2015-12 Solomon Islands Dives 2178-2210

  1. Galleries
  2. Underwater Photos
  3. Dive Trips
  4. 2015-12 Solomon Islands Dives 2178-2210
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  • Eight-banded Butterflyfish
    Eight-banded Butterflyfish
    Chaetodon octofasciatus
    Koukok Bay, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2178#7308
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Springer's Demoiselle
    Springer's Demoiselle
    Chrysiptera springeri
    Koukok Bay, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2178#7309
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Tunicates
    Tunicates
    Eusyntyela latericius
    Koukok Bay, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2178#7310
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Spotted Shrimpgoby & Snapping Shrimp
    Spotted Shrimpgoby & Snapping Shrimp
    Amblyeleotris guttata & Alpheus ochrostriata
    Koukok Bay, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2178#7314
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Signal Goby pair
    Signal Goby pair
    Signigobius biocellatus - at their burrow.
    Koukok Bay, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2178#7317
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Crocodile Flathead
    Crocodile Flathead
    Cymbacephalus beauforti - were seen in pairs several times.
    Koukok Bay, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2178#7323
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Regal Angelfish
    Regal Angelfish
    Pygoplites diacanthus - the most commonly seen large angelfish.
    Koukok Bay, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2178#7326
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Rolland's Demoiselle
    Rolland's Demoiselle
    Chrysiptera rollandi
    Koukok Bay, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2178#7330
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Sponge
    Sponge
    Siphonochalina species
    Koukok Bay, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2178#7332
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Striped Blenny
    Striped Blenny
    Ecsenius prooculis
    Koukok Bay, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2178#7339
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Plate Coral
    Plate Coral
    Turbinaria peltata - can develop into very large colonies.
    Koukok Bay, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2178#7341
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Eastern Triangular Butterflyfish
    Eastern Triangular Butterflyfish
    Chaetodon baronessa
    Koukok Bay, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2178#7342
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Whitetip Soldierfish
    Whitetip Soldierfish
    Myripristis vittata
    Leru Cut, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2179#7344
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Forest
    Forest
    I surfaced at the end of the 'cut' to have a look at the forest above.
    Leru Cut, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2179#7349
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Calcareous Sponge
    Calcareous Sponge
    Clathrina sp 2 - small, delicate looking.
    Leru Cut, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2179#7353
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Bullock's Hypselodoris mating
    Bullock's Hypselodoris mating
    Hypselodoris bullocki
    Leru Cut, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2179#7358
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Banana Nudibranch & egg ribbon
    Banana Nudibranch & egg ribbon
    Aegires minor
    Leru Cut, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2179#7360
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Blue & Yellow Fusiliers
    Blue & Yellow Fusiliers
    Caesio teres - swimming off the reef wall.
    Leru Cut, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2179#7364
    Larry L. Jackson
  • White-bonnet Anemonefish
    White-bonnet Anemonefish
    Amphiprion leucokranos - in a Leathery Sea Anemone.
    Leru Cut, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2179#7373
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Eclipse Butterflyfish
    Eclipse Butterflyfish
    Chaetodon bennetti
    Leru Cut, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2179#7379
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Whitecheek Surgeonfish
    Whitecheek Surgeonfish
    Acanthurus nigricans
    Leru Cut, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2179#7385
    Larry L. Jackson
  • White-bonnet Anemonefish
    White-bonnet Anemonefish
    Amphiprion leucokranos - in Merten's Carpet Anemone.
    Leru Cut, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2179#7388
    Larry L. Jackson
  • White-bonnet Anemonefish
    White-bonnet Anemonefish
    Amphiprion leucokranos - it is uncommon to see two in the same anemone.
    Leru Cut, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2179#7391
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Coral Residing Hermit Crabs
    Coral Residing Hermit Crabs
    Paguritta corallicola - appear to gather passing food with their feathery antennae.
    Mirror Pond, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2180#7401
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Dwarf Hawkfish
    Dwarf Hawkfish
    Cirrhitichthys falco
    Mirror Pond, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2180#7407
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Feminie Wrasse
    Feminie Wrasse
    Anampses femininus - juvenile phase.
    Mirror Pond, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2180#7411
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Spinecheek Anemonefish
    Spinecheek Anemonefish
    Premnas biaculeatus - large female.
    Mirror Pond, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2180#7414
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Bicolor Angelfish
    Bicolor Angelfish
    Centropyge bicolor
    Mirror Pond, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2180#7422
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Pachyclavularia violacea
    Pachyclavularia violacea
    A nice looking soft coral polyp that grows in mats.
    Custom Cave, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2181#7427
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Sea Fan
    Sea Fan
    Acanthogorgia specie - a lot of tiny Sea Stars feeding near the edges.
    Custom Cave, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2181#7430
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Pictus Blenny
    Pictus Blenny
    Ecsenius pictus
    Custom Cave, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2181#7432
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Spanish Dancer egg ribbon
    Spanish Dancer egg ribbon
    Hexabranchus sanguineus
    Custom Cave, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2181#7434
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Organ Pipe Coral
    Organ Pipe Coral
    Tubipora musica - a soft coral that builds red tubes that give it the name.
    Custom Cave, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2181#7436
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Ornate Ghost Pipefish, male
    Ornate Ghost Pipefish, male
    Solenostomus paradoxus - nearly disappears in the feather star.
    Custom Cave, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2181#7440
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Fire Dartfish
    Fire Dartfish
    Nemateleotris magnifica
    Custom Cave, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2181#7445
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Loch's Chromodoris
    Loch's Chromodoris
    Chromodoris lochi - the most commmonly seen nudibranch on this trip.
    Custom Cave, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, December 2, 2015
    2181#7446
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Acropora donei
    Acropora donei
    One of the large shelving Acropora corals.
    Barracuda Point, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2182#7448
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Mimic Surgeonfish
    Mimic Surgeonfish
    Acanthurus pyroferus - at a cleaning station.
    Barracuda Point, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2182#7449
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Neptune's Cap
    Neptune's Cap
    Halomitra pileus
    Barracuda Point, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2182#7450
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Arc-eye Hawkfish
    Arc-eye Hawkfish
    Paracirrhites arcatus
    Barracuda Point, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2182#7452
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Pinktail Triggerfish
    Pinktail Triggerfish
    Melichthys vidua
    Barracuda Point, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2182#7453
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Dark Red-spined Brittle Stars
    Dark Red-spined Brittle Stars
    Ophiothrix purpurea - in coral.
    Barracuda Point, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2182#7455
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Gilded Triggerfish, female
    Gilded Triggerfish, female
    Xanthichthys auromarginatus
    Barracuda Point, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2182#7458
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Gilded Triggerfish, female
    Gilded Triggerfish, female
    Xanthichthys auromarginatus - being cleaned.
    Barracuda Point, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2182#7459
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Maxima Giant Clam
    Maxima Giant Clam
    Tridacna maxima
    Barracuda Point, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2182#7462
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Blackspot Cleaner Wrasse
    Blackspot Cleaner Wrasse
    Labroides pectoralis
    Jackfish Point, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2183#7464
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Orange-finned Anemonefish
    Orange-finned Anemonefish
    Amphiprion chrysopterus - female defending her territory.
    Jackfish Point, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2183#7465
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Bignose Unicornfish
    Bignose Unicornfish
    Naso vlamingii
    Jackfish Point, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2183#7468
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Bignose Unicornfish
    Bignose Unicornfish
    Naso vlamingii
    Jackfish Point, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2183#7471
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Bicolor Parrotfish
    Bicolor Parrotfish
    Cetoscarus bicolor - courtship behavior.
    Jackfish Point, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2183#7476
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Jewel Damsel
    Jewel Damsel
    Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus - algae farmers on dead coral surfaces.
    Jackfish Point, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2183#7480
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Moorish Idol
    Moorish Idol
    Zanclus cornutus
    Jackfish Point, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2183#7483
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Two-spined Angelfish
    Two-spined Angelfish
    Centropyge bispinosus
    Jackfish Point, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2183#7484
    Larry L. Jackson
  • White-bonnet Anemonefish
    White-bonnet Anemonefish
    Amphiprion leucokranos - in Merten's Carpet Anemone.
    Jackfish Point, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2183#7488
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Spotted Unicornfish
    Spotted Unicornfish
    Naso brevirostris
    Jackfish Point, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2183#7490
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Giant Clam
    Giant Clam
    Tridacna gigas - that gives this dive location its name.
    Giant Clam, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2184#7491
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Redfin Butterflyfish
    Redfin Butterflyfish
    Chaetodon lunulatus
    Giant Clam, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2184#7493
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Gilded Triggerfish, male
    Gilded Triggerfish, male
    Xanthichthys auromarginatus - also called Bluechin Triggerfish.
    Giant Clam, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2184#7494
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Barred Thicklip
    Barred Thicklip
    Hemigymnus fasciatus - terminal (male) phase.
    Giant Clam, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2184#7500
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Bluehead Tilefish, pair
    Bluehead Tilefish, pair
    Hoplolatilus starcki - no seen often.
    Giant Clam, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2184#7513
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Scissortail Fusiliers
    Scissortail Fusiliers
    Caesio caerulaurea - with a few Lunar Fusiliers.
    Giant Clam, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2184#7517
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Bigeye Trevally
    Bigeye Trevally
    Caranx sexfasciatus
    Giant Clam, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2184#7519
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Bigeye Trevally
    Bigeye Trevally
    Caranx sexfasciatus - courtship coloration.
    Giant Clam, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2184#7520
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Oval-spot Butterflyfish
    Oval-spot Butterflyfish
    Chaetodon speculum
    Giant Clam, Mborokua Island, Solomon Islands, December 3, 2015
    2184#7529
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Clown Blenny
    Clown Blenny
    Ecsenius axelrodi
    Kicha Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2185#7531
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Heron Ardeadoris
    Heron Ardeadoris
    Ardeadoris egretta - is large and attractive.
    Kicha Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2185#7538
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Bigeye Barracuda
    Bigeye Barracuda
    Sphyraena forsteri - a smaller, schooling type.
    Kicha Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2185#7539
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Oceanic Triggerfish
    Oceanic Triggerfish
    Canthidermis maculatus - were nesting in sandy spots on the reefs.
    Kicha Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2185#7542
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Oceanic Triggerfish
    Oceanic Triggerfish
    Canthidermis maculatus - likely a male guarding a nest.
    Kicha Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2185#7545
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Goldbelly Damsels
    Goldbelly Damsels
    Pomacentrus auriventris
    Kicha Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2185#7547
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Crinoid Clingfish
    Crinoid Clingfish
    Discotrema crinophial - there were two small individuals in the feather star.
    Kicha Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2186#7549
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Decorated Firefish
    Decorated Firefish
    Nemateleotris decora - are generally seen a depths of 80 feet or more.
    Kicha Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2186#7553
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Christmas Tree Worms
    Christmas Tree Worms
    Spirobranchus species - a dense colony in the typical Porites coral.
    Kicha Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2186#7555
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Peacock Flounder
    Peacock Flounder
    Bothus mancus
    Kicha Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2186#7558
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Hemprich's Sea Anemone
    Hemprich's Sea Anemone
    Heterodactyla hemprichii - this one has purple grape cluster tentacles at the edge.
    Kicha Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2186#7559
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Acropora monticulosa
    Acropora monticulosa
    Prefers shallow, high water movement reefs.
    Kicha Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2186#7560
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Acropora gemmifera
    Acropora gemmifera
    Another shallow water, high water movement type.
    Kicha Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2186#7562
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Acropora florida
    Acropora florida
    Large coral in the shallow areas.
    Kicha Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2186#7563
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Blue Coral
    Blue Coral
    Heliopora coerulea - has a blue skeleton only seen when broken.
    Caves, Mbulo Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2187#7565
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Two-spinned Angelfish
    Two-spinned Angelfish
    Centropyge bispinosus - an unusual coloration seen here.
    Caves, Mbulo Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2187#7568
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Midnight Angelfish
    Midnight Angelfish
    Centropyge nox - besides being skittish these fish are almost impossible to get the camera to focus on for a photo.
    Caves, Mbulo Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2187#7575
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Acropora desalwii
    Acropora desalwii
    A worrisome colony that may have expelled zooxanthellae.  Hopefully not an early sign of big bleaching episode.
    Caves, Mbulo Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2187#7577
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Acropora cerealis & Porites lichen
    Acropora cerealis & Porites lichen
    Caves, Mbulo Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2187#7580
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Fluted Giant Clam
    Fluted Giant Clam
    Tridacna squamosa - with a fairly common color pattern.
    Caves, Mbulo Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2187#7581
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Foxface Rabbitfish
    Foxface Rabbitfish
    Siganus vulpinus - pair.
    Caves, Mbulo Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2187#7582
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Chironephthya specie
    Chironephthya specie
    In full feeding mode.
    Canyons, Mbulo Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2188#7585
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Pacific Double-saddle Butterflyfish
    Pacific Double-saddle Butterflyfish
    Chaetodon ulietensis - possibly feeding on the Sea Star tube feet.
    Canyons, Mbulo Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2188#7589
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Yellow-mask Angelfish
    Yellow-mask Angelfish
    Pomacanthus xanthometopon
    Canyons, Mbulo Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2188#7590
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Anna's Chromodoris
    Anna's Chromodoris
    Chromodoris annae
    Canyons, Mbulo Island, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 4, 2015
    2188#7598
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Artillery Piece
    Artillery Piece
    A difficult shot with my macro lens. Field artillery gun on the front of a small, sunken Japanese freight ship.
    Maru 2, Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands, December 5, 2015
    2189#7600
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Longnose Hawkfish
    Longnose Hawkfish
    Oxycirrhites typus - with a shrimp.
    Maru 2, Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands, December 5, 2015
    2189#7602
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Two-tone Pygmy Squid
    Two-tone Pygmy Squid
    Idiosepius pygmaeus - with captured Translucent Gorgonia Shrimp.
    Maru 2, Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands, December 5, 2015
    2189#7604
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Ornate Ghost Pipefish, male
    Ornate Ghost Pipefish, male
    Solenostomus paradoxus
    Maru 2, Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands, December 5, 2015
    2189#7614
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Clown Triggerfish
    Clown Triggerfish
    Ballistoides conspicillum - juvenile.
    Maru 2, Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands, December 5, 2015
    2189#7617
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Anchors
    Anchors
    Encrusted with 60 years of growth.
    Maru 2, Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands, December 5, 2015
    2189#7622
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Netfin Grouper
    Netfin Grouper
    Epinephelus miliaris - hunting Cardinalfish.
    Maru 2, Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands, December 5, 2015
    2189#7623
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Threadfin Butterflyfish & Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasses
    Threadfin Butterflyfish & Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasses
    Chaetodon auriga & Labroides dimidiatus - the Butterflyfish is being cleaned.
    Maru 2, Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands, December 5, 2015
    2189#7624
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Lace Coral
    Lace Coral
    Distichopora specie - nice name for a stinging coral.
    Wickham Island, Marovo Lagoon, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 5, 2015
    2190#7626
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Flatworm
    Flatworm
    Thysanozoon specie - Debbie spotted this nice Flatworm.
    Wickham Island, Marovo Lagoon, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 5, 2015
    2190#7629
    Larry L. Jackson
  • Anne's Phyllidiopsis
    Anne's Phyllidiopsis
    Phyllidiopsis annae - very small.
    Wickham Island, Marovo Lagoon, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, December 5, 2015
    2190#7631
    Larry L. Jackson