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Surface interval:75 mins
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Temp: Surf 24°C Bottom 18°C
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Dive type : Recreational, Drift, Reef
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Visibility: Average
Water: Salt
Specific gear used
- Dive skin: Lava Core - Lava Core Pants and 2mm top
- Weights: 5 kg
Dive Profile
- 1. Nitrox 27
- 12L Aluminium
214 → 28 bar
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- Average depth: 13.3m
Data provided by EOL.org
Species Identified
Eretmochelys imbricata (LINNAEUS) 1766 (Hawksbill Turtle)
Hawksbills may take decades to mature and it could be between 20 to 40 years before they are ready to breed . Upon reaching sexual maturity, a female will typically lay up to five clutches of around 100 to 140 eggs in one ...
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Hawksbills may take decades to mature and it could be between 20 to 40 years before they are ready to breed . Upon reaching sexual maturity, a female will typically lay up to five clutches of around 100 to 140 eggs in one breeding season, and then wait a few years before nesting again . Nesting is much more dispersed than in other marine turtles, but individuals do tend to return to a particular beach season after season . Having survived the dash to the sea, hatchlings are believed to spend their first few years in the open ocean before returning to more sheltered coastal waters. Recent studies indicate that the oceanic phase may be shorter for hawksbills, or even omitted in certain regions, as hatchlings swim less vigorously than those of other species . Probably less than one out of 1000 eggs will survive and reach adulthood . Adults are opportunistic predators, using their sharp beak to prize invertebrate prey from crevices within the reef. Unusually amongst marine animals , sponges make up the majority of the hawksbill's diet .
Triaenodon obesus (Rüppell, 1837) (Whitetip reef shark)
Despite its docile nature during the day this nocturnal shark can become aggressive when hunting at night, thrashing through coral reefs looking for potential prey. The whitetip reef shark usually hunts alone, but is non-t...
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Despite its docile nature during the day this nocturnal shark can become aggressive when hunting at night, thrashing through coral reefs looking for potential prey. The whitetip reef shark usually hunts alone, but is non-territorial and will occasionally work in cooperation with others in the pursuit of prey . Feeding primarily on bottom-dwelling octopus, lobsters, crabs and bony fish, it often chases its prey into a crevice before jamming its body in after it, sealing the exit . The extremely posterior location of the first dorsal fin compared to those of other sharks is an adaptation to this feeding habit, which allows them to get their heads and mouths much further into the gaps and holes in the coral . The whitetip reef shark's mating season varies with location . Reproduction is viviparous and after a gestation period of around a year the female will give birth to one to five live pups, which are completely independent at birth . Both sexes reach sexual maturity at approximately 5 years old, and it is estimated that this species can live to an age of 25 years .
Carcharhinus melanopterus (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824) (blacktip reef shark)
This powerful swimmer is well known for its tendency to enter incredibly shallow water, and is often found in water only 30 centimetres deep or less, with its distinctive dorsal fin protruding from the surface of the water...
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This powerful swimmer is well known for its tendency to enter incredibly shallow water, and is often found in water only 30 centimetres deep or less, with its distinctive dorsal fin protruding from the surface of the water. It is also found near the bottom or in mid-water in deeper water, singly or in small groups . It feeds on a wide variety of small fish and invertebrates, including mullet, groupers, wrasses, cuttlefish, squid, shrimp . Blacktip reef sharks are viviparous, and therefore the embryos develop inside the mother, for about 16 months. Females generally give birth between late winter and early summer, to between two and four pups . However, reproductive cycles appear to vary throughout the blacktip reef shark's range, with reports of annual, biannual and biennial reproductive cycles . The blacktip reef shark is not an extremely dangerous species, although it is responsible for several provoked and unprovoked attacks on humans. Many are on people that are swimming or wading on reefs, presumably because they were mistaken for small prey. These sharks are more cautious when encountering divers and can usually be driven off .
Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos (Bleeker, 1856) (Gray reef shark)
Occurs on continental and insular shelves and oceanic waters adjacent to them . Common on coral reefs, often in deeper areas near drop-offs to the open sea, in atoll passes, and in shallow lagoons adjacent to areas of str...
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Occurs on continental and insular shelves and oceanic waters adjacent to them . Common on coral reefs, often in deeper areas near drop-offs to the open sea, in atoll passes, and in shallow lagoons adjacent to areas of strong currents . Coastal-pelagic near the bottom, near drop-offs at 1-275 m . Forms daytime schools or aggregations in favored areas . Although active during the day, it is more active nocturnally . Viviparous, with 1-6 pups . Feeds on reef fishes, squids, octopi, crabs, lobsters and shrimps . Tends to be aggressive under baited conditions and readily enters into a frenzy feeding pattern, at which time it may become quite dangerous. Repeatedly incriminated in human attacks. Utilized for human consumption, fishmeal, and other shark products. Minimum depth from Ref. 6871. Maximum length of female taken from Ref. 5213.
Cheilinus undulatus Rüppell, 1835 (Humphead wrasse)
Humphead wrasses are extremely long-lived, known to survive for at least 30 years, and taking around five to seven years to reach sexual maturity . Adults are usually solitary, spending the day roaming the reef and returni...
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Humphead wrasses are extremely long-lived, known to survive for at least 30 years, and taking around five to seven years to reach sexual maturity . Adults are usually solitary, spending the day roaming the reef and returning to particular caves or ledges to rest at night . Very little is known about these fish; adult females are able to change sex but the triggers for this development are not known . Pairs spawn together as part of a larger mating group that may consist of over 100 individuals. The planktonic eggs are released into the water and once the larvae have hatched they will settle out on the substrate . Using their tough teeth, these fish are able to consume hard-shelled species such as molluscs, echinoderms and crustaceans . They are one of the few predators of species that destroy coral reefs, such as the infamous crown of thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) .
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Jdh
Palau
Date: 2019-01-14 - 12:45
Max Depth: 20m Duration: 40mins
Dive with Bernard from Sam's Dive Tours
10 pounds of weight - 2mm Top with Lava Core pants
First time diving Sand Bar. Nice wall on one side with sand bar on the deep side of the wall. Quite a show of species patrolling the sandbar.
I felt comfortable with my breathing throughout the dive. I was able to breath naturally with little challenge. No problems equalising or establishing proper buoyancy.