peacock mantis shrimp

Peacock Mantis Shrimp: The Ocean’s Pretty Puncher

Somewhere in the Indo-Pacific, there’s a tiny creature with the punch of a bullet and the colors of a rainbow. It’s called the Peacock Mantis Shrimp. Small but unforgettable, this curious little predator is a favorite among divers for both its beauty and its attitude. In this guide, we’ll explore what makes the Peacock Mantis Shrimp …

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Close-up shot of a blue-ringed octopus displaying its bright blue rings, with its tentacles spread out against a deep, dark background.

Blue Ringed Octopus: What Divers Should Know

The blue-ringed octopus is one of the most striking animals you can encounter underwater. Its calm movements and tiny size often catch divers by surprise, yet this little cephalopod leaves a lasting impression on anyone who has seen it in the wild. Curious about what makes the blue-ringed octopus so special and how to approach …

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J Carey Emperor Shrimp

Emperor Shrimp: Habitat, Diet, and Behavior

Have you ever seen a shrimp hitchhiking on a sea slug’s back? That little traveler is the emperor shrimp, a bright and curious creature that stands out on the reef. With its tiny size and bold colors, it has one of the most unique lifestyles in the ocean. In this article, we will take a …

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Candy Crab in soft coral, Solitude Lembeh Resort, Image by Jasmine Care @pxlexplorer

Underwater Christmas: Dive Into Festive Marine Wonders

The festive season is a time of wonder and enchantment, and what better way to celebrate it than by exploring the mesmerising underwater world that mimics the magic of Christmas? In this scuba diving adventure, we’ll take you on a whimsical journey beneath the waves to discover the ocean’s own holiday-themed treasures. From Christmas Tree …

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Bobbit worm or sand striker in aquarium, licensed under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Meet the Bobbit Worm: Lembeh’s Most Unique Sea Creature

If you’re diving in Lembeh at night, keep an eye on the sand. You might spot five antennae waving from a small hole. That’s your clue, a bobbit worm is waiting. When a fish swims too close, it strikes fast and its jaws snap shut like scissors. It’s one of Lembeh’s most unique hunters. But …

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Beautiful color mandarin fish colorfull mandarin fish mandarin fish closeup mandarinfish manda

Mandarinfish: Lembeh Strait’s Secret Dusk Encounter

The Lembeh Strait is home to rare marine species. Its volcanic sands support strange and colorful life. Divers visit the area to see creatures found nowhere else. One of the most unique is the Mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus). Its bold pattern and bright colors make it stand out on the sandy floor of Lembeh. What is …

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Diving for data

Diving for Data

Solitude World’s iNaturalist Projects Turn Guests into Citizen Scientists When you think of diving in Lembeh, Anilao or anywhere in the Coral Triangle, the first thing that comes to mind is often the astonishing diversity of marine life—rare muck critters, cunning octopuses, frolicking mantas, gliding whale sharks, frenzied sharks and dazzling reefscapes. But what if …

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Diver carefully collecting data on the health and condition of a coral reef using scientific instruments while soft sunlight filters through the ocean water

Understanding Marine Biodiversity: A Diver’s Guide to Species Identification

Featuring Tips from Solitude Liveaboards & Resorts Dive Regions Understanding Marine Biodiversity: A Diver’s Guide to Species IdentificationFeaturing Tips from Solitude Liveaboards & Resorts Dive Regions For many divers, the magic of being underwater lies not just in the weightless movement through water or the serenity of reefscapes, but in the encounters — fleeting or …

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Nudibranch, Shaun the Sheep, photographed underwater in Lembeh Strait

Meet ‘Shaun the Sheep’ Nudibranch: The Most Adorable Sea Slug

Small enough to fit on your fingernail, bright green like a cartoon salad, and sporting tiny “ears” that look like sheep horns, this sea slug is pure underwater joy. Meet Costasiella kuroshimae, affectionately known as the ‘Shaun the Sheep’ nudibranch. There’s something about it that makes you want to know more. What is it? Where does …

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Be Inspired, Traditional Macro: Patrick Neumann, Real Focus 2026

Lembeh Critters: The Best Guide to Muck Diving in Lembeh Strait

In the northeastern corner of Indonesia, the Lembeh Strait welcomes divers into a new world where critters are the main attraction. These rare, small, and often astonishingly camouflaged marine animals are the reason this region is known as the Critter Capital of the World. While other destinations boast coral walls and pelagic marine life, Lembeh offers …

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