Mabul VS Kapalai

Alright before we start I just want to make it clear that the dramatic and epic title of this post (Mabul versus Kapalai) has nothing to do with the contents. Its a gimmick to lure you readers to come check this out. So if you are here reading this, it means that my plot worked! Hee hee hee...

Anyway I did a few good dives at both Mabul and Kapalai about ten days ago, stayed at Sipadan Water Village Resort at Mabul Island and got some pictures to share with all of you. Both dive spots are indeed in my all time favorite list when it comes to macro. Those of you who love macro subjects and haven't been there MUST go! Those of you who visited both places before SHOULD return too.

Oh, I received an email from a random someone today too, who mentioned that he/she is one of the active visitors to this blog. He/she didn't give me his or her name and his/her email address seems suspicious enough but the message was a request for me to continue the effort and to post more AWESOME pictures. So here you go Mr/Ms. Anonymous this post is dedicated to you, I don't think my pictures are awesome enough but at least I tried and thanks for your support and encouragement. I don't know why but when I first saw your email address, I immediately thought about Kentucky Fried Chicken! Wow... Awesome!

Mabul

The Robokon-ebi (squatlobster): I found this little one at around 18meters depth at the rear part of Mabul. Tiny, the hole probably measuring around 1cm wide. It is skinnier than those at Roach Reefs and is twice as shy. This one is kinda lazy and less alert though so taking this shot ain't that hard.

Dwarf pipehorse: Very small and thin, even my hair band is thicker. Adoring little dude but hard to take a good shot since it tends to move around a lot, swinging along with the current while the tail holds firmly on the piece of small plant.

The Juvenile Velvet fish: Cute when young, kinda ugly once an adult, so it won't fit in the role of the Ugly Duckling story. The Velvet fish is a small and poorly know family, belonging to the order Scorpaeniformes (often confused with scorpionfishes) and is rarely observed due to its cryptic behavior. Not my favorite macro subject but the juvenile is pretty cute especially when it yawns. Very lazy kid much like the entire species, preferring to crawl rather than swim.

The Juvenile Cockatoo leaf fish: This little one is found just beside the baby velvet, not sure if they are trying to make friends or something but I think its pretty cool that they get to hang out together. This one is smaller than the baby velvet, probably around 1.5cm max. Cautious and more easily frightened than his lazy friend, it tends to escape us by jumping around trying to hide under rocks.

Black-orange dragonet: Saw this awesome fish on my first day. Also possibly a friend of the velvet and cockatoo as it was located at the same place with the other two juveniles but was not present on the third day when I went to visit them. Maybe they it had a fight with them or something. Measuring around the size of the cockatoo, it is difficult to spot due to its size and color that blends with the sandy bottom. Based on what I have read, the Black-orange dragonet is also known as the juvenile Fingered Dragonet. They were thought as different species just a couple of years ago but then the scientists did enough to prove them the same.

Spikefine goby: This magnificent goby is tiny as well! Difficult to shot due to its shyness and inability to stay put for more than five seconds. Its a nocturnal creature, preferring to come out to play at late afternoon near the hours of sunset. Very rare indeed and lovely, simply lovely. It took me just four tries to get this picture while others had more than ten times more tries to get a similar full body shot. Lucky day! The Spikefin goby cost really high price for an aquarium pet and although population is high it is rarely sighted. They are secretive and not associated with burrows or partner shrimps. Usually found in shallow areas of live coral, rubble and sand, this one was seen at a depth of 5meters. Beautiful ain't it?

Kapalai

The Flamboyant cuttlefish: This beautiful cuttlefish can be expected at Kapalai with regular sightings averaging once a month and it usually stay for quite some time in a same place. Usually sighted at shallow depths associated with sand, sea grass and rubble the Flamboyant cuttlefish is one very cool and indeed flamboyant creature. Its a good hunter too with a long tongue to capture its prey. I took a close up shot at this colorful fellow concentrating on the head and eye to get some sort of facial expression out of it. My mum thought it was a very colorful elephant when she took a glimpse at it... Hahaha.

The Ornate ghostpipefish: Also known as the Harlequin ghostpipefish, this variable colored species is pretty common but easily overlooked. It is beautiful and graceful and usually slow moving but this one was strangely fast, it saw me and simply made a run for it! Took me a while to take a shot but it didn't turn out as well as I have hoped for.

Robust ghostpipefish: Another popular species for macro lovers and photographers, the robust ghostpipefish can vary from green to red, brown and black. This one measures around 6-7cm and is located around the same area with the Ornate ghostpipefish above. It is very well camouflaged, resembling a sea grass and therefore is not as commonly found as it's relative.

The Leaf fish: Also known as the Paper fish, belongs to the Scorpionfish family. Common and extremely variable in color, matching sponges and algae from white, green, brown, red and various spotting. Also very well camouflaged and doesn't move much making it difficult to spot and easily missed. Usually found on shallow coral reefs, the Leaf fish is common at Kapalai as well as Mabul.

The Giant Frogfish: Also known as the Anglerfish, this one measures around 30cm and is fat... Giant Frogfishes are usually seen inhabiting shallow coastal to deep waters but nearly always with sponges. Also can be expected on jetty pilons and wrecks. Here is a head and half body shot of this big guy inside a wreck at Kapalai.

Ribbon eel: Juveniles are black and adults blue with variable amount of yellow. Ribbon eels are rarely seen leaving their burrows so if you encounter one swimming out, thats a money shot! Occasionally you might see a pair sharing a burrow. Could be related to mating and breeding though I am not really sure.

Well I guess thats it for now folks, hope you all enjoy the pictures and the descriptions on them. I really love Mabul and Kapalai, I enjoyed many macro dives there, if you get a chance to dive Mabul and Kapalai don't miss any chance to see these lovely awesome fishes!

Cheers,


Allister