Anilao Diving Underwater Photography |Dive Resort,Dive Package.

CRITTERS LIST

WEEDY SCORPION FISH (Rhinopias frondosa)

The weedy scorpionfish, sometimes also known as the popeyed scorpionfish, Rhinopias frondosa, is a carnivorous ray-finned fish with venomous spines that lives in the Indian and Western Pacific oceans, from Japan to Australia and from South Africa to the Caroline Islands. They are found in depths ranging from 13 to 90 meters.

The weedy scorpionfish has a highly compressed body, can reach a maximum length of 23 cm, and can vary considerably in color as well as appendages depending on its environment. Specimens found in rocky, algae rich waters are covered in weed-like appendages, whereas specimens found in deeper soft-bottomed waters with soft corals and sponges have fewer appendages. Color can range vastly from dark red and purple to yellow and lavender. The variations differ so vastly that the specimens are often misidentified. Further complicating identification, there is currently disagreement over the species Rhinopias eschmeyeri, which some experts consider not a valid species, but a variant of R. frondosa.

variant color of (R. frondosa.)

see video clip of (R. frondosa & R. eschmeyeri)

Most Popular Dive sites

MAINIT POINT (ANILAO SECRET BAY)

Mainit, Tagalog for "hot", is a world-famous dive site near Anilao that is literally hot along the shore, with warm springs found just offshore. Underwater macro photographers love to explore Mainit for the wide variety of undersea life that flourishes there. This is definitely one of the prime places for MUCK DIVING!.

Other quality muck dive sites are Anilao Pier, Basura and Balanoi Secret Garden.

ANILAO TWIN ROCKS

'Twin Rocks' is one of the best, and most popular, recreational diving sites in Anilao. It is a marine sanctuary where wildlife flourishes. So-called because of two parallel sets of rock formation at a depth of 5-18m/15-60 feet), Twin Rocks is one of the busiest dive sites in Anilao. It is most often requested by both beginning and experienced open water divers who love shallow dives and healthy, vibrant reefs. A wide variety of Giant Clams, Surgeonfish, Batfish and schools of Jack are commonplace.

SOMBRERO ISLAND, BEATRIZE ROCK, SEPOC WALL AND KIRBYS ROCK

These dive sites are all located roughly 15 minutes by boat from the Anilao resorts. They are popular reefs and hideouts for underwater photographers. Each of these dive sites are very healthy and contain lots of soft and hard corals found on gentle, broad slopes that give way to sudden, steep drop-offs. Excellent for wide-angle underwater photography.