I've Been in Singapore and Japan before. Like the Manila Ocean Park Singapore and Japan have same ocean park too. Me and my crew mates, When we are in Singapore, we don't have a time to go in ocean park. We are staying in peoples park in Singapore all night long. In Japan we stayed there for 2 days and 2 night in sky court hotel. We didn't decide to go in there Ocean park because It is so expensive when you travel and purchase any item in Japan. Now here in the Philippines they open the Manila Ocean Park. To tell you the truth sulit ang 400 pesos entrance when you go in the Manila Ocean Park. Here is my full compilation in Manila Ocean Park, I've been there March 16, 2008.
February 2008, Manila will have something new to offer to its tourists - the Manila Ocean Park (MOP). Brace yourself as the much awaited opening of this new Landmark will finally be pushed through. It is the country’s first state-of-the-art Oceanarium, open water marine habitat, boutique mall, restaurant row and function facilities all located in one complex at the back of the Quirino Grandstand, Luneta.
This P1-billion project of Singaporean and Malaysian investors is the first world-class marine park to adopt a “fusion concept.” It will house the first and largest aquarium facility in the Philippines and is the most advanced ocean parks in Asia — with an area larger than the famous Sentosa oceanarium in Singapore.
Opening in February is the first phase of the park which includes its main attraction - the oceanarium. The second phase, which includes the marine-themed mall and hotel, and the third phase, the open marine habitats, would be completed late this year. The park is scheduled to open last December 2007 in time for the Holiday but was postponed due to damages incurred when a fire broke out on one of its ceilings that was caused by some welder works. But the waiting is finally over. We need not to go to Singapore, Malaysia or Hongkong anymore to experience the kind of experience Manila Ocean Park will offer.
The opening of MOP is expected to beef up the tourism of the City of Manila and the Philippines as a whole. I hope that this new landmark right in the heart of Manila will revive not only Luneta but the entire city. So, let’s go take a quick look to its facilities as envisioned by the architects of the project.
AGOS (THE FLOW)Enter the journey and witness water cascading from an artificial waterfall that flows into 8 different water tank displaying various flora and fauna. The water flow replicates the fresh water source that eventually leads to the open ocean, creating a model of the interconnectedness between the land and sea. The rocky shoreline is showcased in a touch Pool where one can physically encounter animals on display.
BAHURA (REEF)The Philippines is home to a vast number of coral life forms. Bahura is a series of 48 tanks that feature the colorful Philippine underwater rainforest. Be fascinated with a multiple hues and diverse life forms found in our Philippine coral reefs.
BUHAY NA KARAGATAN ( LIVING OCEAN)Experience the slice of ocean life! Enjoy the breathtaking 25 meter walk along an underwater tunnel and experience how marine animals interacts in each other in there natural habitat. This main feature of the Oceanarium provides unmatched and truly awesome encounter with the rich underwater world.
LAOT (FISHING GROUND)Four big distinct aquariums will display an assortment of fish in all sizes and colors. These impressively large exhibits will definitely be a sight to behold.
KAILALIMAN (DEEP)The sea residents of the barracuda known for its toothy grin as the tiger of the sea. Be mesmerized s by one to the ocean's most interesting and sometimes feared inhabitants.
OVERHANG TANKWatch a variety of rays fly over while your under this unique Overhang tank. Walk beneath these magnificent creatures and marvel at how freely they swim and interact with each other.
PATING (SHARK)The Philippines is home to several species of sharks. Come fact to fact with the wonderful, often Misunderstood, predators of the sea - only at MOP.
FEATURED CREATURES IN MOP.
Reef stonefish (synanceia verrucosa)
The Reef stonefish is the most venomous fish in the world. It has 13 stout spines in the dorsal (back) fin which can inject a high toxic venom. They are extremely well camouflaged, looking like an encrusted rock or lump of coral. Reef stonefish are usually brown or Grey and may have patches of yellow, orange or red. They usually live in rubble or coral bottoms, often under rocks or ledge, but also known to be able to bury in sand using there large pectoral fins. The reef stonefish eats fishes and crustacean. It usually waits for prey to swim pass, and then strike with incredible speed. Predator of the reef stonefish include shark and rays.
Blackspotted puffer "botete" (Arothron nigropunctatus)The blackspotted puffer can be found in reefs throughout the Pacific ocean and Indian ocean. It reaches the maximum length of 33 cm ( 1 ft.) . It has a round shape with a head of snout which at times make it look like a seal or a dog. It can come in a variety of colors, although most commonly blue-Grey. The distinctive identifying item are the black spot. It feeds on algae, corals, sponges, sea squirt, crustaceans, and molluscs. Like most puffers the blackspotted puffer is highly poisonous to eat since it welsh contains tetrodotoxin.
Copperband butterfly fish "alibangbang o paru-parong laot" (Chelmon rostratus).
The copperband butterflyfish has a long, narrow nose and mouth use for hunting into crevices and holes for food. The copperband butterfly fish has a yellow orange vertical bands with a black edging. It has a false eyespot on the rear of the dorsal fins. This is a difficult fish to mistake for any other. In the wild this species is found in very large school. The juveniles will automatically act as cleaner fish to other larger species.
RIBBON ELL "MALIBANOS" (RHINOMURAENA QUAESITA).The ribbon eel is native to the Indian and Pacific ocean. Many feel that it resembles a brightly-colored party streamer. The ribbon eel can easily recognized by its expanded nostril. Juveniles and sub-adults are jet black and a yellow dorsal fin. while adult males have fluorescent blue with yellow highlights. The adult females are yellow with a black anal fins. As the eel grown and become older, it changes gender from a male to a female. The ribbon eel also changes its color from blue to yellow when it became fully matured .
CARPET EEL-BLENNY "BATAD" (CONGROGACHUS SUBDUCEUS).
One might think from the name of this fish that it is an eel of perhaps a blenny, However it is neither, it belong to the dottyback family. Inhabits coastal waters, often in brackish condition. found hidden amongst rocks or coral rubble.
SNOW FLAKE/ STARRY MORAY EEL "IGAT, PAYANGITAN" (ECHIDNA NEBULOSA).
The snowflakes moray is a moray eel that lives in Indo-pacific oceans at depths between 2 to 30 m. The snowflakes moray is found between rocks and corals of interdinal reef flats, and also in shallow lagoons and seawards reefs. It feed mainly on crustaceans.
RACCOON BUTTERFLYFISH "PARU-PARONG DAGAT" (CHAETODON LUNULA).
The raccoon butterflyfish is a nocturnal species that is usually seen in pairs of small groups in warm, shallow reef flats of lagoon and seaward reefs. Juveniles occur among rocks of inner reef flats and in tide pools. Adult feed mainly on nudibranchs, tubeworm tentacles, and other benthic invertebrates including algae and coral polyps.
REDCOAT SQUIRRELFISH "BAGA-BAGA" (SARGOCENTRON RUBRUM).With quick jerky motion, large bright eyes , eve chatter like niose production. Squirrelfish have much in common behaviors wise with there terrestrial rodent namesakes, inhabit coastal reefs, salty reef or wrecks in lagoons, bays or harbors, and my occur in aggregations. Also found in hidden in caves and cracks of rock during the day. They usually occurs in areas subject to strong current. Feed mainly on benthic crabs and shrimps, but also prey for small fishes. It is also thought that the spines on the gill covers are venomous.
SPOTTED GARDEN EEL "EDONG" (HETEROCONGER HASSI) Garden eel usually lives in small aggregations. They establish colonies on sand slope exposed to current, usually below 39 meters. they live individually in burrows from which they protrude . They feed on drifting plankton. Will withdraw into there burrows when disturbed.
LEOPARD ROCKCOD "LAPU-LAPU, PUGAPO" (CEPALOPHHOLIS LEOPANDA).
One of the most largest and smallest sizes reported are based in misidentification. A secretive species but common in rich coral reefs. From the crests to densely covered slopes. Best identified by the dark tail saddle and stripes in fin.
SAILFIN TANG "LABAHITA, INDANGAN, SURAHAN" (ZEBRAMOSA VELIFERUM).Occurs in lagoon and seaward reefs from the lower surge zone to a depth of at least of 30 meters. Solitary juveniles found among rock of coral of shallow protected, sometimes turbid reefs. Feed on leafy macroalgae.
SLIPPER LOBSTER (PARRIBACUS SP).
Slipper lobster are family of achelate (clawless) decapod crustaceans found in all warm ocean and seas. Despite there name, they are not true lobster, but are more closely related to spiny lobster and furry lobster. Slipper lobster instantly recognizable by there large antennae. which projects forward from the head as wide plates. Some are important food species.
GIANT GROUPER "LAPU-LAPU (EPINEPHELUS LANCEOLATUS).
The giant grouper is the largest bony fish found in coral reefs, and aquatic emblem of Queensland, Australia. It is found throughout the Indo-Pacific region. The species can grow as large as 2.7 meters (9ft) long. weighting up to 600 kilos 1320 pounds. There are confirm reports of it growing much bigger. They are fairly common in shallow water and feed on a variety of marine life. Including small shark and juvenile sea turtles.
STRIPPED ELL CATFISH .
The only catfish can found in coral reefs. Also found in estuaries , tide pool and coasts, juvenile from dense ball-shaped school of hundreds of even thousands; adults are solitary occur in smaller groups of arpund 20 and are known to hide under ledge during the day. Adult search and stir the sand incessantly for crustaceans, molluscs , worms, and sometimes fish. The highly venomous serrated spines on the first dorsal fin and each in the pectoral fins are dangerous, and have cause fatalities in rare cases.
PARADISE WHIPTAIL "PENTAPODUS PARADISEUS).The paradise whiptail is commonly found of the bream family. It has a characteristic thread like filament of the upper lobe of the tail fin, which give the fish name. The paradise whiptails are most found over sandy bottoms near coral reefs.
PORCUPINE FISH "DIONDO HOLOCANTHUS"
These fish are also commonly called blowfish (and sometimes, "baloonfish" or "Globefish"). They are sometime confused with pufferfish, which are they closely realted to, but porcupinefish have spines on there bodies, porcupinefish have the ability of inflate their body by shallowing water (or air) ti become round like a ball. This increase in size (almost double vertically). Reduce the range of potential predators to those which much bigger mouth. A second defense mechanism is provided with a sharp spines, which radiates outwards when the fish is inflated. Some fishes are poisonous , having tetrodotoxin in their skin and internal organs. As a result this porcupinefish have few predstors.
TEIRA BATFISH (PLATAX TEIRA).
Adults are generally solitary and found under overhangs of steeps outer reef slopes to a depth of at least 20m. Juvenile batfish tends to have exaggerated fins giving them like a-bat like appearance when viewed form the side. Juvenile are encountered in mangrove and inner shelter reefs where they seek shelter in caves or under ledge. Feeds on algae as well as jellyfish and other gelatinous zooplankton. Some times adult are seen in large school traveling over open substrate.
REDBREAST WRASSE (CHEILINUS FASCIATUS).
The redbreast wrasse reaches a maximum lenght of 40 cm. This wrasse inhabits reefs across the Indian and Pacific ocean. It feeds mainly on crustaceans and molluscs and its often seen resting on the seabed.
TWO-SPOT BANDED SNAPPER (LUTJANUS BIGUTTATUS).Inhabits coral reefs and outer reefs slopes. Sometimes in large school of more than 100 individuals. Often solitary. Feed maily on small fishes and crustaceans.
SNOBNOSE POMPANO "PAMPANO" (TRACHINOSUS BLOCHII).Found near coral and rock reefs. Juveniles inhabit sandy shorelines and shallow sandy or muddy bays near rive mouths while adult move out in school to clear seaward reefs. Feed primarily on molluscs and other hard shell invertebrates.
BANANA FUSILIER "DALAGANG BUKID" (EPINEPHELUS TUKULA).Range widely around corals reefs, sometimes forming schools woth other fusilier species, Feed on zooplankton in midwater aggregation.
MARRS FUSILIER "MORONG".
This fusilier ranges widely around coral reefs and appears prefer to clear waters of oceanic islands or reef from large land masses, feed on zooplakton in mid water aggregation.
YELLOWTAIL BARRACUSA "BALYOS, SUNGGAW"
The yellowtail barracuda is considered to be the smallest in the barracuda family. This species are found in the Indo-west Pacific. The yellowtail baracuda is a schooling fish and feeds almost exclusively to other fish.
BLACKTIP REEF SHARKThe blacktip reef shark is commonly found throughout the Indopacific region and the eastern Mediterranean. They are found in northern Australia from Moreton Bay (Queensland) to Shark Bay (Western Australia) and off the southwest coast of Hawaii. The blacktip reef shark is one of the most common reef sharks in the Pacific Ocean, along with the white tip reef shark (
Triaenodon obesus) and the
gray reef shark (
Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos).
GIANT GUITAR FISHShovelnose Guitar Fish are plentiful. They can get to be close to six feet in length and weigh in at 40 lbs. They spawn in July en masse about 3/4 miles east of La Jolla cove on sandy bottoms in very shallow water.
OCCELATE RIVER STINGRAY (POTAMOTRYGON MOTORO).
River stingray are native to eastern america . Occelate river stingray grow up to a meter in diameter. They are poisonous caudal sting, and are one of the most feared fresh water fishes in the neotropical region, sometimes more feared than piranhas and electric eel. However they are not dangerous unless stepped on or otherwise threatened.
OSCAR (ASTRONOTUS OCELLATUS). The natural diet of this fish consist of primarily of aquatic and terrestrial insect (which comprise much of its diet). although small fish and to a lesser extent crustaceans, are also consumed. Wild Oscar often have false eyes spots on there body which are probably used to limit fin-nipping by piranhas. In captivity pairs are known to select and clean generally flattened horizontal or vertical surface on which to lay there 1000 to 3000 eggs. Like most childish, Oscar take care of there youngs.
GIANT ARAPAIMA (ARAPAIMA GIGAS).This is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. The diet of the Arapaima consist of fish or even kind of small animals, including birds The fish has also has the ability to breathe air from the surface due to a lung like lining of its throat, an advantage in the oxygen deprived water that is often found in the Amazon river. This fish is therefore able to survive extensive drought periods bu gulping air and burrowing in the mad or sand of the swamps.
FIRE EEL (MASTACEMBELUS ERYTHROTAENIA).
The "Fire" in its name is due to a several bright red stripes and spot that mark a body. The name "eel" is reference to the body shape; the fire eel is not actually the true eel. This are bottom dwelling fish which spend a lot of time buried in the riverbed. often with just there snout sticking out. However there are voracious predators and will swim at all water level when hunting for food.
NORTHERN PIKE (EXOS LUSIUS).
The northern pike gets its name from its resemblance to the pole-weapon known as pike. The genus name Exos, comes form the Greek and Celtic for "Big fish". Pike are typical ambush predator; they lie in wait for pray, holding perfectly still for long periods and then exhibit remarkable acceleration as they strike. The fish has a distinctive habit of catching its prey sideways in the mouth. It aggressively strike at any fish in the vicinity, even at other pike. they also feed on frogs, insects and leeches.
CLOWN KNIFEFISH (CHILATA CHILATA). There bodies have a series of blackspot, which vary in the pattern in between fish. It can swim both forward and backward, and its nocturnal. They are various predators capable of overpowering fishes on the same size and will eat anything smaller. It is the male that guards the eggs and fry.
LUNGFISH (PROTOPTEUS DOLLOI).
Lung fish have bodies that are powerful, elongated and eel like. The base color of the fish is brown, and it has a many darker speckles sprayed all over. Dorsal and anal fins are long-based while the pectoral fins are very slim. The eyes are small and blue , they can live trough the dry season. They bury themselves into the mud, curl up into a bell, and secrete a mucus which hardens to form a cocoon, lungfish are carnivorous predators.
ELECTRIC EEL (ELECTROPHORUS ELECTRICUS).
It is capable to generate powerful electric shocks (up to 600 volts). which is use for both hunting and self defense. Despite its name its not an eel at all but rather a kind of knife fish. The young feed on invertebrates. While adult had on fish and small mammals, fish born hatching will even cannibalize the eggs and embryos from later batches.
ALLIGATOR GAR (ANTRACTOSTEUS SPATULA).The alligator gar is the largest primitive fish, in fact it is the largest exclusively fresh water fish in North America. It is carnivorous and hunts by lurking amongst underwater plants, waiting for food to pass by. Though its usually eats fish, the alligator gar will also eat water flow, and has in some rare cases been known to attack humans. One has ever been witnessed attacking and devouring a 5 feet alligator.
RED TAIL CATFISH (PHRACTOCEPHALUS HEMIOLIOPTERUS).Juveniles are often available as aquarium fish despite there eventual large size, when well feed, this cat fish grow quite rapidly. Red tail catfish have a habit of swallowing inedible objects, through there are often regurgitated.
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NDONESIAN TIGERFISH (DATNIOIDES MICROLEPIS).This fish are clearly built to be predators. They have large mouth which can extend to capture prey. They have also large eye which, rather creepily more independent and watch your every move. They can ussually kept with non aggressive fish that are to large to swallow.
SILVERED AROWANA (OSTEOGLOSSUM BICIRRHOSUM).It is called the monkey fish by local because of its ability to jump out of the water and capture its prey. Although specimens have been found with the remains of birds, bat, and snake in there stomach. Its main diet is consists of crustaceans, insect and smaller fish. Arowana are sometimes called Dragon fish because there shinny scales are double barbels are prominently of description of dragon in Asian folklore.
GIANT PANGASIUS CATFISH (PANGASIUS SANITWONGSEI).Juveniles and adult feed on crustaceans, and fish larger individuals have been known to feed on the carcasses of fowl and dogs (which are commonly used as bait). Fishing of this species use to be accompanied by religious ceremonies and rites.
ARCHERFISH (TOXOTES JACULATRIX).Archerfish are famed on there ability to shoot down insects and smell creatures resting on foliage or mangrove roots. In fact Toxotes means "bowman" or "archer". Using there tongues, they form a tube, and force out a strong jet of water by snapping there gills shut.
SILVER MOONY FINGERFISH (MONODACTYLUS ARGENTEUS).Found in bays, mangrove, tidal creeks, and lower reaches of fresh water streams; occasionally in silty coastal reefs. Feed on plankton and detritus. Commonly seen in school. The dorsal and anal fins look like human finger in some individual, hence the name.
BLUE SEA STAR (LINCKIA LAEVGATA).The blue sea star is found in the sunny areas of the reef and reef fringes, constantly foraging for food. It has a bright blue body, sometimes with red and purplish spot. An inhabitant of coral reefs and sea grass bed, this species are relatively common. The blue sea star are capable of regenerating a new star fish from almost any portion of its body that might break off.
CHOCOLATE CHIP SEA STAR (PROTOREASTER NODOSUS).The chocolate sea star has chocolate brown bumps on its dorsal surface, giving the animal the appearance of something you might find in a bakery. This sea star has a thick body with a five arms the radiate form the center of the animal, making a star shape. Rows of tube feet are located beneath each arm. On the underside of the sea star is a mouth that lacks teeth. Chocolate chip stars may eat other invertebrates, including the soft corals, clams, and snail.
WHITESPOTTED BAMBOO SHARK (CHILOSCYLLIUM PLAGIOSUM).This shark are found in coral reefs, mostly nocturnal species. These shark are feed by night , preying for small fish an invertebrates. They are small teeth that can be used for grasping or ch rushing prey. Soft prey are grasped when the tip of the teeth sink into the flesh, but the teeth pivot backward when bitting hard prey. This protect the tooth tip and allow the flattened front surface of the teeth to form a continuous plate for crushing crabs,
CUSHION STAR (CULCITA NOVAEGUINEAE).The cushion star is a thick bodied sea star species with very short arms. This species are commonly found on the coral reefs flat down to the deeps of at least 30 meters. Its colour ranges from brown to orange, red, Grey and yellow. Its though skin is covered with small raised knobbly spines and it's big thick shape limits its flexibility and movement. These feed star feeds on a variety of organisms include algae, bottom detritus and the polyps of some corals, it can be found in the warm tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific ocean.
BLUESPOTTED RIBBONTALE RAY (TAENIURA LYMMA).A colorful sting ray with large, bright blue spot on an oval disc and with blue stripes along the tale. It is found in the Indo-west pacific Pacific, In migrate in groups in shallow sandy areas duringthe rising tide to feed on molluscs, worms, shrimp, and crabs; disperses just before the falling tide to seek shelter in caves and under ledges. Beside humans, the only other type of predator known to attack, this species of stingray is the hammerhead shark.
SEA CUCUMBER (BOHADSEHIA GRAEFFEI).With an elongated body and leathery skin which is found on the sea floor worldwide. The diet of most cucumbers is consist of planktons and decaying organic matter found in the sea.
GIANT CLAMS (TRIDACNA SSP AND HIPPOPUS SP).The giant clams is the largest living bivalve mullusc. One of the number of large clam species native to the shallow coral reefs of the South pacific and Indian Ocean, they can have an average lifespan in the wild of 100 years of more. The creature mantle tissue acts as a habitat for symbiotic single called algae from which it gets 90% of its nutrition The clam spread out its mantle tissue so that the algae received the sunlight needed for photosynthesis. It is one of the six giants clam species that occur in the Philippines, all of which are protected by laws.
SERGEANT MAJOR (ABUDEFDUL VAIGIENSIS).The Indo-Pacific sergeant is pale in colour becoming yellowish above with five vertical black bars. Its ground colour becomes bluish during courtship. It reaches up to 20cm in length and tends to be found in groups. Juveniles are found in tidepools or under floating sargassun. While adult are found to 12cm deep.
PEACH FAIRY BASSLET (PSEUDANTHIAS DISPAR).Found at the upper-edge of steep outer reef slopes with moderate currents. Occurs in large aggregations of mixed sexes when feeding in currents sweeping the reef. Anthias species all share the trait of being hermaphraditic. If a dominant male perishes, the largest female of the group will often change gender to take his place.
SINGAPORE SHRIMPGOBY "BIA" (CRYPTOCENTRUS SINGAPURENSIS).Some goby species live in symbiosis with burrowing shrimps. The shrimp maintains a burrow in the sand in which both the shrimp and the goby fish live. The shrimp has poor eyesight compared to the coby but if it sees of feels the goby suddenly swim into the burrow, it will follow. The goby and shrimp keep in contact with each other, the shrimp using its antennae, and the bogy flicking the shrimp with relationship; the shrimp gets a warning of approaching danger, and the goby gets a safe home and a place to lays its eggs.
HUMBUG DAMSELFISH "PALATA" (DASCYLLUS ARUANUS).This damselfish occurs in moderate-sized groups aroun coral heads in calm water to a depth of 12 m and is abundant in reef-flat staghorn Acropora coral thickets. It feeds on zooplanktom, benthic invertebrates, and algae. Males invite females to spawn, then become a aggressive against other fish while they tend the eggs. Should not be confused with the Black-tailed Dascyllus.
MAGNIFICENT SEA ANEMONE (HETERACTIS MAGNIFICA).A sea anemone that lives in the Indo_Pacific area, and can grow up to 1 meter (3.3ft) in diameter. The magnificent sea anemone consumes both vertebrates and invertebrates, including fish and crustaceans. It is often found in association with anemone fish. This anemone was featured in the Pixar Animation film "Finding Nemo".
TUBE ANEMONE (CERIANTHUS MEMBRANACEUS).Found primarily in sandy or muddy bottoms. It is actually a distant relative of the true sea anemore. In the wild, these animals may make dwelling tubes up to a few meters long in the soft substrate, it creates its tube from the nematocysts (stinging cells) that it has discharged, along with some mucus and sediment.
RAZOR FISH "ISDANG LARING-LARING, ISDAND SIKWAN" (AEOLISCUS STRINGATUS).From schools among the spines of Diadema urchins or staghorn corals, and feed on tiny crustaceans in the zooplankton. Remarkable for their strange body shape and swimming habit: the body is encased in an synchronized groups, each fish in a vertical position with the snout pointing downward.
CARPET ANEMONE (STICHODACTYLA GIGANTEA).
This anemone has a characteristic, deeply folded oral disc, with the rest of the disc ending in short, tapering tentacles that are very sticky. Often found attached via a relatively narrow"stem" to something solid while surrounded by sand in very shallow water. Comes in brown, blue green, pink, and purple tentacle colors.
FEATHER STAR (CENOMETRA SP).Feather stars also known as crinoids. They are characterized by radial symmetry. The body of a typical feather star is cup-shaped, their numerous feathery arms project form a central disc. Some have five arms, others as many as 200. The arms, called pinnules, are coated with a sticky substance that helps them catch food. There are appendages known as cirri attached to the underside of the body with which they cling to sponges or corals. Both their mouth and their anus are found on the upper side.
BIRD WRASSE "BANKILAN, BUNGAT" (BALISTOIDES VIRIDESCENS).The common name of the Bird Wrasse refers to the fish's long snout that is thought to resemble a bird's beak. Bird Wrasse inhabit lagoons and coral rich reef areas. It is often seen in small groups or singly. The snout is used to probe the coral for prey, primarily crustaceans, brittle stars, molluscs and small fishes. All wrasse can change gender, and with the sex change also comes a color change. Female are white and black while males are blue green in color.
ALLIGATOR PIPEFISH "DAGUM-DAGUM" (SYNGNATHOIDES BIACULEATUS).These green-colored pipefish have an elongated body. They like to float upside down or right-side up next to long strands of seagrass, algae or floating weeds. They occur in protected coastal shallows. The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch underneath the tail. It can be found throughout the Indo-western Pacific region.
COMMON SEAHORSE "KABAYO-KABAYOHAN" (HIPPOCAMPUS KUDA).The seahorse are found in tropical and subtropical coastal and coastal reef water all over Pacific. Atlantic and Indian oceans. Seahorse and pipefishes are notable for being the only animal in which males become "pregnant". Seahorse feed on larval fish and crustaceans, such as small shrimp-like amphipods called mysids ("sea lice"). Sucking up there prey with their small mouths. These intriguing fish are threatened by overexploitation of the habitats.
PAJAMA CARDINALFISH "DANGAT, SUGA" (SPHAERAMIA NEMATOPTERA).Cardinalfish are relatively small fish that like to inhabit reef overhangs and crevices. They are called "cardinals" because some species have brilliant red to light pink colors, like a cardinal's robes This fish are nocturnal and do most of their feeding at nighttime. Cardinals are known for being mouth brooders where eggs are incubated inside the mouth of the fish. Forms aggregations among the branches of Porites corals in sheltered bays and lagoons.
HARLEQUIN SWEETLIPS "ALATAN, BAKOKO" (PLETORHINCHUS CHAETODONOIDES).Juvenile Harlequin Sweetlips under 7-8 cm in lenght, are brown with large dark eyes, white spots. They swim with the head pointing down and with exaggerated fin movement resulting in an undulating motion. At this size the Harlequin Sweetlips is believed to be a nudibranch or flatworm mimic. As juveniles grow, the brown base color disappears and dark brown spots develop. Adults are white with dark brown spots on the body and gins. Juveniles live in lagoons, but adults live in deeper or in caves.
JAPANESE SPIDER CRAB (MACROCHEIRA KAEMPFERI).The Japanese spider crab is the largest living arthropod. The crab's natural habitat is on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean (some 300 to 400 m deep) around Japan, where it feeds on dead animals and shellfish. It is believed to have a life expectancy of up to 100 years. Because it is a particularly old species of crab. It is often referred to as a living fossil. In male specimens, the limbs on which the claws are located become much longer than its other limbs.
REDTOOTH TRIGGERFISH "KAPUTPOT, NATUTONG" (ODONUS NIGER).The redtooth triggerfish is a dark blue bodied fish ranging up to 50 cm in length. The fins are all blue-green in color and it has a lyre-shaped tail fin. Like all triggerfish, redtooth triggerfish have a retractable dorsal spine. Their pectoral fins are quite small; as a result they swim mostly with their dorsal and anal fins, which makes them very maneuverable.
BLACKBAR TRIGGERFISH "PAKOL, POGUT" (RHINECANTHUS ACULEATUS).This trigger lives in the shallow flats and sandy areas of coral reefs where it eats just about anything it comes along (small fish, crustaceans, sea urchins, coral, worms, etc). They are always restlessly swimming around and can vigorously protect their territory against intruders, including divers reproduction season. Fortunately, their relative small size makes them much less dangerous than their larger cousin the titian trigger fish.
TITAN TRIGGERFISH "PAKOL, PUGOT" (BALISTOIDES VIRIDESCENS).This fish occurs in lagoons, seaward reefs and sheltered inner reef slopes. Juvenils often live among isolated patches of branching corals or shallow sandy areas. Adults occur singly or in pairs on the slopes of deep lagoons or seaward reefs. It is often hostile towards divers and may attack unprovoked when carrying for eggs. Feeds on sea urchins, coral, crabs and other crustaceans, mulluscs and tube worms it is the largest trigger fish.
ZEBRA DARTFISH "BIA" (PTERELEOTRIS ZEBRA).This schooling species inhabits exposed seaward reefs in relatively shallow water, over hard bottoms. Usually many individuals occupy the same refuge. found in areas subjected to strong currents, occurring in small to large aggregations. Its attractive, slender body has numerous vertical, evenly-spaced thin orange stripes displaying an intricate pattern.
BAMBOO SAHRK EGGS (CHILOSCYLIUM SP).Bamboo sharks are oviparous which means that they lay eggs. A whitespotted bamboo shark egg's embryo can be seen through the shell. They hatch after about four months.
BOXFISH "TAKBA, KABAN-KABAN" (OSTRACION MELEAGRIS).Inhabits clear lagoon and seaward reefs from lower surge zone to at least 30 meters, Juveniles live among rocky boulders. Often with long spined urchins, and adults prefer on reef crests and slopes. Males swim about more openly than females that are oftern in close vicinity to the males. It is usually solitary. They feed on sea squirts, polychaete worms, sponges, molluscs,copepods and algae. A characteristic of these fish is the bony carapace that encases their bodies. The fish is also noable for its ability to discharge the toxic substance ostracitoxin when stressed. This species changes gender (females becomes males) at it ages.
LIPSTICK TANG "LABAHITA, INDANGAN,ISDANG ILOG" (NASO LITURATUS).The lipstick tang is from the Indo-Pacific. Its common name refers to the red around the lips. They are also called "unicorfish" because of a spike that protrudes from the forehead in some species; however, others have a bulbous protrusion rather than a pronounced spike, and some lack a spike altogether. Unicornfish usually have a pair of spines on each side of the tail shaft that are used for defense. Found in seaward reefs. Feeds mainly on leafy brown algae.
COMMON CUTLEFISH "PUSIT LUMOT, BAGULAN" (SEPIA OFFCINALIS).The basic coloring of the common cuttlefish veries, due to structures contained in its skin that allow it to changes its skin texture and color. The genus sepia refers to the type of ink it houses within its body. When a predator is near, the ink is shot out into the water to confuse the predator while the cuttlefish swims to safery. It has eight arms and two tentacles. Cuttlefish are molluscs that possess an internal shell called the cuttlebone. This shell is made of calcium carbonate and helps control the molluscs bouyancy. Cuttlebones are commonly used as calcium rich dietry supplements for caged birds and reptiles.
CHAMBERED NAUTILUS "BISOCOL, TUKSI" (NAUTILUS POMPLIUS SULUENSIS).The chambared Nautilus usually lives where the slopes of coral reefs descend into deep waters. During the day, it residue in dark cool waters at deepths from 900 to 2,oo feet and ascends to shallower waters(300 to 500 feet deep) at night to feed. Their eyes are comparable to a pinhole camera instead of vision, the animals is thought to use olfaction (sence of smell) as the primarily sensort means during foraging locating or identifying potential mates. Nautiluses are predators and feed mainly on small fish, shrimp and other small crustaceans, which are captured by the tentacles.
FLASHLIGHT FISH (ANOMALOPS KATOPTRON).Flashlight fish have luminous organs called photophores beneath the eyes. The light is generated by bioluminescent bacteria that live in special pouches (it is similar to the glow produced by fireflies). Flashlight fish often forage for zooplankton in shallow water on moonless night. However, they are believed to inhabit depths in excess of 100 m during daytime. The larger, deep water form is occasionally collected by fishing at depths of 200 to 400 meters. It is caught with cast nets in relatively shallow Philippine waters.
DOMINO DAMSEL "PALATA" (DASCYLLUS TRIMACULATUS).It inhabits lagoons and coral reefs. Juveniles are often associated with large sea anemones and are sometimes seen with anemonefish. As they grom, three spor dascyllus lose the ability to live in anemones. Adult occurs in small to large aggregations. Feeds on algae, copepods, and other planktonic crustaceans.
MANDARIN FISH "BUNOG" ( SYNCHIROPUS SPLENDIDUS).Mandarin fish are reef dwellers, preferring sheltered lagoons and inshore reefs. While they are slow moving and fairy common within their range, they are not easily seen due to there range, they are not easily seen due to their bottom-feeding habit and their small size (reaching only about 6 cm). They feed primarily on small crutaceans and other invertebrates. The name of the mandarinfish comes from its extremely vivid coloration, evoking the robes of an imperial Chinese mandarin.
THIS IS THE ACTUAL PICTURES THAT I COMPILED IN MANILA OCEAN PARK MARCH 16, 2008. (CLICK PICTURE TO ENLARGE).
