Marine life in the Andaman Sea
Ultimate Marine Life guide to Mergui Archipelago
Myanmar has a large area of the Andaman Sea, made up by Mergui Archipelago and the Burma Banks is also very rich in Marine life.
We have been diving in Burma since 2012 and I wrote quite a few blogposts about the critters we encountered here.
I wanted to share on this page the Ultimate Marine Life guide to Mergui Archipelago linking to the articles we wrote about all these wonderful critters!
We have been diving in Burma since 2012 and I wrote quite a few blogposts about the critters we encountered here.
I wanted to share on this page the Ultimate Marine Life guide to Mergui Archipelago linking to the articles we wrote about all these wonderful critters!
SharksWe have quite a few kind of sharks in Myanmar:
Whale shark Tiger shark White and black tip reef sharks Silver tip sharks Leopard / zebra sharks |
RaysManta rays are not the only rays present in Mergui Archipelago. We also have:
Blue spotted sting rays Marble blotched sting rays Eagle Rays Long nez et Bowmouth poissons guitare Shark and rays are also accompanied by cobias and remoras Voici un blogpost en Anglais sur les raies we see most in Myanmar: |
CephalopodsSeveral kind of cephalopods can be seen in Myanmar:
common octopus, Pharaoh Cuttlefish Schooling squids Pygmy squids |
Schooling FishesMergui Archipelago has many kinds of schooling fish:
the tornado of barracudas puppy-curious batfish (orbicular and shaded) hunting big eye trevallies yellowtail and yellowback fusiliers Sergeant major, goat fish Rainbow runners, moorish idols Crocodile needle fish, Rabbitfish, Surgeonfish, Butterflyfish, triggerfish, hundred of kinds of snappers emperors, squirelfish, and parrotfish |
Moray and other EelsMoray eels are very common in Mergui Archipelago and you will mostly see:
white eyed moray, fimbriated giant morays (some really huge) Honey comb morays (mostly at the Burma Banks) anded snake eels ribbon eels Garden eels |
Frog Fishes and other territorial reef fish Master of disguise, the frogfish could be looking at you on each of your dives in Myanmar.
Damselfishes inhabit ever anemone: tomato clownfish, false clownfish, clarks anemonefish. Golden, Humburg and blue Damsel, Rounded and fine-spotted Porcupinefish, Giant pufferfish. Hawkfish, Trumpetfish, Razorfish, groupers, wrasses, boxfish Emperor/ regal/ Andaman Angelfish Lizardfish and Crocodile fish, Comet longfins, cardinal fish, sweetlip many types of gobies and fairy basslet. |
Shrimps and crabsThe Harlequin shrimp is on the list of many divers and underwater photographers. Spiny lobsters, dormant lobsters, Durban shrimp, Mantis shrimp, boxer shrimp, (anemone and crinoid) commensal shrimp, imperator shrimp (on Spanish dancers), sarong marbled shrimp, squat shrimp, serpentine shrimp.
Porcelain crabs, spider crabs, sponge crabs, hermit crabs, orangutan crabs and many other crustaceans are found in the Mergui Archipelago. |
Nudibranch & mollusksWe have a very large array of nudibranches, flat worms, sea slugs, cowries and snails in Myanmar such as the Spanish dancer above but also the popular Bornella Anguilla
Many halgerda and grossodoris slugs as well as the piccachu nudibranch (Thecacera pacifica).
You'll see giant clams, Oysters, conch, tiger cowries, soft coral cowrie, cone shells and much more... |
Coral species, sea stars and moreYou will be amazed by the coral reef of Myanmar as most dive sites are limestone covered by a rainbow of tree, cauliflower and broccoli soft corals. You can also see hard coral formations (giant mounts of massive coral), pale staghorn or solid table coral as well as the very photogenic giant seafans, knotted fan coral, whip and spiral black corals.
You will also find in the landscape many types of sponges, anemone, Sea stars, basket stars, bushy feather stars crinoid, sea cucumbers and sea urchins. |
Scorpion fishScorpion fishes are ambush predators relying on their preys getting close-by. You will see several kinds of
lion fishes as well as the well hidden stone fish and so many bearded and devil scorpion fish. 
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ReptilesHawkbill turtles are the most commonly sighted in Burma.
But you can also spot green turtles and banded sea crait (sea snakes) on a regular basis. 
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Seahorses and pipefishesAs you may guess from our name, we are seahorses and related pipefish families.
Tiger tail seahorses, spiny seahorses ornate ghost pipefish, Orange spotted pipefish , Bend stick pipe fish, Cleaner pipefish and more... 
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Marine life in the Andaman Sea is very rich, especially when diving in Myanmar where marine life is diversified and abundant and no coral has been broken like in other over crowded tourism spots. What set Mergui Archipelago and Burma Banks apart from other scuba diving destinations rich in Marine life is the fact you can be alone on every dive site and I'm sure that like us, you will LOVE IT!
It's the best moment to book your dream diving holiday! Check our disponibilities today!
