CRITTERS OF LEMBEH
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AMBON SCORPIONFISH Pteroidichthys amboinensis
Habitat: Sandy, muddy and algae covered bottoms. Often very well camouflaged among detritus. Its body is overgrown by skinflaps, which are more prominent in males. The colour can range from yellow, brown, red to pink.
Divesites
seen at:		 Hairball 1, Hairball 2, Hairball 3, Jahir, Jahir 2, TK 1, TK2, TK3
Frequency   
of sitings:		 Occasional
Best time
of year:		 All year round
Remarks: up to 40 m depth, body size up to 12 cm.
© copyright by Mark Webster
© copyright by dr.Robin Dyleski
© copyright by Peter Lange
DEVIL SCORPION FISH Inimicus didactylus
Habitat: Solitary species, occasionally during mating in pairs or small groups. Often found half buried in sand, rubble, silt and mud, with only the goggle like eyes protruding from the sediment. Sometimes seen walking on its finger-like pectoral fins along the soft substrate. Its colour is very variable and range from gray to brown and black to red and orange. When alarmed, it displays its brightly coloured backside of its pectoral fins as warning.
Divesites
seen at:		 Air Prang, Air Prang 2, Air Prang 3, Bronsel, Critter Hunt, Hairball 1, Hairball 2, Hairball 3, Heynus, Jahir, Jahir 2, Lembeh Resort House Reef, Magic Crack, Nudi Falls, Nudi Retreat, Pantai Kecil, Pantai Parigi, Pintu Colada, Pintu Kota Besar (Seagrass), Police Pier, Police Pier 2, Pulau Abadi, Retak Larry (Larry’s Crack), Serena West, Slow Poke, Tanjung kusu-kusu, TK 1, TK2, TK3
Frequency   
of sitings:		 Common
Best time
of year:		 YEAR-ROUND
Remarks: 5- 70 m depth, length up to 18 cm
© copyright by Peter Lange
© copyright by Peter Lange
© copyright by Peter Lange
HUMPBACK SCORPION FISH Scorpaenopsis diabolus
Habitat: Occasionally found on reefs but mostly in rubble and sandy areas or among sea weeds. Can be partially buried. Usually solitary but can be seen in pairs. Colour change according to the environment, but sometimes from unknown reason adopts snow white colour while sitting on black sand. When alarmed, brightly coloured inner sides of pectoral fins are flashed as a warning.
Divesites
seen at:		 Air Prang, Air Prang 2, Air Prang 3, Aw Shucks, Batu Merah, Batu Sandar, Bronsel, Critter Hunt, Hairball 1, Hairball 2, Hairball 3, Heynus, Jahir, Jahir 2, Kapal Indah, Lembeh Resort House Reef, Magic Crack, Magic Rock, Makawide, Makawide 2, Makawide 3, Nudi Falls, Nudi Retreat, Pantai Jiko, Pantai Kecil, Pantai Parigi, Pintu Colada, Pintu Kota Besar (Seagrass), Pintu Kota Kecil, Police Pier, Police Pier 2, Pulau Abadi, Retak Larry (Larry’s Crack), Serena West, Slow Poke, Tanjung Kubur, Tanjung kusu-kusu, Tanjung Tebal, TK 1, TK2, TK3
Frequency   
of sitings:		 Common
Best time
of year:		 All year round
Remarks: 2- 70m depth, size up to 28 cm
© copyright by Mark Webster
LEAF SCORPION FISH Taenianotus triacanthus
Habitat: Solitary or in pairs mainly of the same colour pattern. Found mostly sitting on hard corals and rocks waiting to ambush a prey. The colour varies greatly, ranging from white, yellow, green, pink to red or black. Occasionally change its skin and colour. Dorsal spines start behind its head which is different than in the Cockatoo waspfish, where the spine starts in front of the head. Can stay in the same area for up to a few months.
Divesites
seen at:		 Angel´s Window, Batu Angus, Batu Kapal, Batu Merah, Batu Sandar, California Dreaming, Critter Hunt, Dante’s Wall, Goby A´Crab, Jahir 2, Jiko Yansi, Kapal Indah, Magic Crack, Magic Rock, Makawide, Makawide 2, Makawide 3, Pintu Colada, Pulau Abadi, Pulau Dua, Pulau Putus, Tanjung Kubur
Frequency   
of sitings:		 Occasional
Best time
of year:		 All year round
Remarks: up to 40m depth, size to 10 cm
© copyright by Mark Webster
© copyright by Kirsten Bloch
RHINOPIAS LACEY Rhinopias aphanes
Habitat: Solitary, usually found bellow 20 meters among Goniopora hard coral colonies or among rubble. Can be distinguished from the other two Rhinopias species by numerous thin skin flaps.
Divesites
seen at:		 Air Prang 2, Air Prang 3, Angel´s Window, Makawide 3, Nudi Falls
Frequency   
of sitings:		 Rare
Best time
of year:		 All year round
Remarks: up to 40 m depth, body size up to 25 cm.
© copyright by Peter Lange
© copyright by Linda Johnston
RHINOPIAS PADDLE-FLAP Rhinopias eschmeyeri
Habitat: Solitary, usually found bellow 20 meters among Goniopora hard coral colonies or among rubble. Can be distinguished from the other two Rhinopias species by paddle- like skin flaps above its eyes and on either side of its mouths resembling giant eyebrows and moustache. Usually stays in the same area for months even a year.
Divesites
seen at:		 Air Prang, Air Prang 2, Air Prang 3, Angel´s Window, Critter Hunt, Makawide 3
Frequency   
of sitings:		 Rare
Best time
of year:		 All year round
Remarks: 2- 40 m depth; Length up to 20 cm
© copyright by Peter Lange
© copyright by Katerina Kupcikova
RHINOPIAS WEEDY Rhinopias frondosa
Habitat: Solitary, usually found bellow 20 meters among Goniopora hard coral colonies or among rubble. Can be distinguished from the other two Rhinopias species by possessing short thick skin flaps on its body. It can stay in the same area for months or even year. Sometimes pairs up with paddle-flap Rhinopias.
Divesites
seen at:		 Air Prang, Air Prang 2, Air Prang 3, Angel´s Window, Critter Hunt, Makawide 3
Frequency   
of sitings:		 OCCASIONAL
Best time
of year:
Remarks: 8-15 m depth
© copyright by Jones&Shimlock
DAMPIER STONEFISH Dampierosa sp.
Habitat: Large rounded head, no apparent scales with velvet like skin texture variable color often with irregular white patches and usually banded pectoral fins. Solitary in sand or mud bottoms
Divesites
seen at:		 Jahir, Jahir 2, TK 1, TK2, TK3
Frequency   
of sitings:		 Rare
Best time
of year:		 All year round
Remarks: Size up to 10 cm
© copyright by Tania Van Aert
ESTUARINE STONEFISH Synanceia horrid
Habitat: Globular and poorly defined,appear as algae covered stone,has bony above and between eyes. Solitary mostly in small groups, very venomous fin spines deadly, also may bury in sand.
Divesites
seen at:		 Air Prang, Air Prang 2, Air Prang 3, Hairball 1, Hairball 2, Hairball 3, Heynus, Jahir, Jahir 2, Madidir, Magic Crack, TK 1, TK2, TK3
Frequency   
of sitings:		 Occasional
Best time
of year:		 All year round
Remarks: Size up to 30 cm
REEF STONE FISH Synanceia verrucosa
Habitat: Globular and poorly appear as algae covered stone. Solitary mostly in small groups, very venomous fin spines deadly, also may bury in sand or hide in some hole rocks.
Divesites
seen at:		 Angel´s Window, California Dreaming, Goby A´Crab, Jiko Yansi, Nudi Falls, Police Pier 2
Frequency   
of sitings:		 Occasional
Best time
of year:		 All year round
Remarks: Size up to 35 cm
COMMON LIONFISH Pterois volitans
Habitat: Usually solitary but in Lembeh often aggregates in small schools of up to 10 individuals. Mostly on reefs but also around moorings and outgrows on the sandy bottom divesites. During the day hides motionless seeking protection from any structure. It hunts during afternoons, at dusk and during night. When it hunts it hovers above the bottom, displaying its dorsal rays and streamer-like pectoral fins waiting for its prey.
Divesites
seen at:		 , , Air Bajo, Air Prang, Air Prang 2, Air Prang 3, Angel´s Window, Aw Shucks, Batu Angus, Batu Kapal, Batu Merah, Batu Sandar, Bronsel, California Dreaming, Critter Hunt, Goby A´Crab, Hairball 1, Hairball 2, Hairball 3, Heynus, Jahir, Jahir 2, Jiko Yansi, Lembeh Resort House Reef, Madidir, Magic Crack, Magic Rock, Makawide, Makawide 2, Makawide 3, Nudi Falls, Nudi Retreat, Pantai Jiko, Pantai Kecil, Pantai Parigi, Pante Abo, Pintu Colada, Pintu Kota Besar (Seagrass), Pintu Kota Kecil, Police Pier, Police Pier 2, Pulau Abadi, Pulau Dua, Pulau Putus, Retak Larry (Larry’s Crack), ROJOS, Serena Besar, Serena West, Slow Poke, Tanjung Kubur, Tanjung kusu-kusu, Tanjung Tebal, TK 1, TK2, TK3
Frequency   
of sitings:		 COMMON
Best time
of year:		 YEAR-ROUND
Remarks: to 50 m depth, size up to 38cm
© copyright by Paul Papadopoulos
© copyright by Jim Lyle
SHORTFIN LION FISH Dendrochirus brachypterus
Habitat: Found both on the muck and reef. This species is quite abundant in the Strait and often forms small groups, mainly around moorings, sponges and rocks. It is a mall Lionfish species, with a wide range of colour patterns, often red, but also bright yellow. As most lionfish, it is mainly active during late afternoons, at dusk and during night, when can be often seen hunting, hovering above the substrate head down, with its pectoral fins on display.
Divesites
seen at:		 Air Prang, Air Prang 2, Air Prang 3, Angel´s Window, Aw Shucks, Batu Angus, Batu Merah, Batu Sandar, Bronsel, Critter Hunt, Goby A´Crab, Hairball 1, Hairball 2, Hairball 3, Heynus, Jahir, Jahir 2, Kapal Indah, Lembeh Resort House Reef, Madidir, Magic Crack, Magic Rock, Makawide, Makawide 2, Makawide 3, Mawali Wreck, Nudi Falls, Nudi Retreat, Pantai Kecil, Pantai Parigi, Pintu Colada, Pintu Kota Besar (Seagrass), Pintu Kota Kecil, Police Pier, Police Pier 2, Pulau Abadi, Pulau Putus, Retak Larry (Larry’s Crack), Serena West, Slow Poke, Tanjung Kubur, Tanjung kusu-kusu, Tanjung Tebal, TK 1, TK2, TK3
Frequency   
of sitings:		 COMMON
Best time
of year:		 YEAR-ROUND
Remarks: body size to 17 cm, but often smaller, between 2- 30 m depth
© copyright by Jones&Shimlock
© copyright by Jim Lyle
LEMBEH VELVETFISH Paraploactis sp.
Habitat: Found on sandy bottoms, usually hiding under pieces of rubble or detritus. Small compressed body with knobs instead of spines on its head. Usually velvet or black in colour with a small orange or red spot on rear gill flap, which distinguishes this species from the more wide spread phantom velvet fish. Solitary.
Divesites
seen at:		 Air Prang, Bronsel, Hairball 1, Hairball 2, Hairball 3, Heynus, Jahir, Jahir 2, Magic Crack, Police Pier, Retak Larry (Larry’s Crack), Slow Poke, TK 1, TK2, TK3
Frequency   
of sitings:		 Rare
Best time
of year:		 All year round
Remarks: Depth up to 25m, size to 8cm
PHANTOM VELVETFISH Paraploactis kagoshimensis
Habitat: Found on sandy bottoms, usually hiding under pieces of rubble, detritus or sessile invertebrates. It has a small compressed body with knobs rather than spines on its head. Colour is usually velvet, brown or black but can be also orange. Can be mistaken for Lembeh velvet fist, but lacks the small orange spot behind gills.
Divesites
seen at:		 Air Prang, Air Prang 2, Air Prang 3, Bronsel, Hairball 1, Hairball 2, Hairball 3, Jahir, Jahir 2, Magic Crack, Retak Larry (Larry’s Crack), Slow Poke, TK 1, TK2, TK3
Frequency   
of sitings:		 Rare
Best time
of year:		 All year round
Remarks: Depth up to 25m, size to 12cm
COCKATOO WASPFISH Ablabys taenianotus
Habitat: Found on sand, mud and rubble, swinging by the water movements, mimicking rotten leaf. Found in pairs or solitary. Very similar species to the Spiny waspfish. The only visible difference between these two species is the number of dorsal rays (17 vs. 15). Colour ranges from white to dark brown.
Divesites
seen at:		 Air Prang, Air Prang 2, Air Prang 3, Bronsel, Hairball 1, Hairball 2, Hairball 3, Heynus, Jahir, Jahir 2, Lembeh Resort House Reef, Magic Crack, Nudi Falls, Nudi Retreat, Pantai Kecil, Pintu Kota Besar (Seagrass), Pintu Kota Kecil, Police Pier, Police Pier 2, Retak Larry (Larry’s Crack), Slow Poke, TK 1, TK2, TK3
Frequency   
of sitings:		 COMMON
Best time
of year:		 YEAR-ROUND
Remarks: to 20 m depth, length up to 15 cm.
© copyright by Linda Johnston
© copyright by Linda Johnston
LONG FIN WASP FISH Apistus Carinatus
Habitat: Shades of brown elongate black area on mid dorsal fin, large wing like pectoral fins chin have whiskers. Sometimes burry in the sandy bottom.
Divesites
seen at:
Frequency   
of sitings:		 Occasional
Best time
of year:		 All year round
Remarks: And mostly can be found at night.
© copyright by dr.Robin Dyleski
LONG SPINE WASP FISH Paracentropogon longispinus
Habitat: Solitary species, found on silty and sandy bottoms in sheltered bays and on coastal reefs. Usually brown or red body colour with white blotches. Often has a white stripe across its face. Seen mostly at night but also can be found at day time.
Divesites
seen at:		 Air Prang, Air Prang 2, Air Prang 3, Aw Shucks, Bronsel, Hairball 1, Hairball 2, Hairball 3, Heynus, Jahir, Jahir 2, Lembeh Resort House Reef, Magic Crack, Nudi Falls, Nudi Retreat, Pantai Jiko, Pantai Kecil, Pantai Parigi, Pintu Kota Besar (Seagrass), Pintu Kota Kecil, Police Pier, Police Pier 2, Retak Larry (Larry’s Crack), Slow Poke, Tanjung Kubur, Tanjung Tebal, TK 1, TK2, TK3
Frequency   
of sitings:		 COMMON
Best time
of year:		 YEAR-ROUND
Remarks: up to 30m depth, size up to 12 cm
WHITE FACE WASP FISH Rhichardsonichthys leucogaster
Habitat: Blotchy shades of red to brown, dorsal fin deeply incised between each spine has general appearance similar to other waspfishes except head an anterior body is not nearly as compressed.
Divesites
seen at:		 Air Prang, Air Prang 2, Air Prang 3, Hairball 1, Hairball 2, Hairball 3, Heynus, Jahir, Jahir 2, Slow Poke, TK 1, TK2, TK3
Frequency   
of sitings:		 Occasional during Night Dives
Best time
of year:		 All year round
Remarks: Size up to 10 cm
© copyright by Tania Van Aert
© copyright by Tania Van Aert
STARGAZER Uranoscopus sp.
Habitat: Found on sandy bottoms in coastal waters. Solitary. Usually only the goggle-like eyes and mouth full of teeth protruding from the sediment, with the rest of the body buried. Mostly seen at night, and rarely can be seen swimming. There are two species of stargazers in Lembeh Strait, Whitemargin and Reticulated stargazers, but since they are almost always buried, the tell them apart is quite difficult.
Divesites
seen at:		 Air Prang, Air Prang 2, Air Prang 3, Bronsel, Hairball 1, Hairball 2, Hairball 3, Heynus, Jahir, Jahir 2, Magic Crack, Pantai Kecil, Police Pier, Police Pier 2, Retak Larry (Larry’s Crack), Slow Poke, TK 1, TK2, TK3
Frequency   
of sitings:		 Occasional
Best time
of year:		 All year round
Remarks: Depth range from 5-50m, body size up to 30cm
© copyright by Peter Lange
© copyright by Liz Hanks
TWINSPOT LIONFISH Dendrochirus biocellatus
Habitat: Brown body with wide bars and 2-3 wide dark bands whitish fan like no filamentious pectoral fins pair of eyes spots on rear dorsal fin long tentacle like skin flap below each eye. Leafin caves and under ledges of coral rich.
Divesites
seen at:		 Batu Merah, Goby A´Crab, Jiko Yansi
Frequency   
of sitings:		 very rare
Best time
of year:		 All year round
Remarks: Size up to 10 cm
FLYING GURNARD Dactyloptena orientalis
Habitat: Sandy, coastal areas. Usually seen walking along the bottom in search for food. When threatened, it stretches out its large pectoral fins with blue blotches and quickly swims away. Solitary species, although juveniles can be found in groups.
Divesites
seen at:		 , , Air Prang, Air Prang 2, Air Prang 3, Angel´s Window, Aw Shucks, Batu Merah, Batu Sandar, Bronsel, Critter Hunt, Hairball 1, Hairball 2, Hairball 3, Heynus, Jahir, Jahir 2, Kapal Indah, Lembeh Resort House Reef, Madidir, Magic Crack, Magic Rock, Makawide, Makawide 2, Makawide 3, Nudi Falls, Nudi Retreat, Pantai Jiko, Pantai Kecil, Pantai Parigi, Pintu Colada, Pintu Kota Besar (Seagrass), Pintu Kota Kecil, Police Pier, Police Pier 2, Pulau Abadi, Pulau Dua, Pulau Putus, Retak Larry (Larry’s Crack), Serena West, Slow Poke, Tanjung Kubur, Tanjung kusu-kusu, TK 1, TK2, TK3
Frequency   
of sitings:		 Common
Best time
of year:		 All year round
Remarks: to 68 m depth, size up to 38cm
© copyright by Peter Lange
© copyright by Peter Lange
PEGASUS SEA MOTH Eurypegasus draconis
Habitat: They are usually in pairs, walking on their modified pectoral fins along sand and rubble. You can often observe them stirring up the sediment with their fins and feeding on small crustaceans hiding underneath the sand. Unusual critter, relative to the seahorse family. It can be mistaken for the Slender sea moth, which is quite rare, but also occasionally seen in Lembeh. Pegasus sea moth has a chubbier body and thicker snout.
Divesites
seen at:		 Jahir, Lembeh Resort House Reef, Magic Rock, Nudi Falls, Nudi Retreat, Pantai Parigi, Pintu Colada, Pintu Kota Besar (Seagrass), Pintu Kota Kecil
Frequency   
of sitings:		 COMMON
Best time
of year:		 YEAR-ROUND
Remarks: Often in pairs
© copyright by Peter Lange
© copyright by Peter Lange
FINGERED DRAGONET Dactylopus dactylopus
Habitat: Sandy and muddy bottoms of sheltered bays. It is able to bury itself in sand, or walk on finger-like ventral fins during its search of food. Characteristics of this species are its large body size for dragonet and brown- black colouration with and false blue eye on the first dorsal fin. Solitary or in pairs. As all dragonets, it can be observed mating during dusk. Can be confused with orange and black dragonet, which has brighter orange and blue coloration on its fins and an orange coloured mouth.
Divesites
seen at:		 Air Prang, Air Prang 2, Air Prang 3, Aw Shucks, Bronsel, Hairball 1, Hairball 2, Hairball 3, Heynus, Jahir, Jahir 2, Lembeh Resort House Reef, Magic Crack, Pantai Parigi, Police Pier, Police Pier 2, Retak Larry (Larry’s Crack), Slow Poke, Tanjung Kubur, TK 1, TK2, TK3
Frequency   
of sitings:		 Common
Best time
of year:		 All year round
Remarks: 5- 55 m depth, size up to 30 cm
© copyright by Thomas Reich, www.scubavision.de
MANDARIN FISH Synchiropus splendidus
Habitat: This species usually hides among rubble and within branching coral colonies during the day when it feeds on copepods and other small crustaceans. Mandarins come out at dusk to indulge in a mating ritual, which give you great photographic opportunities. They are easily distinguished from other fish species by having a short chubby body, large rounded fins and beautiful colour pattern reminding the traditional Mandarin dress.
Divesites
seen at:		 Batu Angus, Lembeh Resort House Reef, Pintu Kota Besar (Seagrass), Serena West, Tanjung kusu-kusu
Frequency   
of sitings:		 Common at dusk
Best time
of year:		 YEAR-ROUND
Remarks: Shallow depth; length up to 6 cm
© copyright by Peter Lange
© copyright by Peter Lange
© copyright by Jones&Shimlock
ORANGE & BLACK DRAGONET Dactylopus kuiteri
Habitat: Sandy and muddy bottoms of sheltered bays. It is able to bury itself in sand, or walk on finger-like ventral fins during its search of food. Characteristics of this species are its large body size for dragonet and bright yellow and blue coloured tail, ventral and the two dorsal fins; its mouth is bright orange. Juveniles are with their white body and brightly coloured pattern sought after photography objects. Solitary or in pairs. As all dragonets, it can be observed mating during dusk. It can be confused with the fingered dragonet, which is about the same size and lives in the same habitat. Finger Dragonet lacks the vivid colouration on its fins.
Divesites
seen at:		 Air Prang, Air Prang 2, Air Prang 3, Batu Merah, Batu Sandar, Bronsel, Critter Hunt, Hairball 1, Hairball 2, Hairball 3, Heynus, Jahir, Jahir 2, Jiko Yansi, Lembeh Resort House Reef, Madidir, Magic Crack, Magic Rock, Makawide, Makawide 2, Makawide 3, Nudi Falls, Nudi Retreat, Pantai Kecil, Pantai Parigi, Pintu Colada, Pintu Kota Besar (Seagrass), Pintu Kota Kecil, Police Pier, Police Pier 2, Pulau Abadi, Pulau Dua, Pulau Putus, Retak Larry (Larry’s Crack), Serena West, Slow Poke, Tanjung Kubur, Tanjung kusu-kusu, Tanjung Tebal, TK 1, TK2, TK3
Frequency   
of sitings:		 COMMON
Best time
of year:		 YEAR-ROUND
Remarks: body up to 15 cm, upto 40 m deep
ANGLER FLATFISH (FLOUNDERS) Asterorhombus fijiensis
Habitat: Solitary. Mostly found on sandy bottoms near coastal coral and rocky reefs, where it perfectly blends into the environment. Its first dorsal ray has been modified into fishing rod and lure, much like the one frogfish posses. Predates on fish and octopuses. Have been observed to attack and kill mimic, coconut octopus and wonderpus.
Divesites
seen at:		 , , Air Prang, Air Prang 2, Angel´s Window, Aw Shucks, Batu Angus, Batu Kapal, Batu Merah, Batu Sandar, Bronsel, California Dreaming, Critter Hunt, Dante’s Wall, Goby A´Crab, Hairball 1, Hairball 2, Hairball 3, Heynus, Jahir, Jahir 2, Jiko Yansi, Kapal Indah, Lembeh Resort House Reef, Madidir, Magic Crack, Magic Rock, Makawide, Makawide 2, Makawide 3, Mawali Wreck, Nudi Falls, Nudi Retreat, Pantai Jiko, Pantai Kecil, Pantai Parigi, Pintu Colada, Pintu Kota Besar (Seagrass), Pintu Kota Kecil, Police Pier, Police Pier 2, Pulau Abadi, Pulau Dua, Pulau Putus, Retak Larry (Larry’s Crack), Serena West, Slow Poke, Tanjung Kubur, Tanjung kusu-kusu, Tanjung Tebal, TK 1, TK2, TK3
Frequency   
of sitings:		 COMMON
Best time
of year:		 YEAR-ROUND
Remarks: Depth range 6 - 30 m, size up to 30 cm
© copyright by Peter Lange
CARPET SOLE Liachirus melanospilus
Habitat: Soles live solitary on silty or sandy substrates. Colour pattern is brown- black with several darker blotches. Both eyes are positioned on the right side of the animals head.
Divesites
seen at:		 Air Prang, Air Prang 2, Air Prang 3, Angel´s Window, Aw Shucks, Batu Sandar, Bronsel, Hairball 1, Hairball 2, Hairball 3, Heynus, Jahir, Jahir 2, Lembeh Resort House Reef, Madidir, Magic Crack, Magic Rock, Pantai Kecil, Pantai Parigi, Police Pier, Police Pier 2, Slow Poke, Tanjung Kubur, TK 1, TK2, TK3
Frequency   
of sitings:		 COMMON
Best time
of year:		 YEAR-ROUND
Remarks: 5- 40 m depth, length up to 15 cm
COCKATOO FLOUNDER Samaris cristatus
Habitat: Found solitary on sandy and silty bottoms of sheltered bays and estuaries. It feeds on benthic animals, such as on octopuses. Coloration is brown with dark stripes and spots on the body and white spots on its fins. Can be easily recognised by a set of long dorsal rays, which are spread in front of the animal when agitated.
Divesites
seen at:		 Air Prang, Air Prang 2, Bronsel, Hairball 1, Hairball 2, Hairball 3, Heynus, Jahir, Jahir 2, Madidir, Magic Crack, Pantai Kecil, Pantai Parigi, Police Pier, Police Pier 2, Retak Larry (Larry’s Crack), TK 1, TK2, TK3
Frequency   
of sitings:		 COMMON
Best time
of year:		 YEAR-ROUND
Remarks: 5- 70 m depth, length up to 22cm
© copyright by Peter Lange
© copyright by Peter Lange
CROCODILE FLATHEAD Cymbacephalus beauforti
Habitat: Elongate flattened crocodile like snout and head earthtone camouflage marking.Solitary pale darker and seagrass color to blend with surrounding
Divesites
seen at:		 Batu Merah, Lembeh Resort House Reef, Makawide, Makawide 2, Makawide 3, Police Pier, Police Pier 2, Pulau Putus
Frequency   
of sitings:		 COMMON
Best time
of year:		 All year round
Remarks: size up to 47 cm
WELANDER'S FLATHEAD Rogadius welanderi
Habitat: Small flat head species, quite common in Lembeh. Found on sand or rubble both on the muck sites as well as on coral sites lying still, sometimes slightly covered by sediment. It can be distinguished from a similar species, the spiny flathead, by longer snout and pretty green, brown and whi