Category: Marine life in Bali

Welcome to the Southern Dreams Diving Club blog. Ludo and Patricia want to share with you all our knowledge about the impressive and diverse marine life in Bali.

Do you know why the marine life in Bali is so diverse?

Located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, Bali has more than 393 species of coral and also 952 species of reef fish.

Bali is surrounded by not just one but two oceans, creating unique marine biodiversity. That makes diving in Bali simply extraordinary.

Meet some of the biggest fish that live in our oceans!

Did you know that the oceanic sunfish is the heaviest fish and that the oceanic manta ray one of the largest fish that exists? It is true! And the good thing is that you can see them on your dives in Bali!

We can also dive with sharks, especially in the islands of Candidasa. And occasionally, we can see the biggest shark that exists, the whale shark.

Macro marine life in Bali

For macro critters-lovers, in Bali, you can see the pygmy seahorse, which is the smallest species of seahorse.

You can also see numerous nudibranchs and frogfish as small as a few millimeters only.

And of course, there is also a great variety of small crabs and shrimps on every coral.

The weirdest fish

Have you ever seen a ghost pipefish, a frogfish, a mimic octopus, or a humphead parrotfish? Do you know that there are solar-powered nudibranchs? These are just a few examples of the strangest fish that live on the reefs of Bali.

The variety of tropical fish is impressive!

Not because they are more common are they less interested! There are hundreds of species of tropical fish that live on the reefs of Bali. Their colors and shapes are so different that you can’t stop staring at them!

Below you will find our articles accompanied by photos and videos that we have taken during the years we have been diving in Bali.

You can see more videos and photos on our YouTube channel and our social networks Facebook and Instagram. Enjoy it!

Pygmy seahorse

Scuba diving in Bali with pygmy seahorse.

Pygmy seahorse. 10 Fun facts

1.The pygmy seahorse is the smallest species of seahorse in the world

bali-marine-life-pygmy-seahorse — Denise pygmy seahorse

2. The first pygmy seahorse was not found in the sea but in a laboratory

It happened completely by accident in 1969, in Australia. While studying gorgonian muricella, a scientist found two tiny bargibanti seahorses.

The next year, they were scientifically cataloged for the first time.

Biologists have identified seven new species since 2000. All live in the Southeast Asian Coral Triangle.

Seahorse

Scuba diving in Bali with seahorse.

Seahorse – Fun Facts

1. It doesn’t look like, but it is a fish!

Seahorses (genus Hippocampus) are intriguing little creatures. They are fish belonging to the Syngnathidae family, which also includes needlefish and pipefish as well.

Its scientific name comes from the Greek (hippos, which means “horse”) and kampos (“sea monster”).

Marine life in Bali, seahorse

Video by Ludovic Amevor

Manta ray

Scuba diving with manta ray in Bali.

What is a manta ray?

Manta rays, one of the world’s largest fish, are unique-looking and peaceful creatures.

They are commonly found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, typically near the equator and coral reefs.

“Manta” means blanket or cloak in Spanish, describing the look of the animals’ large, flat, diamond-shaped bodies.

Diving with manta rays in Nusa Penida, Bali

Mola Mola

Diving with Mola Mola in Bali: Everything You Need to Know

Diving with the elusive Mola Mola (also known as the ocean sunfish) in Bali is a dream come true for many divers. As the world’s largest bony fish, this gentle giant captivates divers with its massive size and unique characteristics. Let’s dive deeper into the fascinating world of the Mola, uncover fun facts about these remarkable creatures, and explore where and how you can encounter them while diving in Bali.

Fascinating Facts About Mola Mola

1. The Largest Bony Fish on Earth

Molas can grow up to an incredible 4 meters in wingspan and weigh over 2 tons! Their extraordinary size makes them one of the ocean’s most breathtaking sights.

Diving with Mola Mola in Candidasa, Bali

Video by Ludovic Amevor