp.

Tomato Clownfish, Amphiprion frenatus

Tube anemone, Cerianthus sp.

Diadema urchin, electric blue lines along the top of the test

Our coral “nursery” in 3 meters of water just offshore of the dive resort.

Close-up of corals in the “nursery”.

The first site we visited was Aphol’s Rock, where there is a wide array of corals and fishes. The current was strong that day, which made collecting difficult but we still managed to collect over 40 small pieces of coral. The second dive was at a location known as Bethlehem, with a reef slope that extends down to about 70 feet. Here we observed, photographed and made videos of the fish population and reef structure for future exhibit ideas. We also found our very first Weedy Scorpionfish, Rhinopias frondosa!

Cardinalfish, Apogon sp.

Black Cap Jawfish,Opistognathus sp.

Dragonet, Synchiropus sp.

Weedy Scorpionfish, Rhinopias frondosa

Once we collect our corals its back to home base where we then begin the process of attaching the coral fragments to small plastic plugs using a fast drying non-toxic glue. These plugs are then placed into a plastic grid material, which is turn placed inside a small holding cage which we then sink off the resort in about 10 feet of water until we are ready to ship them back to San Francisco.

One dive worth of specimens

First the glue is added to the plug …

… then the coral fragment is inserted and the glue is allowed to dry.

Happy fragments waiting to be placed in the ocean!

Next up are a few more dives including a night dive and an update on our coral “nursery”. Stay tuned!

Chrysiptera sp.

Black damselfish, Neoglyphidodon melas

The second dive was a night dive to the local pier in Anilao. Often called “muck” diving, these sandy featureless areas often harbor an astounding diversity of bizarre creatures. None more so than the “bobbit” worm, Eunice aphroditois, a predatory worm that sits in ambush, its chitinous jaws agape waiting for passing prey such as small fish and shrimp. We found several octopus, squid, bobtail squid, nudibranchs such as Kalinga ornata, flatfish and a plethora of scorpionfish.

The predatory bobbit worm, Eunice aphroditois

A new record from the Philippines, the nudibranch Kalinga ornata

An Amphioctopus marginatus, Coconut Octopus, descending into his burrow.

Black spotted sole, Pardachirus melanospilos.

Scorpionfish,

Saturday was spent shopping for supplies to aid us in our collection efforts. Mundane items such as cable ties, plastic containers, PVC pipe, tape and other sundry items were purchased. This morning we are off to Anilao to begin the real meat of the expedition!

We will be posting updates shortly!