Philippines Photo Gallery: Puerto Galera, Verde Island Passage

We took an underwater photography trip to the Philippines in December 2016.

The Verde Island Passage separates Luzon and Mindoro Islands, connecting the South China Sea to Jayabas Bay and the Sibuyan Sea. It is one of the busiest sea lanes in the Philippines, the main shipping route between the port of Manila and the Visayas and Mindanao. Verde Island is one of the best dive sites in the Philippines. It is said to be the world center of marine shorefish biodiversity, with 60% of the world's known shorefish species, 1700 marine species and 300 coral species. The strait is 200 km long and 20 km wide at its narrowest point. There are three dive sites. It is famous for its wall diving. There are often strong currents, up to 5 knots.

Verde dropoff

Walls:

anthias wall wall wall wall wall wall wall with crinoid wall wall anthias wall anthias wall soft coral anthias anthias plate corals barrel sponge anthias

Fish:

Clownfish:

Clark's anemonefish, Amphiprion clarkii

clownfish clownfish clownfish clownfish

Orange-fin anemonefish, Amphiprion chrysopterus

clownfish

Eastern skunk anemonefish, Amphiprion sandaracinos

clownfish

Bridled anemonefish, Amphiprion frenatus

clownfish

Scorpionfish, Scorpaenopsis papuensis

scorpionfish scorpionfish scorpionfish scorpionfish

Moorish idol, Zanclus canescens

Moorish idol

radial filefish, Acreichthys radfiatus

triggerfish

Puffers:

Saddled puffer, Canthigaster valentini

puffer

guineafowl puffer, Arothron meleagris

puffer

trumpetfish (painted flutemouth), Aulostomus chinesis

trumpetfish

Jewel anthias (basslets), Pseudoanthias dispar

anthias anthia

Philippines blenny, Ecsenius dilemma

?

striped triplefin, Helcogramma striatum

?

yellowtail coris, Coris gaimard

wrasse

Moray eels, Gymnothorax sp.

moray eels moray eel

White-eyed moray eel, Siderea thyrsoidea

moray eel

Lionfish, Pterois volitans

lionfish lionfish

Nudibranchs:

NOTE: We love nudibranchs, but we are not experts on these animals. If you find we have misidentified one, or can identify one we could not, please email us and we will correct it.

"Box cars": two different species, one following the other. Many species exhibit tailing, queuing, or tailgating, with one animal following the mucus trail of another, apparently using sensory cells in its oral tentacles. Since the animals may be members of different species, this behavior is apparently not just a prelude to mating. Here a Miller's Nembrotha (Nembrotha milleri) is trailing a purple-lined Nembrotha (Nembrotha purpureolineata).

nudibranch box cars

Egg ribbon

nudibranch egg ribbon

Miller's Nembrotha, Nembrotha milleri

nudibranch

Chamberlain's Nembrotha, Nembrotha chamberlaini

nudibranch

Crested Nembrotha, Nembrotha cristata

nudibranch pair of nudibranchs

Purple-lined Nembrotha, Nembrotha purpureolineata

nudibranch nudibranch laying eggs nudibranchs mating nudibranch

Phyllodesmium briareum

nudibranch

Funeral jorunna, Jorunna funebris

nudibranch and egg veil

Chromodoris annae

nudibranch

Chromodoris geometrica

?

Elegant phyllidia, Phyllidia elegans

nudibranch

Phyllidiella pustulosa

nudibranch

Tunichates, ascidians, and hydroids:

Rhopalaea sp.

tunichates

stinging hydroid, Aglaophenia sp.

hydroids

Clavelina sp.

?

Atriolum robustum

tunichates

Sea stars:

Blue linckia, Linckia laevigata

sea star sea star sea star

granular sea star, Choriaster granulatus

sea star

Worms:

fan worm, Bispira sp.

fan worm

Flatworms:

Pseudoceros bifurcus

flatworm flatworm

Pseudoceros lindae

flatworm


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Last modified 24 April 2018