coast of Central America. It is a dangerous species that is known to attack humans. It has the habit of passing uncomfortably close to divers should they enter its territory. Its normal food consists of a variety of fishes, including wahoo, eagle rays, wrasses and tunas. It will also consume octopuses and squids.
This shark should not be confused with the Reef whitetip, a harmless, relatively sluggish species that is often seen in shallow water. Both sharks have similar white markings on the dorsal and caudal fin, but the Whitetip is more slender and lacks white on the pectoral fin tips. The maximum size of the Silvertip is about 200 cm. The young, which measure between 63 and 68 cm, are born alive. Each litter contains 5 or 6 babies, but there may be as many as 11.
Scalloped Hammerhead Shark
Sphyrna lewini
Family: Sphyrnidae
The odd head shape typical of this family of sharks has been the subject of considerable speculation. Scientists believe it serves a twofold purpose of increasing manoeuvrability and enhancing sensory capabilities. The uniquely flattened head acts as a bowplane, allowing it to move swiftly through the water. The expanded surface area along the front of the "hammer" is crammed with special sensory cells for detecting pressure changes and electromagnetic fields, not unlike the sensor plate of a metal detector. In addition, the widely-spaced eyes may enhance their binocular vision.
The family contains nine species, of which the Scalloped hammerhead is one of the most common and widely distributed. It occurs in all tropical and warm-temperate seas. They sometimes congregate over sea mounts or around offshore islands, forming schools of hundreds of individuals. This shark is potentially dangerous, but attacks are rare. Maximum size is about 400 cm.
Manta Ray
Manta birostris
Family: Mobulidae
The distinctive Manta rays are easily recognised by the pair of large protruding flaps in front of the mouth, the lateral eyes, large wing-like appendages (actually modified pectoral fins), lack of a tail spine (some may have a rudimentary spine) and the tiny dorsal fin at the base of the tail. The head flaps are used to swoosh planktonic food into the mouth. It is ironic that such a huge animal feeds on tiny zooplankton. The largest mantas are reported to grow to a width of nearly 7 m and weigh more than 1,300 kg, making them one of the largest of all fishes. The family occurs in all warm seas—about 10 species are known. Large mantas are frequently sighted from boats, sometimes far out to sea. They are also regularly encountered by divers in the vicinity of coral reefs. One of the best areas to view them is around Sangalaki Island, off the northeastern coast of Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo). Here they can be seen almost every day of the year, often performing spectacular leaps above the surface.
Ribbon Eel
Rhinomuraena quaesita
Family: Muraenidae
The bright-coloured Ribbon eel is aptly named. Although the head is roughly cylindrical, its body is thin and ribbon-like. Unlike most morays belonging to the same family, it lives in sandy burrows. It is usually seen protruding its head and up to about one-third of the body length outside the burrow. Aside from coloration and shape, the most distinguishing feature is the enormously expanded nostrils, which form a membranous scoop-like structure. If threatened, for example when closely approached by a diver, the eel swiftly retreats into its burrow, waiting several minutes before emerging.
Juveniles and small adults are mainly black with a yellow dorsal fin. Males become blue on the body and have a characteristic yellow snout. Adult females are entirely yellow except for white fin margins and a black anal fin. The species is widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific region, ranging from East Africa to the Tuamotus and northwards to Japan. Maximum length is at least 130 cm.
Giant Moray
Gymnothorax javanicus
Family: Muraenidae
There are dozens of moray eel species on tropical coral reefs, but most are shy and seldom seen. They inhabit the endless cracks and fissures that riddle the reefs surface. The Giant moray is a notable exception that is often sighted by divers and has a particularly vicious appearance. Growing to a length of at least 2.2 metres and 30 kg weight, it is the largest moray eel living in the vast Indo-Pacific region. Like most morays, its jaws are equipped with numerous sharp fangs, which are normally used for capturing fishes or crustaceans. However, they can inflict nasty wounds on careless divers. For this reason it is not advisable to blindly probe deep crevices with your arms while diving, possibly in search of shells or lobsters. Nor is it advisable to spear large eels. They can easily spin off a spear and may vent their anger by biting savagely. In contrast, unprovoked specimens are usually docile and will allow divers to photograph them at close range or even feed and pet them.
Striped Catfish
Plotosus lineatus
Family: Plotosidae
Catfishes are usually thought of as being freshwater inhabitants, but are prominent in marine waters of Southeast Asia. Although most are confined to estuaries and turbid coastal waters, the Striped catfish is commonly encountered on coral reefs. Juveniles are most seen. They typically form aggregations which contain up to several hundred fish massed tightly together, with individuals actually in contact with one another. The aggregation takes on the appearance of a much larger creature or even inanimate objects, reducing the chances of predation. Large catfishes have few enemies due to their very venomous fin spines. Extreme care should be exercised when handling them as the puncture wounds are excruciatingly painful.
There is scant reproductive information on the Striped catfish. Males build nests under rocks or large pieces of debris and guard the eggs. The species ranges from the Red Sea to Samoa. Maximum size is 32 cm.
Spotfin Squirrelfish
Sargocentron cornutum
Family: Holocentridae
Although very abundant on coral reefs, squirrelfishes are seldom noticed by snorkellers. They remain hidden deep in the shadows of caves and crevices during daylight hours. Shortly after sunset they begin to emerge for nocturnal feeding. Because most of the reefs fish occupants are active during the day many invertebrates, particularly crustaceans and echinoderms, have evolved a strategy to avoid them by coming out to feed at night. Squirrelfishes have adapted night-time feeding to take advantage of this behaviour. They mainly consume crustaceans, particularly small crabs and shrimps.
Squirrelfishes are easily recognised by their red coloration, coarse scales and large eyes. Another remarkable feature is their ability to produce clearly audible "clicking" sounds, believed to function as a form of communication between members of the school. Most species, such as the Spotfin squirrelfish, are less than 25 cm when fully grown, but the largest attains 45 cm.
Trumpetfish
Aulostomus chinensis
Family: Aulostomidae
The bizarre Trumpetfish is found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, from Africa to the Americas. Its peculiarities include an elongate body, tubular snout, and a small barbel or chin "whisker". The colour pattern