Melanesia Collection (page 16)

Fijian dive guide feeds a school of Scissortail Sergeant Major fish, Fiji

Titan triggerfish picking at coral, Solomon Islands
Titan triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens) picking at coral with Barracuda school visible in background, Solomon Islands

A coral reef grows in shallow water in the Solomon Islands
A colorful coral reef grows in shallow water in the Solomon Islands. This Melanesian region is known for its spectacular marine biodiversity

A diver explores the Lerus Cut underwater cavern, Solomons
A diver explores the amazing underwater cavern known as Lerus Cut, Russell Islands, Solomons

Sea fans, Fiji

Nudibranch, Fiji

Commensal shrimp, Fiji

Golden damselfish swimming in soft coral, Fiji

Phyllidia coelestis nudibranch, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

A beautiful flatworm feeds on algae, Fiji

Lemon Shark chomps down on a large tuna head, Fiji

A black and yellow ornate ghost pipefish against coral
A black and yellow ornate ghost pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus) pictured against coral, Russell Islands, Solomons

Ruffled nudibranch on coral, Solomons
Nudibranch (Glossodoris hikuerensis) on coral at a depth of 10 metres, Florida Islands, Solomons

A flabellina nudibranch amongst coral
A flabellina nudibranch (Flabellina exoptata) amongst coral at a depth of 10 metres, Florida Islands, Solomons

Sea fan, Fiji

Golden damselfish, side view, Fiji

Small lizardfish, Fiji
Small lizardfish (Synodus variegatus), Fiji

A large gorgonian sea fan on a Fijian reef

Juvenille lionfish hides in an inshore Fijian weed bed
Juvenille lionfish hides in the shallows of an inshore Fijian weed bed

A Phyllidiella pustulosa nudibrnch grazes on coral encrusted by algae, Fiji

A bull shark picks up a large tuna head off of the reef floor, Fiji
A bull shark swoops and picks up one of the many large tuna heads laying on the reef floor, Fiji

Hawksbill turtle resting on a reef outcrop, Solomon Islands
Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) resting on a reef outcrop, with rebreather diver looking on, Solomon Islands

Hairy squat lobster on pink sponge, Solomon Islands
Hairy squat lobster (Lauriea siagiani) on pink sponge, Solomon Islands

Whip-coral goby on common wire coral
Whip-coral goby (Bryaninops yongei) on common wire coral (Cirrhipathes anguina), Solomon Islands

A massive barrel sponge grows n the Solomon Islands
A massive barrel sponge grows on a steep dropoff in the Solomon Islands. This Melanesian region is known for its spectacular marine biodiversity

Hard coral and soft coral seascape, Fiji

Kleins butterflyfish swmming in Fiji
Kleins butterflyfish (Chaetodon Kleinii), Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Gymnodoris ceylonica nudibranch, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

A small Ambon chromis swimming amongst coral in Fiji
A small Ambon chromis (Chromis amboinensis) swimming amongst coral in Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Soft coral on a Fijian reef

Popcorn shrimp on an anenome on a Fijian Reef
Popcorn shrimp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis) on an anenome on a Fijian Reef

A diver looks on at a colorful reef with sea fans, Solomon Islands
A diver looks on at a very colorful reef near Marovo lagoon, with large gorgonian sea fans (Subergorgia sp.) of various bright colours, Solomon Islands

Staghorn corals thrive on a reef in the Solomon Islands
Staghorn corals thrive on a healthy reef in the Solomon Islands. This part of Melanesia is known for its high marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers

Cabbage Coral amongst other corals in the South Pacific Ocean, Fiji
Cabbage Coral (Turbinaria reniformis) stands out amongst the other soft and hard corals in the South Pacific ocean waters off the coast of Likuri Island, Fiji

Sea fan and soft coral, Fiji

Ornate ghost pipefish, Fiji

Diver and soft coral, Fiji

Sea cucumber feeding on algae
Sea cucumber (Bohadschia graeffei) feeding on algae, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Phyllidia ocellata nudibranch, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

An inquisitive octopus in a Fijian reef

Regal angelfish swimming in waters off of Fiji
Regal angelfish (Pygoplites diacanthus), Fiji

Detailed close-up view of soft coral polyps, Fiji

A Tiger Shark consumes a large tuna head hand-fed by a local Fijian diver
A 10 foot Tiger Shark consumes a large tuna head that was hand-fed by a local Fijian dive guide

A large silvertip shark, Fiji
A large silvertip shark comes in close to look at the photographer, Fiji

Leaf Scorpionfish stretching its pectoral fins to support itself on the reef, Fiji

Close-up view of a nudibranch feeding on the reef, Fiji

Lionfish displays its poisonous spines, Fiji

Schooling Jacks (at Mary Island, Solomons)
Schooling Jacks (Caranx sexfasciatus) at Mary Island, Solomons

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

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.