Melanesia Collection (page 14)

Freakled hawkfish sits on some Acropora coral on a Fijian reef
Freakled hawkfish (Paracirrhites forsteri) sits on some Acropora coral on a Fijian reef

Chromodoris Lochi nudibranch, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Diver and schooling anthias fish and healthy corals of Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Mimic filefish Beqa Lagoon, Fiji
Mimic filefish (Paraluteres prionurus), Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

A pair of racoon butterflyfish swimming in Fiji waters
A pair of racoon butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunula) swimming in Fiji waters

Detailed view of soft coral revealing the spicules that give stability to its form, Fiji

Hypselodoris bullockii nudibranch on coral, Solomon Islands
Bullocks hypselodoris (Hypselodoris bullockii) on coral, Solomon Islands

A velvet ghost pipefish amongst colorful coral
A velvet ghost pipefish (Solenostomus sp.), violet in colour amongst colorful coral, Solomon Islands

A diver explores the wreck of a Japanese Maru warship, Solomon Islands
A diver looks on at an anti-aircraft gun still pointing defiantly at the sky on the wreck of a Japanese Maru warship sunk during during World War 2, Morovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands

Anthias fish and soft corals, Fiji, Pacific Ocean

Soft coral and sea fan, Fiji

Sea fans and crinoid, Fiji

Close-up of tree coral on a Fijian reef

A large red gorgonian sea fan and black crinoid, Fiji
A large red gorgonian sea fan and black crinoid, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Orange tree coral on a Fijian reef
Orange tree coral (Dendronephthya) on a Fijian reef

Popcorn Shrmp on an anenome on a Fijian Reef
Popcorn shrmp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis) on an anenome on a Fijian Reef

Hawksbill turtle glides over the pristine reefs in Fiji

Fish swarm over a shipwreck that is covered in elephant ear sponge
Fish including bluefin trevally (Caranx melampygus), swarm over a shipwreck that is covered in elephant ear sponge, Solomon Islands

Diver and sea fans, Fiji

School of moorish idols and yellowtail fusiliers, Fiji
School of moorish idols (Zanclus cornutus) and yellowtail fusiliers swim along a coral drop off, Fiji

Cinnamon Clownfish in its host anemone
Cinnamon Clownfish (Amphiprion melanopus) in its host anemone

A beautiful nudibranch feeds on algae, Fiji

Swarms of small baitfish swim above a large sea anenome, Fiji

Clear waters surround a remote island in Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Clear, warm waters surround a remote island in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This beautiful region is known as the heart of the Coral Triangle and harbors more marine organisms than anywhere else on Earth

Leather corals grow in the shallow waters in the Solomon Islands, Melanesia. This region, in the eastern part of the Coral Triangle

A soft coral colony grows on a shipwreck off the island of Guadalcanal
A beautiful soft coral colony grows on a shipwreck off the island of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands

Longnose hawkfish, Solomon Islands
Longnose hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus) amongst soft coral at a depth of 10 metres, Solomon Islands

A slightly bleached staghorn coral colony in the Solomon Islands
A slightly bleached staghorn coral colony grows in shallow water in the Solomon Islands. This Melanesian region is known for its spectacular marine biodiversity

A crown-of-thorns starfish feeds on a table coral
A crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) feeds on a table coral on a reef in the Solomon Islands. This region, in the eastern part of the Coral Triangle

Imperator Commensal Shrimp on Eyed Sea Cucumber
Imperator Commensal Shrimp (Periclimenes imperator) on Eyed Sea Cucumber (Bohadschia argus), Fiji

A scuba diver swims past a large yellow gorgonian fan, Fiji
An underwater photographer swims past a large yellow gorgonian fan with a bed of red soft corals beneath it, Fiji

A bull shark turns sharply to avoid the photographer, Fiji

A diver looks on at sea fans, Solomon Islands
A diver looks on at sea fans (Subergorgia sp.), Solomon Islands

A diver explores the wreck of a U. S. truck, Solomon Islands
A diver explores the wreck of a U.S. truck dumped at the end of World War 2, Solomon Islands

Lochs chromodoris nudibranch amongst coral. Solomons
Lochs chromodoris (Chromodoris lochi) amongst coral, depth 12 metres, Florida Islands, Solomons

A bigscale soldierfish, Fiji
A bigscale soldierfish (Myripristis berndti), Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

A velvet ghost pipefish, Solomon Islands
A velvet ghost pipefish (Solenostomus sp.), grey in colour, Solomon Islands

Diver swimms above soft coral, Fiji

Small grouper, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Phyllidia coelestis nudibranch on blue background, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Shrimp goby stands guard at the entrance of its hole, Fiji

Close-up of a popcorn shrmp on an anemone
Close-up of a popcorn shrmp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis) on an anenome on a Fijian Reef

Teardrop Butterflyfish swim within a protective coral arch, Fiji

A blue ribbon eel displays its open mouth to the photographer, Fiji
A beautiful Ribbon Eel displays its open mouth to the photographer, Fiji

Large plate coral or Acropora pulchra, Fiji

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Melanesia, a captivating region in the South Pacific, is home to an array of breathtaking wonders. Among them is the magnificent Ornithoptera alexandrae, also known as Queen Alexandra's birdwing butterfly. Its vibrant colors and graceful flight make it a true gem of Melanesian biodiversity. Venturing into the rainforests of New Caledonia, one may encounter the striking Kagu with its crest erect. This unique bird species showcases its beauty amidst lush greenery, reminding us of the rich diversity found within these pristine habitats. Exploring beneath Melanesia's azure waters reveals another fascinating creature—the Bull Shark in Fiji. Known for their formidable presence and adaptability to both saltwater and freshwater environments, they command respect as one of nature's most impressive predators. In West Papua, Indonesia lies an underwater spectacle that seems straight out of a discotheque—the Electric fileclam or Disco clam (Ctenoides ales). Its mesmerizing light display captivates all who witness it, adding yet another layer to Melanesia's natural marvels. The Western clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) finds solace among the tentacles of the Magnificent sea anemone (Heteractis magnifica), forming a symbiotic relationship that exemplifies harmony in this aquatic paradise. Delving deeper into Melanesian waters unveils an enigmatic creature—the Bigfin squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana). Hovering effortlessly above open water, its portrait evokes wonder and curiosity about what other mysteries lie hidden below. Beyond its awe-inspiring wildlife, Melanesia boasts historical significance too. With cartography at heart—represented by compass roses on maps—it has been intricately linked to navigation across vast oceans like the Indian Ocean. The Mercator projection aids our understanding of this vast region's geography while highlighting Melanesia's place on Earth’s tapestry. Melanesia's cultural tapestry is equally captivating.