Volcanic activity, ocean currents, and other forces of nature conspired over the ages to transform the waters off Lembeh Resort into one of the most diverse aquatic ecosystems ever witnessed. Located in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia, this oceanic paradise offers some of the world’s most unparalleled coral reefs and marine life. These 10 especially remarkable creatures are just a tiny sampling of what Lembeh Resort diving has to offer.
Mimic Octopus
This 2-foot diameter creature with brown and white striping outdoes the chameleon. The mimic octopus can imitate lionfish, sea snakes, and jellyfish for self defense while also impersonating the crabs it preys upon.
Electric Clam
The electric clam tops its brilliant scarlet color off with dazzling flashes of light produced along the edges of the clam’s mantel. These flashes result from embedded silica granules, rather than bioluminescence.
Giant Frogfish
At 15 inches in length, this species of frogfish can camouflage itself with a palette of colors including black, brown, cream, gray, pink, red, and yellow. The giant frogfish is also noted for using its pelvic fins to walk and hold itself steady when hunting.
Spotted Porcelain Crab
Despite the name, this animal has only six legs instead of eight, so it’s not a true crab. It’s obviously a close relative, though. A shiny white shell speckled with dark dots make this crustacean quite photogenic.
Lacey Scorpionfish
Both the nose and the eyes of this fish seem to be reaching skyward. They’re accompanied by a namesake intricate lace pattern covering its body.
Spiny Devil
This type of scorpionfish features a lower profile than the lacey scorpionfish or the highly desired paddle-flap scorpionfish, but it’s every bit as colorful. It’s also just as dangerous with its venomous spines, so look but don’t touch.
Thorny Seahorse
The waters around Lembeh Resort offer one of the best opportunities anywhere to view seahorses. At roughly 6.7 inches long, the thorny seahorse is one of the more easily seen species.
Ghost Pipefish
With their ability to change colors and patterns, it takes a sharp eye to spot these spindly relatives of the seahorse. Those who do will delight in their skillful mastery of underwater camouflage.
Dragon Sea Moth
Large stretches of flat ocean bottom around Lembeh Resort have allowed many creatures like the fascinating dragon sea moth to evolve an ability to walk with modified fins.
