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Common bannerfish vs schooling bannerfish vs moorish idol

29/9/2021

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Banner fish and Moorish idol are common but oh so pretty tropical fish living in the Andaman Sea and other warm oceans. But did you know there are two kind of bannerfish and how to tell one from the other?
Common bannerfish vs schooling bannerfish vs moorish idol

Fish identification : Longfin bannerfish VS schooling bannerfish VS Morrish Idol…​

​1. The Moorish Idol, Zanclus cornutus

The Moorish idol (aka  Zanclus cornutus) is the easiest to tell appart; with its classic shape and long pointed nose was featured in the Pixar movie Finding Nemo. With its exotic appearance and mystical name, it inspires a feeling of warm and relaxed tropical reefs. 
​
They were originally classified as a type of butterflyfish. Fossils of similar extinct species have been found and the species now has her own family, the Moorish idols are the only surviving member of the Zanclidae family…

The Chaetodontidae are very colourful fishes that are popular with divers and aquarists. The family consists of ten genera with about 120 species. They mostly inhabit coral reefs but some have become adapted to temperate and deep waters.
The Moorish Idol, Zanclus cornutus
The Moorish Idol, Zanclus cornutus
The Moorish Idol
Distinctive features: The body of Moorish idols is circular in shape and very narrow in width. The dorsal spines are elongated backwards in a filament that lengthens as the fish ages and lags behind while swimming. It has a protruding tube like a nose that puckers up at the end.
The mouth has a yellow saddle above and bristle-shaped teeth. The main colour of the body is white with alternating bands of black and pale-yellow bars. The eyes are set high away from the mouth and in adults there are bumps above the eye.
Where do moorish idols live?
 
Often seen alone, Moorish idols also form pairs or occasionally small schools, especially juveniles. They are diurnal fish, sticking to the bottom of the reef at night, adopting a drab coloration. Generally, Moorish idols prefer flat reefs and shallow waters.
Their habitats are East Africa, the Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf and the Ducie Islands; Hawaii, southern Japan, and all of Micronesia; they are also found from the southern Gulf of California to the south Peru.

There are two types of bannerfish in the Indian Ocean

Bannerfish, are members of the butterflyfish family (Chaetodontidae).  While both types can be encountered when diving Thailand or Myanmar, we see the schooling bannerfish more often then the "common" bannerfish. They are very difficult to tell one from the other but usually if they are schooling they are Heniochus diphreutes while if they are alone or no more than three individuals, they are usually Heniochus acuminatus.

2. The schooling bannerfish, Heniochus diphreute

Heniochus diphreutes, is the gregarious kind and very rarely seen alone hence why it is commonly called Schooling bannerfish. Some divers also name him false moorish idol.
The schooling bannerfish, Heniochus diphreutes
The schooling bannerfish, Heniochus diphreutes
Distinctive features: The first 3 rays of the dorsal fin are very small and black color. They are followed by a very long 4th ray (the same length as the body), white, which forms a "whip".
The body is white with 2 large vertical black bands. The first begins in front of the dorsal fin, crosses the insertion zone of the pectorals and continues until the end of the pelvic and on the anterior margin of the anal. This black area overflows on the base of the whip. The second black band goes from the base of the dorsal, just behind the whip, and goes down to the anal fin, which it covers only in its posterior part, reaching its tip.
A black area connects the 2 eyes through the forehead. A black spot is also present on the muzzle, which is pointed and ended in a small mouth.
The base of the pectoral fins is black then the rays are yellow. The dorsal behind the whip and the caudal are yellow. The pelvic muscles are pointed.
schooling bannerfish in the similan
schooling bannerfish
Schooling bannerfish
Heniochus Diphreutes
Where do schooling bannerfish live?
 
The schooling bannerfish is widespread throughout the tropical, subtropical and temperate waters of the Indo-Pacific from the eastern coast of Africa, Red Sea, Polynesia and Hawaii and from south Japan to Kermadec Islands (New Zealand).
The schooling bannerfish prefers external reef slopes and channels. It has a large depth range and is usually observed at 5–30 m depth, but may reach 210 meters deep in some places.

​3. Heniochus acuminatus, aka long fin bannerfish

The Heniochus acuminatus, commonly known as the longfin bannerfish, reef bannerfish, pennant coralfish, or coachman, usually live alone, in pairs or in small group.
Long fin bannerfish and Moorish idol in the background
Longfin bannerfish (front) and Moorish idol (in the background)
Where do longfin bannerfish live?
 
The common bannerfish is present in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific basin, from the eastern coasts of Africa, the Red Sea included, to Polynesia and from southern Japan to the south of the Great Barrier Reef.
The longfin bannerfish appreciates the relatively deep waters of lagoons, channels and sheltered outer reef slopes 15 to 75 meters deep.
Distinctive features: The first rays of its dorsal fin stretch into a long white filament.
The body is white with two black vertical stripes. The head is white, the eyes are black and connected to each other by a black band. The muzzle, spotted with black, stretches forward with a small terminal protractile mouth. When they are young, they don't have a white area on the back.
Juvenile common bannerfish
Juvenile common bannerfish have barely no white between the yellow tail and the first dark band.
Here is an infographic to allow you to better see the differences between these 3 fish
The common bannerfish fish (h. diphreutes) can easily be confused with its congener the gregarious bannerfish (h. acumulatus).
​The most visible differences are: a longer muzzle for the common bannerfish, no yellow scales on its body, a rounder breast and yellow pectoral fins. On closer inspection, we will also recognize them at the tip of their anal fin. Check the common bannerfish the tip is two-colored, in the gregaire bannerfish the tip is white (the demarcation of black is a little higher)
Pennant fish (common bannerfish), schooling bannerfish, Morrish Idol... ​How to differentiate them?

Reed also...

The hawksbill turtle: the critically endangered sea turtle
​
Scorpion fish identification: stonefish vs devil vs scorpionfish
​
The cuttlefish : fish, alien or something else?
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The hawksbill turtle: the critically endangered sea turtle

22/9/2021

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The hawksbill turtles, presentation of an endangered species...
While critically endangered, The Hawksbill Turtles are the most frequently encountered turtles on our cruises, today let's learn about hawk-billed turtle or Eretmochelys imbricata...
​
All Sea Turtles, are cold-blooded creatures, belonging to the reptile family, just like snakes, crocodiles or dinosaurs!
1. Where can you see Hawkbill turtles?
2. How to tell Hawkbill turtles from the others?
3. What do Hawksbill turtles eat?
4. Hawksbill turtle reproduction
5. Is the hawksbill turtle threatened?

Where can you see Hawkbill turtles?

Hawk-billed turtle, the only representative of the genus Eretmochelys, lives in the subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. It is therefore quite possible to cross it in the Andaman Sea, in the midst of coral reefs. In Thailand, they can be seen both in the North Andaman (Surin and Similan islands) and South Andaman. 
Hawksbill turtles are amongst the smallest of the seven species of sea turtles. They measures between 76 and 89 cm and weighs an average of 40 to 69 kg.
​As a migratory species, they have a wide range of habitats, from the open ocean to lagoons and even mangroves in estuaries. In the early stages of their lives, like other young sea turtles, they live a pelagic life, staying at sea until they mature enough to settle down.
Adult hawksbill turtles are mainly found in tropical coral reefs.

How to tell Hawkbill turtles from the others?

Hawksbill turtles and green turtles, are both commonly seen in the Andaman Sea and hard to tell them apart at first sight. Here are a few tips to differentiate them:
Hawkbill turtle VS green turtle: Sea turtle identification infographic
How to identify the Hawksbill turtle

Sea Turtle's face identification:​ Hawksbill VS Green turtle

Hawksbill turtles have a beak, while green turtles have a round face. 
The hawksbill turtle has a hooked beak
The hawksbill turtle has a hooked beak
The green turtle's beak is rounded
The green turtle's beak is rounded
sea turtle identification, hawksbill head
Hawksbill turtle have 2 pairs of prefrontal scales
On top of their head, Hawkbills turtles have four little square in between their eye while green turtle have two. These squares are called prefrontale scales.
sea turtle identification, green turtle head
Green turtles have one pair of frontal scales
identify hawsbill turtle from the top of the head
Hawksbill turtles's nostrils are turned up
identify the head of a green turtle
Green turtles's nostrils are a lot more forward
The turtle's nose is also a good differentiation factor: those of Hawksbills looks upward, on top of their beak while green turtle's nose is forward, on the front of their face. When looking at a tutle from the front you would see the green's nostrils a lot more.

Sea Turtle's Shell identification:​ ​Hawksbill VS Green turtle

The carapace of the sea turtles are also a good way to tell them appart. The shape of the green turtle is rounder with squales next to each other and a soft edge, while the hawksbill turtle is more hear-shaped with squales overlapping each other and the edge is serrated, like a saw.
Beautiful green turtle carapace
Green turtle's shell has a soft edge and squales do not overlap
baby hawksbill on the left VS baby green turtle on the right
baby hawksbill on the left VS baby green turtle on the right
Hawkbill turtle shell
Hawksbill turtle shell has a serrated edge and squales overlap
Beautiful Hawkbill turtle by Franck Fogarolo
The carapace colour doesn't help identification but this carapace is serrated, means it is a Hawksbill

Sea Turtle's Flippers identification:​ ​Hawksbill VS Green turtle


​It is not often easy to spot but Hawksbill turtles forelimbs have two claws on each fin, while green turtles only display one.
​
The second claw is fairly small though and hard to notice.
Hawksbill turtles front flippers identification
Hawksbill turtles have two claws on their front flippers

Hawksbill turtle VS Green turtle identification:  belly shot

green turtle belly shot
Green turtle Belly
Hawksbill turtle belly
Hawksbill turtle belly
If you have a photo of a turtle from bellow and you are trying to find out if it is a green or a Hawkbill turtle, the shape will be your best friend.
The Hawksbill turtle has a longer neck, and serrated carapace (looks closely in between the two back flipper) you may also see its beak!

What do Hawksbill turtles eat?

The hawksbill turtle is one of the few animals known to feed on sponges and is the only known spongivorous reptile. This diet make them very important to avoid sponges overtaking the reef.
Turtles do not have teeth, but a powerful jaw and a hooked beak allowing it to “tear” its prey.
Hawksbill turtle eating sponge on the reef
Hawksbill turtles are omnivorous, beside sponges, they can also feed on anemones and jellyfish,  mollusks or sea urchins. Most of these are toxic but do not make them ill, it is however believed that their meat is poisonous to humans.

​​Small reminder: Turtles do not have teeth, but a powerful jaw and a hooked beak allowing it to “tear” its prey.

Hawksbill turtle reproduction

Like most sea turtles, Hawksbill live a solitary life meeting only for reproduction. This turtle mates and returns to the beach where it was born, every two or three years, to lay eggs...
The hawksbill turtle digs a hole in the sand at night where it lays more than a hundred eggs.  
After about two months, these eggs will hatch. The little ones will then have to try to get back to the ocean quickly, at they risk of being eaten by birds or crabs!
Did you know? The temperature of the nest during the 60 days incubation will determine the sex of the litter! Cooler sand leads to more males hatching and vice versa.

Is the hawksbill turtle threatened?

Yes ! The hawk-billed turtle is now critically endangered. They are believed to be the most endangered of the seven species of sea turtle, with only approximately 8,000 nesting females left globally. Its beautiful carapace has been used by jewellers and for home decoration for thousands of years. Ghost fishing, by catch and sea trash are also a major treat to these gorgeous animals.

It is estimated that millions of hawksbill turtles died in the 20th century due to carapace trade. Additionally, hawk-billed turtle eggs are still eaten across the globe, and turtles themselves are killed for their flesh.
Plastic bag floating in the sea...
Plastic bag floating in the sea...
Not only do we destroy the reefs they feed on, but they cannot find a quiet beach to lay their eggs anymore and many sea turtles dye eating plastic.
​
It is estimated that one in two turtles has already eaten plastic, a plastic bag that floats in water can be easily identified as a jellyfish by the turtle but is a lot harder to digest...

Picture

You want to know more about Sea turtles?
Read this too


​Green turtles have green flesh and other interesting facts about this wonderful sea turtle

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The corals of the Andaman Sea

8/9/2021

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The corals of the Andaman Sea
Colourful fishes have always been a favorite to tropical sea divers but have you taken a closer look at the gorgeous coral species that inhabit the Andaman Sea?  
Do you know what corals are? How coral grows to form the coral reefs (Planet earth largest living structures)  and why they are so important for our planet?
Contrary to common beliefs, corals are animals, not plants and surely neither rocks!
What you see above is actually a group of animal living under the same roof... developing over time like any living thing.

How do coral reefs form?

  1. Coral reefs release eggs and spermatozoa (gametes).
  2. After fertilisation (meeting of a male and female gamete), a ciliated larva called planula is formed.
  3. The larva will attach itself to a place favourable to its development and form a flat disc.
  4. A polyp will form and then bud (each polyp secretes a hard exoskeleton, made up of calcium carbonate, as well as an internal limestone skeleton that remains in place even after the death of the animal), to give what we know today like coral. 
​
The successive budding of the polyps makes it possible to continuously enlarge the coral colony which, over time, forms the reefs.

​The reefs are therefore made up of colonies of polyp corals held together by calcium carbonates. Note that polyps alone could not live and reproduce without their symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae algae. While the algae provides the animal with the necessary nutrients, the polyp releases carbon dioxide which allows the algae to develop and also to carry out photosynthesis which will give colour to corals in particular.
Here are the stages of the coral reef’s life cycle
Coral reef’s life cycle - coralworldvi.com
There are hundreds of species of corals! Most live in tropical seas with optimal conditions for their development: lots of light and a temperature between 25 and 30 ° C.

But then, how to differentiate coral species?

andaman sea coral reef
can you spot the stone fish on this nice coral reef?
The magnificent colours of the corals that we, divers, are lucky enough to admire, their shape or even their size allow them to be distinguished in particular.

Red, brown, yellow, green, blue, purple or even fluorescent ... the colour combinations of corals are infinite! Colours can often help divers distinguish one coral from another, but their shape is a better tell tail.

There are two main types of corals: Hard coral and Soft Coral
​

Hard coral species of the Andaman Sea

Hard coral are made of a rigid calcium carbonate (polyps' exoskeleton made out of limestone) and appear very much like rocks. When a polyp dies, their skeleton remains and new polyps grown on top of the last ones enlarging the coral one life at a time. Hence hard coral grows very slowly.
There are several categories of hard corals encountered in the Andaman Sea, each of these with many sub-categories and species.
Branching corals
Branching corals

Branching corals

  • Branching corals are made up of a multitude of branches often used as nurseries to keep the baby fish out of harmway.

Elkhorn & Staghorn Coral:

  • Elkhorn / Stahorn Corals resemble branched elk horns (Elkhorn corals) or deer (staghorn corals) which tend to protrude vertically with a large number of side branches.
Elkhorn / Stahorn Corals in Thailand andaman sea
Elkhorn / Stahorn Corals
Andaman Sea Encrusting corals identification
Encrusting corals

Encrusting coral

Encrusting corals form a crust on a substrate by spreading over their surface and thus create a thin coloured layer.
This is the perfect place for christmas tree worms and encrusting shells to settle.

Foliose corals:

Growing outward and only attached to the reef from their center "trunk", Foliose corals are often compared to heads of lettuce.
Picture

Massive corals

With a very slow growth (from 0.5 to 4.5 cm / year), these round-shaped corals bummies constitute "the pillars" of most reefs, in the Andaman Sea and beyond! They can reach massive sizes like the multi million years bummies depicted bellow from the Burma Banks.
Massive corals
Massive corals
agariciidae
platygyr brain coral mussidae

Mushroom Corals

Mushroom corals are fairly solitary corals. They can be found on the sand and do not attach to other corals. Made up of a single polyp, mushroom coral can reach 25 cm in diameter.
Picture
Mushroom corals
table corals of the andaman sea
Table corals

Table corals:

Table corals are easily recognisable thanks to their horizontal structure which gives them great stability and perfect hiding places for other animals of the Andaman Sea and a particularily appreciated nursery for butterfly fishes.

Bubble corals

Often mistaken for eggs, pollyps ressembles bubbles during the days which deflates at night to let the polyps feed. Despite their soft appearance, bubble corals have a "stony" structure and are hence classified as hard corals.
Bubble Coral, or Plerogyra sinuosa
Bubble Coral, or Plerogyra sinuosa

Orange Cup coral

Another nocturnal coral with fleshy appearance, the orange cup coral is indeed a hard coral. It is classified as ahermatypic, because it doesn't contribute to building the reef.
In fact it is a pretty invasive specie which spread quickly favouring on rocky walls and chasing away sponges and 
hydroids.
The polyps retract during the day and "blooms" at night covering the wall with beautiful yellow
"flowers". 
Next time you see them, make sure to look closely for the pretty yellow snails that feed from them. 
orange cup coral in thailand
Sun corals or orange cup coral
Cup corals are one of the most colourful hard coral specie on the Andaman Sea.

Soft Corals species in the Andaman Sea

Soft corals are easiest identified from hard coral because they do not have a hard skeleton. They also have 8 arms per polyp. 

Carnation corals

Carnation corals are soft corals that love curants, their amazing vibrant colours make them some of the favorites for underwater photographers.

Richelieu Rock is famous for the purple coloured carnation coral that covers the best dive site in Thailand.
Digitate corals
red whip coral in the front, bushy Carnation soft Coral behind and giant seafan in orange

Seafans

The Andaman Sea was gifted with several types of seafans, tall web-like fan structures in various colours. The most impressive is probably the Giant seafans (Anella mollis) which can reach 2 meters in diameter!
Andaman Sea Giant seafan
Giant seafan in the Andaman Sea

Why are corals important?

Not only are coral stunningly beautiful and giving the Andaman Sea its colours but they are so much more important than for background imagery! 
1- coral feed small critters and fish that feed the bigger ones, no coral= no more fish!
2- 500 million people make a living from coral reefs: from fisheries to tourism
3- coral reefs can reduce waves by 95% and could save the coastline from the damaging effects of tsunamis and storms
4- Coral reefs are also the lung of our planet! Generating half of our planet's oxygen and absorbing about a third of the carbon dioxide generated from fossil fuels usage.
Wonderful corals of the Andaman Sea
Wonderful corals of the Andaman Sea

Coral reefs are in danger! Help us make them last longer!

Coral reefs have already been reduced by more than 50% and our generation might be the last one to witness one of our planet's greatest treasure before it disappear.

OUR ACTIONS now will determine if our children will see it too.
​
The Smiling Seahorse is commited to ocean preservation, when you go diving, make sure to chose and eco friendly operator to reduce your ecological footprint.
due to accelerating global warming, more and more corals no longer regenerate and see the entire reef die small little by little!
coral bleaching due to ocean warming is one of the many treats to coral reefs
The Smiling Seahorse's promises
  • to abides by Green fins  principles
  • to encourage environmentally responsible diving practices
  • to reduce/ reuse/ recycle as much as we can, especially plastics
  • to offer reef friendly amenities: such as our refillable organic, reef-safe Soap, Shampoo and hair conditioner.
  • to ask all our employees to help in ocean conservation efforts
  • ​To support marine science research and clean up projects
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    The Smiling Seahorse Diving Blog

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