Misool Collection (page 9)

Luzon starfish and scorpionfish. Small scorpionfish (family Scorpaenidae) lying on a luzon starfish (Echinaster luzonicus), at night on a coral reef. Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Butterflyfish over a reef. Bennetts butterflyfish (Chaetodon benetti, top) and a spot-banded butterflyfish (Chaetodon punctatofasciatus, bottom) swimming over coral

Acropora plate coral polyps. Close-up of polyps from an Acropora humilis coral colony. Photographed in Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Ink-spot sea squirts (Polycarpa aurata, yellow and purple) on a reef. Sea squirts, or tunicates, are sessile barrel-shaped animals that feed by filtering plankton from the water

Brain coral. Close-up of the convoluted ridged surface of a brain coral (family Faviidae) colony. Photographed in Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Fusilier and cleaner wrasse. Twinstripe fusilier (Pterocaesio marri) with a bluestreak cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) cleaning the inside of its mouth

Octopus on the seabed
Octopus (order Octopoda) on the seabed. Unknown species of octopus camouflaged against the bleached sands of a coral lagoon

Giant clam. Close-up of the mantle of a giant clam (Tridacna Tridacna gigas). Photographed off Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Tropical reef. Panda butterflyfish (Chaetodon adiergastos) with barrel sponges on a coral reef near a jetty (top). Photographed off Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Giant moray eel (Gymnothorax javanicus) with a bluestreak cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus). Giant morays are the largest of the moray eels and are widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific region

Blue-knee hermit crab (Dardanus guttatus). Photographed in Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Sea squirts. Atriolum robustum (left) and Clavelina sp. (right) tunicates on a reef. Sea squirts, or tunicates, are sessile animals that feed by filtering plankton from the water

False clown anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris) amongst anemone tentacles. Seen here are a female and two small males. Photographed in Misool, Raja Empat, West Papua, Indonesia

Spinecheek anemonefish (Premnas biaculeatus) swimming amongst bubble tip anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) tentacles. Photographed in Misool, Raja Empat, West Papua, Indonesia

Featherstar on gorgonian coral. The featherstar is a marine invertebrate. It is an ancient and primitive echinoderm, a member of the group of invertebrates that includes the starfish

Honeycomb grouper (Epinephelus merra). This fish can reach 28 centimetres in length. It has characteristic round to hexagonal brown spots on its body

Featherstar. This marine invertebrate is an ancient and primitive echinoderm, a member of the group of invertebrates that includes the starfish

Anemonefish spawning eggs
Pink anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) spawning pair, with freshly laid eggs. Anemonefish have a symbiotic relationship with their host anemones

Sponges on coral reef. Barrel sponges (Xestopongia sp.) and leather corals growing on a reef. Photographed off Misool, West Papua, Indonesia

Tropical corals. Black corals (white, family Antipathidae) and sea whips (order Gorgonacea) growing in tropical waters. Photographed off Misool, West Papua, Indonesia

Prehistoric rock art, Indonesia
Prehistoric rock art. These paintings are thought to be between 3-5000 years old and feature dolphins, fish, whales, dugong (manatees), hands, abstract figures

Cardinalfish and parasite. Cardinalfish (family Apogonidae) with a parasitic isopod crustacean on its head. Parasitic isopods feed on the tissues of their host

Damselfish on a reef. School of damselfish (family Pomacentridae) by a gorgonian sea fan (pink) on a coral reef. Photographed off Misool, West Papua, Indonesia

Juvenile golden damselfish (Amblyglyphidodon aureus, centre) by a gorgonian sea fan (left) on a coral reef. This species of damselfish inhabits reefs in the tropical Indo-Pacific region

Squid hiding in feather star. Juvenile of an unknown species of squid hiding within the arms of a feather star. Juvenile squid are capable of changing the colour of their skin from birth

Gorgorian
Gorgonian, or sea fan, on a coral reef. Photographed off Misool, Raja Empat, West Papua, Indonesia

Dash-and-dot goatfish (Parupeneus barberinus, white and black) digging in coral rubble for prey, accompanied by a yellowtail coris (Coris gaimard) hoping to catch any escaping prey

Kleins butterflyfish (Chaetodon kleinii) in front of a sea fan, or gorgonian. Photographed off Misool, Raja Empat, West Papua, Indonesia

Indonesia, Papua (formerly Irian), Misool, beehive islands

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Misool, a hidden gem in Indonesia's Raja Ampat region, is a paradise for underwater enthusiasts. As the Yellowtail fusilier fish gracefully swim past vibrant sea whip corals, one can't help but be mesmerized by the sheer beauty of this marine wonderland. In these crystal-clear waters, an endemic epaulette shark glides across the seafloor of Raja Ampat. Its unique features and graceful movements make it a true marvel to behold. The Bigeye scad shimmer like silver coins as they move in synchronized harmony with other tropical fish shoals. Their presence adds an enchanting touch to Misool's already breathtaking ecosystem. Amongst the coral reefs, False clown anemonefish playfully dart in and out of their homes. Their vibrant colors create a striking contrast against the backdrop of blue waters. Delicate Denises pygmy seahorses cling onto colorful corals, showcasing nature's incredible ability to blend beauty and camouflage seamlessly. A majestic Green sea turtle gracefully glides through Ceram Sea off Misool's coast. This gentle giant symbolizes resilience and reminds us of our responsibility to protect these fragile ecosystems. Witnessing a large female Reef manta ray swimming over a coral reef is truly awe-inspiring. Its size and grace leave spectators spellbound, highlighting why conservation efforts are crucial for preserving such magnificent creatures. Schooling fish dance around Misool's thriving coral reefs, creating a spectacle that captivates divers from all corners of the world. The intricate patterns formed by these schools showcase nature's artistry at its finest. An orange elephant ear sponge stands tall amidst this underwater tapestry—a testament to both its beauty and importance within this delicate ecosystem. Lastly, witnessing Giant barrel sponges release clouds of gametes into the water serves as a reminder that life here is constantly evolving and interconnected—each organism playing its part in maintaining balance beneath the waves.