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Taytay Bay and South Negros Philippines

A Photo Essay

Amphiprion clarkii (Clark's clownfish) and Heteractis crispa (rare purple sebae anemone), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Published - 20151126, Revised:

On this trip I went back to the Palawan and explored Taytay Bay on the Northeast side of the island and Southeastern side Negros Oriental province. This trip also included a return trip after 10 years to explore the house reef of Atlantis Dive resort, and the West side of Apo Island.

First location I explored was Taytay Bay off the East coast of Northern Palawan. I stayed at the Apulit Island Resort. To get there I flew from Manila to El Nido Airport, and took a van ride down to Taytay Bay to catch the resorts banca boat to Apulit Island.

Apulit Island Satellite View

Apulit Island has an extensive coral reef on the West side (resort side) to explore. As with my last trip to Coron Bay, Palawan, surprisingly there were no Acanthuridae (surgeonfish/tangs) observed on any of the reefs explored in Taytay Bay. Many species of Siganidae (rabbitfish) were common.

In Taytay Bay I was able to explore the Northwest side of Apulit Island, Nabat Island's coral garden reef, Imbaladan Island (Isla Blanca), and Magbautoc (Noah Noah) Island's Lopez reef. Each site was unique offering sea life that was not observed at other sites in Taytay Bay.

Isla Blanca (Imbaladan) Island Satellite View
Nabat Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan Satellite View
Magbautoc Island (Noah Noah Island), Lopez Reef, Taytay Bay, Palawan Satellite View

From Apulit Island I had to take a banca boat to Taytay and a van ride from the port to Puerto Princesa International Airport. From Puerto Princesa I had to fly to Cebu (the second largest city in the Philippines) and catch a bus in the morning to Dumaguete. From Dumaguete I took a van to Kookoo's Nest at the Southern end of Negros near Tambobo Bay.

Kookoo's Nest is a small resort with a house reef and to the North towards Tambobo Bay you can find seagrass with a couple of species of pipefish. Large shoals of vagabond butterflyfish (Chaetodon vagabundus) and blackbelly triggerfish (Rhinecanthus verrucosus) were spotted in great numbers just before sundown just North of the resorts boat dock.

Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental Satellite View

To the East of Kookoo's Nest at the peninsula point a beautiful red bubble anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) hosting tomato clownfish (Amphiprion frenatus) was discovered not far from a cliff. A little further East a banded snake eel (Myrichthys colubrinus) and banded sea krait/snake (Laticauda colubrina) were found hunting for prey in the coral crevices.

I was able to explore the West side of Apo Island on this trip. The reef on the East side of the island was so severely damaged by typhoon Pablo two years ago that the Philippine government does not allow diving or snorkeling till it has time to recover. The West side of the island is a leather coral haven. Vast stretches of leather coral were very dominant with a few stoniest mix in.

Apo Island

Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) are a tourist attraction now at Apo Island. You can pay a tour guide to take you to see the turtles just off the beach, but I stayed well clear of the tourist and was able to find many on my own further out and to the Southern end of Chapel Reef.

Banded sea krait/snake (Laticauda colubrina) were common at the Southern end of Chapel Reef. So common I was lucky to look up at the right time to find one at the surface in front of me only 3 meters (10 feet) away.

Atlantis Dive Resort is a popular place to stay for divers. The resort caters to divers and those learning to dive. When I visited Atlantis 10 years ago, you had to pass through a large swath of sargassum seaweed before you reach the reef. The sargassum had Haddon's carpet anemone (Stichodactyla haddoni) that hosted saddleback clownfish (Amphiprion polymnus) mix in between the one meter tall (3 ft) seaweed. In my four trips to the Philippines this was the only placeI was ever able to photograph saddlebacks. On this trip I was hoping to capture some good digital photos and video of saddlebacks.

Atlantis Dive Resort, Dauin, Negros Oriental

After talking with the divemasters at Atlantis I was informed because of typhoon Pablo most of the sargassum had been covered by several feet of sand and I may no longer be able to find saddlebacks in the local marine preserve. Indeed, after several hours surveying the shallow water up and down the shoreline I was not able to find a single Haddon's carpet anemone and saddleback clownfish. Most of the sargassum was gone, but with so much new sand, a new colony of banded or zebra garden eels (Heteroconger polyzona) was found South of Atlantis in about 10 meters depth.

All photos and video were captured with either a Olympus Stylus Tough TG-2 or TG-3 waterproof camera. Click on the images in this article to view a large version.

Video of Taytay Bay, and South Negros Oriental

Apulit Island (Taytay Bay, Palawan), South Negros Oriental, and Apo Island, Philippines. Recorded by Tony Griffitts April and May 2015 with an Olympus Tough Stylus TG-3 underwater camera. Music by Medwyn Goodall, Album: Nazca, Land of the Incas, Titles: Powder Ice; Kacharpaya.

Taytay Bay, Palawan
Apulit Island

Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Isla Banca

Isla Banca, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Nabat Island

Nabat Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Choerodon schoenleinii

Choerodon schoenleinii (Blackspot tuskfish), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Amphiprion sandaracinos

Amphiprion sandaracinos (orange skunk clownfish) with Stichodactyla mertensii (Merten's carpet anemone), Nabat Island coral garden, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Christmas tree worms

Christmas tree worms, Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Labracinus cyclophthalmus

Labracinus cyclophthalmus (fire-tail dottyback), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Tridacna crocea

Tridacna crocea (Boring Clam), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Acropora sp. (table coral)

Acropora sp. (table coral), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Taeniura lymma

Taeniura lymma (blue-spotted ribbontail stingray), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Unidentified wrasse

Unidentified wrasse, Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus

Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus (Vermiculated Angelfish), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Unidentified filefish

Unidentified filefish, Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Barrel sponge

Barrel sponge, Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Diagramma melanacrum

Diagramma melanacrum (blacktip sweetlips), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Plagiotremus rhinorhychos

Plagiotremus rhinorhychos (bluestriped fangblenny), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Chrysiptera parasema

Chrysiptera parasema (yellow tail blue damselfish), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Premnas biaculeatus, Entacmaea quadricolor

Premnas biaculeatus (maroon clownfish) with Entacmaea quadricolor (orange tipped bubble anemone), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Acropora sp.

Acropora sp. (pink table coral), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Premnas biaculeatus, Entacmaea quadricolor

Premnas biaculeatus (Maroon Clownfish) with Entacmaea quadricolor (Bubble Anemone), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Sphyraena barracuda

Sphyraena barracuda (great barracuda), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Hippopus hippopus (Bear Paw Clam)

Hippopus hippopus (bear paw clam), Apulit Island, Palawan, Philippines.

Porites lobata

Unidentified goby on Porites lobata (lobe coral), Apulit Island, Palawan, Philippines.

Amphiprion ocellaris (ocellaris clownfish) with Stichodactyla gigantea (giant carpet anemone)

Amphiprion ocellaris (ocellaris clownfish) with Stichodactyla gigantea (giant carpet anemone), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Chaetodon vagabundus

Chaetodon vagabundus (vagabond butterflyfish), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Amphiprion ocellaris (ocellaris clownfish) with Stichodactyla gigantea (giant carpet anemone)

Amphiprion ocellaris (ocellaris clownfish) with Stichodactyla gigantea (giant carpet anemone), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Sabellastarte spectabilis

Sabellastarte spectabilis (featherduster worm), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Lutjanus carponotatus

Lutjanus carponotatus (spanish flag snapper), Apulit Island, Palawan, Philippines.

Premnas biaculeatus

Premnas biaculeatus (maroon clownfish) with Entacmaea quadricolor (green tipped bubble anemone), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Lutjanus carponotatus

Lethrinus harak (Thumbprint emperor), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Gymnothorax melanospilos (black spotted moray)

Gymnothorax melanospilos (black spotted moray), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Congrogadus subducens

Congrogadus subducens (Carpet eel-blenny or green wolf eel), Apulit Island, West Beach, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Scarus rivalatus

Scarus rivalatus (surf parrotfish), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Phetusus angularis

Phetusus angularis (coral catfish), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Siganus vulpinus

Siganus vulpinus (Foxface Rabbifish), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Siganus corallinus

Siganus corallinus (blue-spotted rabbitfish), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Hippopus porcelanus (China clam)

Hippopus porcelanus (China clam), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Chaetodon adiergastos

Chaetodon adiergastos (Philippine panda butterflyfish), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Pomacentrus moluccensis

Pomacentrus moluccensis (lemon damsel), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Dascyllus melanurus

Dascyllus melanurus (four stripe damselfish), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Pomacentrus moluccensis

Pomacentrus moluccensis (lemon damsel), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Chaetodon speculum

Chaetodon speculum (Mirror butterflyfish). Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Apulit Island

Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Amphiprion sandaracinos

Amphiprion sandaracinos (orange skunk clownfish) and Dascyllus trimaculatus (domino damselfish) with Stichodactyla mertensii (Merten's carpet anemone), Nabat Island coral garden, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Acropora sp.

Acropora sp. (green table coral), Nabat Island coral garden, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Amphiprion clarkii

Amphiprion clarkii (Clark's clownfish) and Heteractis crispa (sebae anemone), Nabat Island coral garden, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Acanthaster planci

Acanthaster planci (crown-of-thorns starfish), Nabat Island coral garden, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Amphiprion sandaracinos

Amphiprion sandaracinos (orange skunk clownfish) with Stichodactyla mertensii (Merten's carpet anemone), Nabat Island coral garden, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Plerogyra sinuosa

Plerogyra sinuosa (bubble coral), Nabat Island coral garden, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Barrel sponge

Barrel sponge, Imbaladan Island (Isla Blanca), Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Amphiprion ocellaris

Amphiprion ocellaris (ocellaris clownfish) with Heteractis magnifica (ritteri or magnificent anemone), Imbaladan Island (Isla Blanca), Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Imbaladan Island (Isla Blanca)

Reef, Imbaladan Island (Isla Blanca), Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Tridacna derasa

Tridacna derasa (derasa clam), Imbaladan Island (Isla Blanca), Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Diadema setosum

Diadema setosum (black long spine sea urchin), uImbaladan Island (Isla Blanca), Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Entacmaea quadricolor

Entacmaea quadricolor (bubble anemone) hosting Amphiprion frenatus (tomato clownfish), Apulit Island Resort, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Premnas biaculeatus

Premnas biaculeatus (maroon clownfish) with Entacmaea quadricolor (bubble anemone), Apulit Island, Palawan, Philippines.

Opistognathus dendriticus

Opistognathus dendriticus (dendritic jawfish) is a very large Jawfish on the house reef of Apulit Island Resort, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Amphiprion ocellaris

Amphiprion ocellaris (ocellaris clownfish) with Stichodactyla gigantea (giant carpet anemone), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Platax orbicularis

Platax orbicularis (orbicular batfish), Apulit Island, Palawan, Philippines.

Tridacna maxima

Tridacna maxima (maxima clam), Apulit Island Resort, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Phyllidia sp.

Phyllidia sp. (unidentified species of nudibranch), Apulit Island Resort, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Caesio teres (yellow and blueback fusilier) with Caesio caerulaurea (scissortail fusilier)

Caesio teres (yellow and blueback fusilier) with Caesio caerulaurea (scissortail fusilier), Magbautoc (Noah Noah) Island, Lopez reef, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Caesio teres (yellow and blueback fusilier) with Caesio caerulaurea (scissortail fusilier)

Caesio teres (yellow and blueback fusilier) with Caesio caerulaurea (scissortail fusilier), Magbautoc (Noah Noah) Island, Lopez reef, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Pomacanthus xanthometopon

Pomacanthus xanthometopon (blue face angel), Magbautoc (Noah Noah) Island, Lopez Reef, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Caesio teres (yellow and blueback fusilier) with Caesio caerulaurea (scissortail fusilier)

Heteractis magnifica (ritteri anemone) hosting Amphiprion ocellaris (ocellaris clownfish), Magbautoc (Noah Noah) Island, Lopez Reef, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Heteractis magnifica

Heteractis magnifica (ritteri anemone) hosting Amphiprion ocellaris (ocellaris clownfish), Magbautoc (Noah Noah) Island, Lopez Reef, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Eretmochelys imbricata (Hawksbill Sea Turtle)

Eretmochelys imbricata (hawksbill sea turtle), Apulit Island, Palawan, Philippines.

Epinephelus merra

Epinephelus merra (honeycomb grouper), Apulit Island, Palawan, Philippines.

Premnas biaculeatus

Premnas biaculeatus (maroon clownfish), Apulit Island, Palawan, Philippines.

Arothron nigropunctatus

Arothron nigropunctatus (dog-face puffer), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Tridacna derasa

Tridacna derasa (southern giant clam), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

purple Acropora sp.

A purple Acropora sp. (staghorn coral) provide shelter for a large colony of Archamia (Taeniamia) zosterophora (girdled cardinalfish), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides

Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides (harlequin or clown sweetlips), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Neopetrolisthes ohshimai

Neopetrolisthes ohshimai (porcelain anemone crab) with Stichodactyla gigantea (giant carpet anemone), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Amphiprion clarkii (Clark's clownfish) go between a Stichodactyla mertensii (Merten's carpet) and  a Entacmaea quadricolor (bubble anemone)

Amphiprion clarkii (Clark's clownfish) go between a Stichodactyla mertensii (Merten's carpet) and a Entacmaea quadricolor (bubble anemone). A Amphiprion sandaracinos (orange skunk clownfish) also shares the carpet anemone. Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Ecsenius tricolor

Ecsenius tricolor (tricolor blenny), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Amphiprion frenatus

Entacmaea quadricolor (bubble anemone) hosting Amphiprion frenatus (tomato clownfish), Apulit Island, Taytay Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

Negros Oriental, Kookoos Nest, Apo Is., Atlantis
Fistularia commersonii

Fistularia commersonii (smooth flute-mouth), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Macrodactyla doreensis

Macrodactyla doreensis (long tentacle anemone) with Amphiprion clarkii (Clark's clownfish), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Coris gaimard

Coris gaimard (juvenile yellowtail coris wrasse), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Melichthys vidua

Melichthys vidua (pinktail triggerfish), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Centropyge vrolikii

Centropyge vrolikii (half black angelfish), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Nembrotha lineolata

Nembrotha lineolata (nudibranch), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Thor amboinensis

Thor amboinensis (sexy shrimp) are commonly seen around Cryptodendrum adhaesivum (adhesive, or pizza anemone), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Cryptodendrum adhaesivum

Cryptodendrum adhaesivum (adhesive anemone), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Chaetodon lunulatus

Chaetodon lunulatus (Oval Butterflyfish), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Feather duster

Feather duster, Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Arothron nigropunctatus

Arothron nigropunctatus (dog-face puffer), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Macrodactyla doreensis

Macrodactyla doreensis (long tentacle anemone) with Amphiprion clarkii (Clark's clownfish), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Aulostomus chinensis

Aulostomus chinensis (Chinese trumpetfish), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Scolopsis bilineata

Scolopsis bilineata (two-lined monocle bream), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Protoreaster nodosus

Protoreaster nodosus (chocolate chip sea star), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Phyllorhiza punctata

Phyllorhiza punctata (spotted jellyfish), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Unidentified sea star

Unidentified sea star, Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Phyllorhiza punctata

Phyllorhiza punctata (spotted jellyfish), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Unidentified sea urchin

Unidentified sea urchin, Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Phyllorhiza punctata

Sabellastarte sp. (feather duster worms), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Syngnathoides biaculeatus

Syngnathoides biaculeatus (alligator pipefish), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Corythoichthys haematopterus

Corythoichthys haematopterus (messmate pipefish), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Heteractis malu

Green Heteractis malu (malu anemone), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Periclimenes brevicarpalis

Periclimenes brevicarpalis (white spot anemone shrimp) with Stichodactyla gigantea (giant carpet anemone), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Linckia laevigata

Linckia laevigata (blue linckia starfish), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Canthigaster bennetti

Canthigaster bennetti (Bennett's puffer), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Corythoichthys haematopterus

Corythoichthys haematopterus (messmate pipefish), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Corythoichthys haematopterus

Corythoichthys haematopterus (messmate pipefish), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Myrichthys colubrinus

Myrichthys colubrinus (banded snake eel), Southeast of Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Myrichthys colubrinus

Myrichthys colubrinus (banded snake eel), Southeast of Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Gymnothorax thyrsoideus

Gymnothorax thyrsoideus (white-eye moray eel), Southeast of Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Amphiprion frenatus

A rare red Entacmaea quadricolor (bubble anemone) with Amphiprion frenatus (tomato clownfish), Southeast of Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Arothron manilensis

Arothron manilensis (Striped Puffer), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Philinopsis gardineri

Philinopsis gardineri (Gardiner's headshield sea slug/nudibranch), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Chrysiptera cyanea

Chrysiptera cyanea (blue damselfish), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Phyllidia sp.

Phyllidia sp. (unidentified species of nudibranch), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Dendrochirus zebra

Dendrochirus zebra (dwarf zebra lionfish), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Arothron hispidus

Arothron hispidus (stars and stripes puffer), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Purple Heteractis malu

Purple Heteractis malu (malu anemone), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Arothron hispidus

Nembrotha kubaryana (nudibranch), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Dendrochirus zebra

Dendrochirus zebra (dwarf zebra lionfish), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Phyllidia varicosa

Phyllidia varicosa (nobbed nudibranch), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Zanclus cornutus

Zanclus cornutus (moorish idol), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Tridacna maxima

Tridacna maxima (maxima clam), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Laticauda colubrina

Laticauda colubrina (banded sea snake/krait), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Laticauda colubrina

Laticauda colubrina (banded sea snake/krait), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Kookoo's Nest

Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Heteractis crispa

Heteractis crispa (sebae anemone) hosting Amphiprion perideraion (pink skunk clownfish), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Heniochus varius

Heniochus varius (humphead heniochus), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Amphiprion perideraion

Amphiprion perideraion (pink skunk clownfish) with Heteractis crispa (sebae anemone), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Amphiprion clarkii

Amphiprion clarkii (Clark's clownfish) with Heteractis aurora (beaded anemone), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Chaetodon vagabundus

Chaetodon vagabundus (vagabond butterflyfish), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Chaetodon baronessa

Chaetodon baronessa (Easter triangular butterflyfish), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Ceriathus filiformis

Ceriathus filiformis (purple tube anemone), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Amphiprion perideraion

Amphiprion perideraion (pink skunk clownfish) with Heteractis crispa (sebae anemone), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Sphyraena barracuda

Juvenile Sphyraena barracuda (great barracuda), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Heteractis aurora

Amphiprion clarkii (Clark's clownfish) with Heteractis aurora (beaded anemone), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Gymnothorax thyrsoideus

Gymnothorax thyrsoideus (white-eye moray eel), Southeast of Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Stenopus hispidus

Stenopus hispidus (coral banded shrimp), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Amphiprion perideraion

Heteractis crispa (sebae anemone) hosting Amphiprion perideraion (pink skunk clownfish), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Crinoid

Crinoid (feather starfish), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Actinodendron plumosum

Actinodendron plumosum (Hell's fire sand sea anemone), Kookoo's Nest, South Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Anampses meleagrides

Anampses meleagrides (Yellowtail Wrasse), Apo Island, Philippines.

Chelonia mydas

Chelonia mydas (green sea turtle), Apo Island, Philippines.

Chelonia mydas

Chelonia mydas (green sea turtle) with a couple of Echeneis naucrates (remora), Apo Island, Philippines.

Laticauda colubrina

Laticauda colubrina (banded sea snake/krait), Apo Island, Philippines.

Stichodactyla mertensii

Amphiprion sandaracinos (orange skunk clownfish) with Stichodactyla mertensii (Merten's carpet anemone), Apo Island, Philippines.

Siganus vulpinus

Siganus vulpinus (Foxface Rabbifish), Apo Island, Philippines.

Chlorurus bowersi

Chlorurus bowersi (Bower's parrotfish), Apo Island, Philippines.

Centropyge bicolor

A lone Centropyge bicolor (bicolor angelfish) was spotted on the reef of Apo Island, Philippines. Bicolor angelfish are not common on the reefs in the Visayas region.

Chaetodon unimaculatus

Chaetodon unimaculatus (teardrop butterflyfish), Apo Island, Philippines.

Chaetodon lunula

Chaetodon lunula (racoon butterflyfish), Apo Island, Philippines.

Naso lituratus

Naso lituratus (naso tang), Apo Island, Philippines.

Laticauda colubrina

Laticauda colubrina (banded sea snake/krait), Apo Island, Philippines.

Chaetodon melannotus

Chaetodon melannotus (blackback butterflyfish), Apo Island, Philippines.

Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus

Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus (Vermiculated Angelfish) are common in Palawan, but not in the Visayas region where this photo was taken. Apo Island, Philippines.

Abudefduf vaigiensis

Abudefduf vaigiensis (Indo-Pacific sergeant major damselfish), Apo Island, Philippines.

Canthigaster valentini

Canthigaster valentini (Valentinni's sharpnose puffer), Apo Island, Philippines.

Heteractis crispa

Heteractis crispa (sebae anemone) hosting Amphiprion perideraion (pink skunk clownfish), Atlantis Dive Resort house reef, Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Acanthurus lineatus

Acanthurus lineatus (clown tang or surgeonfish), Atlantis Dive Resort house reef, Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Echidna nebulosa

Echidna nebulosa (snowflake moray), Atlantis Dive Resort house reef, Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Acanthurus lineatus

Acanthurus lineatus (clown tang or surgeonfish), Atlantis Dive Resort house reef, Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Entacmaea quadricolor

Entacmaea quadricolor (bubble anemone) hosting Amphiprion frenatus (tomato clownfish), Atlantis Dive Resort house reef, Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Ctenochaetus striatus

Ctenochaetus striatus (striated bristletooth tang), Atlantis Dive Resort house reef, Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Thalassoma lutescens

This is the only Thalassoma lutescens (female sunset/banana wrasse) I have ever photographed on a Philippine reef. It's close relative Thalassoma lunare (lunar wrasse) are common. Atlantis Dive Resort house reef, Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Ostracion meleagris

Ostracion meleagris (male white-spotted boxfish), Atlantis Dive Resort house reef, Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Scorpaenopsis diabolus

Scorpaenopsis diabolus (green false stonefish or devil scorpionfish), Atlantis Dive Resort house reef, Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Dendrochirus zebra

Dendrochirus zebra (Dwarf Zebra Lionfish), Atlantis Dive Resort house reef, Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Forcipiger flavissimus

Forcipiger flavissimus (long-nose butterflyfish), Atlantis Dive Resort house reef, Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Trichonotus setiger

Trichonotus setiger(?) (blue-spotted sand diver), Atlantis Dive Resort house reef, Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Panulirus vesicolor

Panulirus vesicolor (blue spiny lobster), Atlantis Dive Resort house reef, Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines.