Here in Dauin, Philippines, nestled within the vibrant waters of the Coral Triangle, the hunt is always on for something special. This region isn’t just about big animals; it’s an absolute haven for exotic little critters, and underwater photographers and marine enthusiasts flock to its macro hotspots to seek out the rare and the beautiful. While certain tiny cephalopods certainly spark immense excitement among our guests at Atmosphere, there’s a whole kaleidoscope of fascinating mini-beasts waiting to be discovered!
Speaking of particularly famous little critters, the blue-ringed octopus is among the deadliest animals in the sea. Despite being barely the length of a pencil, its bite can have a fatal effect. This is thanks to its venom, which is similar to the extremely deadly toxin found in the pufferfish. Thankfully, bites are rare, and these creatures are definitely best admired from a distance! Stunningly beautiful as they are, in particular when their blue rings flash, they are a favorite amongst underwater photographers.
But the wonders don’t stop there! The Coral Triangle is brimming with other incredible tiny creatures, including some truly captivating octopuses, that deserve a spot on your “must-see” list.
Among the most sought-after is the wonderpus octopus, scientifically named Wunderpus photogenicus in 2006, often confused with the mimic octopus. This highly prized octopus, which can be saucer-sized with long arms, gained much of its acclaim for their fascinating movement for “dancing” or “multiarm walking” a slow form of escape potentially meant to confuse predators.
While naturally reserved and not particularly enjoying the company of divers, they can be quite curious. When discovered in the open on sand, sand-dwelling species such as the wonderpus can magically melt into the soft bottom and are seldom seen again!
Adding to the cephalopod spectacle is the mimic octopus, discovered as recently as 1998 in Sulawesi, Indonesia. This is one of the all time “wishlist” critters on any exotic muck dive. Growing to about 60cm including its arms, its incredible “party trick” is its ability to change its skin, colour, and texture to blend in with the environment and/or mimic other species like toxic flatfish, lionfish, and sea snakes by creatively configuring its limbs, employing characteristic undulating movements, and displaying brown-and-white color patterns.
This trickery likely helps protect the talented cephalopod from predators. While sometimes confused with the wonderpus due to similar coloring, the mimic is typically out and about in the daytime.
Beyond these incredible octopuses, Dauin and the Coral Triangle offer a treasure trove of other macro delights:
- Harlequin Shrimp: These pretty, constantly moving shrimps live in pairs and feed exclusively on starfish. They often have distinct pink and blue markings, appearing traditionally dressed for their pairing. They maintain a “live larder,” feeding on living, usually slow-moving starfish by flipping them over and devouring the soft tissue and tube feet.
- “Shaun the Sheep” Sap-Sucking Slug: A relatively new entry on the underwater photographer’s wish list. This tiny, leaf-dwelling slug resembles a certain cartoon sheep. With its beady black eyes, floppy “ears,” and bizarre looking body, it is undeniably cute, but very difficult to photograph, as it reaches a maximum of just 5mm and is often around 2mm.
- Candy Crab (Soft Coral Crab): This adorable little crustacean lives amongst the colourful spikes of Dendronephthya soft coral. It enhances its already impressive camouflage by attaching polyps from the coral to its carapace. It mimics the colours of the coral it lives in, which are normally pink, white, yellow, or red.
- Hairy Shrimp: So tiny it is difficult to discern with the naked eye, resembling nothing more than a dot of algae. An adept dive guide can gently sweep the algae growth on a coral reef to find one. It can be in a variety of colours to blend in with its home.
Finding these often cryptic and tiny creatures requires a keen eye and local knowledge. Many spend their time tucked away, blending in with their environment. That’s where the expertise of our experienced dive guides comes in! They know the specific habitats and behaviours to look for, dramatically increasing your chances of encountering these marvels.
If you’re captivated by these incredible little creatures and want to learn the secrets our guides use to find them, exploring the Coral Triangle and its macro wonders right here in Dauin is an unforgettable experience. Every dive offers the potential to discover something new and fascinating, from deadly beauties like the blue-ringed octopus to tiny, camouflaged masters, “dancing” octopuses, and elusive slugs! Come join the hunt and discover the wonders of Dauin’s incredible marine life!
References:
11 Tiny Creatures to Discover in the Coral Triangle, Underwater360
It’s All in the Name, DAN World
Video of Fish Mimicking an Octopus That Mimics a Fish, audubon.org
