Small criters of Misool
Between these fabulous dives with exceptional underwater atmos- pheres, the emblematic spots of Andiamo, Candi Store, Yelit, Tank Rock, Whale rock Dunia Kecil are extraordinary hunting grounds for macro photography lovers.
The search for pygmy seahorses perfectly camouflaged in their sea fans is a real challenge. Their mimicry is so perfect that it takes a keen eye to successfully distinguish them from the gorgonous ramifications. Raja Ampat and especially the Misool region has three species of pygmy seahorses: Bargibant seahorse (Hippocampus Bargibanti), Denise seahorse (Hippocampus Denise) and Christmas pygmy seahorse which is endemic to the island of Misool!
The impressive feather star with multiple colors gripping the sea fans and all the possible substrates present on the dive sites are as many hideouts for symbiotic crustaceans. This is the case of this commensal crinoid shrimp (Laomenes sp), this elegant crinoid crab (Allogalathea elegan), this Galaea baba of feather star (Allogalathea baba) and many other subjects that are just waiting to be photographed. Even soft coral act as a refuge for deco- rating crabs and other small crustaceans in search of food, such as this yellow Orang Outang crab (Oncino-pus aranea) or this small prickly soft coral crab (Lissoporcelana sp).
