Since our last post requesting information on a species of octopus found whilst diving in the Celebes Sea we have received a number of emails with possible sightings of this delightful critter.

Most we have been able to identify as different species such as the Poison Ocellate Octopus Octopus mototi, recently sent in by Roan Stoel.

However and image by Jeff Guzman appears to bear similarities.

Notice the blue false eye ring (ocellus) on the mantel and the appendage centered between the eyes.






Although many have a pair of false eye spots, to date we have been unable to find a species bearing the appendage.

I would imagine this animal is fairly abundant within this region but finding and documenting them it difficult due to their small size, shyness and particularly cryptic behavior.

At the very least we can confirm distribution to be North Borneo and neighboring parts of the Philippines !

If anyone has any further information to add please drop us a line.

For more images and information please visit our Marine Biology Octopus section.

It would appear that the rare Marble Mouth Frogfish (Lophiocharon lithinostomus) is not so rare in the waters of North Borneo or at least within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, just off shore Kota Kinabalu City.

Since it was first described in 1908 by Jordon and Richardson internet searches reveal very few sightings or species information and even fewer images.

We have however found two creatures within the park throughout the last year and our recent discovery has not moved from its shallow reef home for a number of weeks.


Our images confirm its identity, note the long twig like Illicium (rod) with no actual lure on the tip and its typical lifeless appearance.

Should you wish to learn more about these wonderfully ugly creatures please visit our Marine Biology Frogfish section.

To read more about a previous encounter with the Marble Mouth see our Creature Features section within this blog or use this link.

In contrast to our previous Marine Turtle post we're pleased to report a positive turtle story.

Throughout the past month divers and snorkelers around Mamutik Island have been treated to several encounters with a friendly Green Turtle (Cheonia myda) that has been feeding on the fringing reefs of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

Green and Hawksbill turtles are seen throughout the year within the park but the environmental and hunting challenges they face have resulted in fewer sightings. As a result an encounter is fairly uncommon and always a treat.

For more information on Turtles please visit our Marine Biology Turtle link.

We have once again been treated to several sightings of Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) along the Kinabatangan River in Sabah Borneo, some in excess of 3m in length.

Crocodylus porosus is one of three or four species of Crocodilian living Borneo, it is also the largest growing up to 7m long.

Worldwide populations have greatly decreased throughout the last century due to habitat lose, urbanization, river development projects and extensively being hunted for their meat, skin and through fear. This trend however has reversed in Sabah within the last 10-15 years and along the lower Kinabatangan river numbers are increasing

This recovery is probably due to a number of factors, most influential was protection of the species in 1982 and establishment of the Sandakan Crocodile Farm in Eastern Sabah which fulfills the demand for the animals meat and skin

Saltwater Crocodiles are an awesome creature to see, especially in the wild in an area where they are abundant and thriving. For more images please visit our Borneo Reptiles photo collection.

When staying at Kinabatangan we reside off the beaten track at Bilit Adventure Lodge you can read more about their accommodation here.

Nudibranchs ( meaning naked - gill and pronounced NUDI BRANKS) are Sea slugs belonging to the class Gastropoda and are always a popular creature for divers to look out for.

They have soft bodies and in many cases are extremely colourful ranging in size from microscopic to almost two feet long !

They can be found in all our oceans throughout the world at all depths with many remaining undescribed. For more information about the biology of Nudibranchs please visit our Marine Biology Sea Slug page.

When pointing out Nudi's during training dives for novices one of the most frequently asked questions is what do they eat ?? Sea slugs consume a wide variety of foods from Brozoans, Hydroids, Alge and even each other !!

The most common slugs encountered by divers are from the family Chromodoris they are mainly sponge feeders and represent some of the most colorful of all the families.

On a recent dive we captured some interesting, descriptive shots of H. kanga feeding on its favored sponge food, image above and right.

We thought this post might interest marine enthusiasts and help them better understand the way Nudi's eat.

As you can see in the first image, the mouth opening extends and it is literally hoovering up the living tissue of the sponge leaving only the white skeleton behind.

These animals use "chemical warfare" as means of defence. Storing toxins from the consumed food within their soft bodies. The toxins are either distasteful or poisonous to their predators. This form of protection has been so successful that many have evolved without a shell, unlike their land cousin the common snail.

Knowing the food source can help identify a species as coloration is often variable.

We have compiled a photographic Sea Slug Field Guide to assist divers in identifying their Nudibranch find, it is presented like a free book for all to use.

Whilst conducting a Macro Photo Dive this morning at Palau Mamutik in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (TARP), Kota Kinabalu, Sabah we came upon what is reputed to be the most venomous marine creature on earth, the Box Jellyfish Chironex sp, sometimes referred to as the Sea Wasp.

Known mostly for its presence in Northern Australia for approx. 50 -60 deaths in the past 100 years. In the Asia - pacific region deaths resulting from these creatures are less reported and as a result their existence for most people goes unnoticed. Dr Jamie Seymour, head of the Australia Tropical Stinger Research Center - QLD suggests as many as 100 - 200 deaths per year may take place in Asia Pacific.

Easily recognized by the box shaped head and four clusters of tentacles grouped together at each corner. They are a member of the class Cubozon and scientists today are still deciphering the basic biology of these lethal creatures.

What we do know is each one of their tentacles contain millions of stinging cells and if a person is stung badly death can occur in a few minutes. Fortunately these animals do not target humans but they do inhabit surrounding waters of tropical beaches where we love to swim.

They have eyes at each corner of the box head but no brain, see image left. When they see something as large as a human its thought they stay away.

In more than 400 dives within the TAR Park, we've only ever seen three whilst underwater, one upon exiting a shore dive, one in the surface waters above the reef and today, on an artificial reef in 5m of water, all were within a handful of meters from bikini clad swimmers. We have also seen them cruising the Sutera Harbor region on the mainland more frequently, perhaps they enter the marina and find it difficult to get out. Usually our sightings follow heavy periods of rain, as has been the case here for the past two weeks.

Encounters with these animals are very rare here in Sabah, when we first arrived and for several months we were unaware of their presence. We feel however that people should be somewhat vigilant especially those with children, a young girl died from a sting last November just a few hundred meters from where we saw one today. Treatment for stings is to apply acetic acid -household vinegar but most importantly seek medical care immediately.

Its also important to know that not all jellyfish are dangerous to humans, we often encounter other species that are quite stunning in appearance and totally harmless.

What was expected to be an average nudibranch sightseeing dive on Mid Reef turned into a particularly exciting encounter with a Marble Mouthed Frogfish (Lophiocharon lithinostomus).

Having visited the sites wreck at 19m we began our slow ascent combing the gently sloping reef searching for critters. Today's visibility was particularly poor averaging only 2-3m a common occurrence at this location. Richard's single bang of the tank indicated a special find, at first myself and Sanai both professional divers and experienced guides couldn't recognize what he was pointing at but the squeaks of joy soon came through the regulators as the find materialized !

Often with cryptic critters we would notice an eye before seeing the creature itself but its eye's appeared particularly lifeless and as a result they were barely recognizable, infact at first we thought it was dead.

We both knew at the time this small sized Froggy was special, Richard photographed him and even when the strobes fired the creature did not flinch, continuing to conceal its identity.

Identification of Frogfish is particularly tricky because many species have the ability to change colour to suit their environment and sizes vary within the same family. The most important
distinguishing factor is their Illicium (Rod) and the lure that sits on the tip. Notice that our individual has a long twig like Illicium with no actual lure on the tip, this provided vital clues to its identity and combined with location, size and habitat we are confident to say its a Marbled Mouthed Frogfish.
Distribution. North Borneo and neighboring areas of the Philippines, considered very rare
Habitat. Brackish waters
Location. Mid Reef, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, South China Sea, Sabah, Borneo
Depth. 10.8m
Frogfish Size. Max 6cm
Date. 23rd January 2007
Notes. Particularly lifeless, very cryptic

Click for more information on Frogfish or use our Marine Biology links to the right.

Pygmy Elephants Crossing the Kinabatangan River

On a recent visit to the Kinabatangan with Bilit Adventure Lodge we were treated to a rare sighting of Elephants crossing the river. Nearing the end of our late afternoon river cruise, on route to our accommodation and already having seen a wealth of wildlife, our boatman sighted two Bornean Pygmy Elephants in the river. At first we thought perhaps they were taking an evening bath but soon realized a crossing was taking place. To our amazement we witnessed groups of around 20 at a time gather together on the bank, placing the juveniles at the centre of the herd then swim across the river. In total over 100 passed the bow of our small boat. Truly spectacular !

For more information on the region and Pygmy Elephants Of Borneo please visit our Kinabatagan page.

Whilst on a Macro dive at Kapalai, Joanne's keen eye pays off with the discovery of a tiny Octopus. After studying our series of photographs we are still unable to identify the species. We believe it is related to the Blue Ring Octopus due to obvious similarities. We've been in contact with Marine Biologist friends in Australia and to our knowledge this is currently undescribed. If anyone has seen or knows anything about this delightful critter please contact us, we would welcome your input. For the purpose of a common name we've called it the Two Ring Octopus.

Location: Mandarin Valley, Kapalai, Celebes Sea, Sabah Borneo
Depth: 11m
Distinguishing Factors: Single blue ring either side of the Mantle (body), skin flaps above the eyes, extended frontal appendage in the centre of the eyes.
Size: 2cm including tentacles
Notes: Rings displayed much brighter when disturbed, most likely as a warning of a venomous bite.

Bryde's Whale In Kota Kinabalu

Jetting out by speedboat en- route to the islands of TARP we noticed a small gathering of local boats with many people in the water just offshore of Gaya Island.

Two friends from Sarawak were with us as we were conducting a Photo Clinic. Sadly the center of attention was a beached 21m Bryde's Whale, which soon became the the subject of a massive rescue effort by the diving community and government officials. That evening at high tide and after a very long day the creature was towed from the reef. Unfortunately it was found dead the following day at almost the same spot. Due to the fact we were focusing on the Photo Clinic with our friends Matthew and Lee, we were without our own cameras, however Lee kindly supplied us with these images.

Sad as it was that the creature died, it was an amazing experience to be in the water with such a magnificent animal.

Thanks to Foo Sze Lee for these images !