The Philippines are a part of the coral triangle, the global epicenter of marine biodiversity. We are blessed with a great number of species of corals, sea slugs, and fishes. There are a few fish families which are particularly species rich – one of them are the cardinalfishes. Fishbase lists 352 species, the majority of which are found in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
They Like to Hide
If you swim over the field of staghorn corals just in front of Salaya, you will see cardinalfish hiding between the coral fingers; if you spot a large, black Diadema sea urchin, some clever cardinalfish might be hiding between its spines; and you will also find cardinalfishes in the sea-grass, next to fan-corals and under table coral ledges. During the day, these fishes tend to hide, and retreat deeper into the safety of their home urchin or coral if approached too carelessly by a diver. You will find cardinalfishes alone, in small groups or in large aggregations.
Night Stalkers
Things change at night, when the cardinals become active hunters. Their large eyes help them locate crabs and shrimps even in very dim light. They are quite successful hunters, and if you do a night dive with us, you will see many cardinalfish hovering just above the sand, moving slowly while on the lookout for prey.
Odd Name?
I always found the resemblance between a small, big-eyed reef fish and an elderly holy man rather mild, but the common name of the Apogonidae (this is how scientists call the cardinalfishes) stems from the golden skin color of many cardinalfish species, resembling the color of a cardinal’s robe.
Mouth Brooding
A very interesting strategy many cardinalfishes use when they reproduce is mouth-brooding. After fertilizing the female’s eggs, the male fish gulps them up, and keeps them safe in his mouth. There the eggs are so much safer from predation by other fishes than eggs laid on a rock. If a hungry egg-seeking fish approaches, the cardinalfish dad can simply swim away with his clutch.
It’s a great strategy, but …. there is always a BUT. The problem is that a mouth full of eggs keeps the male cardinalfish from eating. This severely limits how often it can take care of a clutch of eggs. During breeding season, the health and fat reserves of male cardinalfish go downhill. In some cases, especially when they are terribly starved towards the end of the cardinalfish breeding season, males even eat their own offspring by swallowing the mouth full of eggs they are meant to keep safe!
There are so many crazy, unusual and fascinating things happening underwater! Cardinalfish reproduction is certainly one of them.
Photographing the Cardinals
Lastly, how do you get good underwater photographs of cardinalfishes? As so often, a careful approach is paramount. If you take your time to get close to them and wait patiently, they will get accustomed to your presence. It’s not likely that these fishes will try to escape, but they will turn away from you, and retreat deeper into their hiding space. For interesting head-shots of cardinalfish, you need to wait and stay calm.
Happy diving! If you have any questions about cardinalfishes or other Dauin underwater critters, please contact me at [email protected]
Treat yourself to some relaxation & pampering during your stay
Our Instructor team, including a PADI Course Director, guarantee you a great experience as you learn to dive at Salaya.
Our team is multi-lingual - if you speak English, Chinese, French, Dutch, German or Spanish, we've got you covered!You'll get great service, and amazing view and very cold Beer, Cocktails & Spirits!
We'll also tempt you with complimentary bar snacks such as Chicken Dumplings, Bruschetta, Buffalo Chicken Wings.... and more!
We start at 9.00 am, and end with a meditation about 90 minutes later.
Then relax with breakfast or a shake after class if you wish.
Php 795
Php 1200
您会享受到非常棒的服务、美好的景色以及冰啤酒和鸡尾酒。
我们还会在吧台提供一些精美小餐,例如鸡肉饺子、意式面包小点以及美式脆炸鸡翅...等等。
我们于上午九点开始课程,以冥想结束为时90分钟的课程。
结束课程后,可以吃一顿早餐或喝杯果汁来放松一下身心。
价格795Peso/人
¡Obtendrás un maravilloso servicio, una grandiosa vista y una cerveza bien fría, cocteles y licores!
¡También te seduciremos con nuestra barra de snacks, tales como Dumplings de pollo, Bruschetta, alas de pollo con salsa bufalo… y más!
Empezamos a las 9.00 am, y terminamos con una meditación aproximadamente 90 minutos más tarde.
Luego nos relajaremos con el desayuno o con un batido si usted los desea.
Php 795
Php 1200
Onze instructeur team, met inbegrip van een PADI Course Director, garanderen u een geweldige ervaring als je leert om te duiken in Salaya.
Ons team is meertalig - als je spreekt Engels, Chinees, Frans, Nederlands, Duits of Spaans, hebben wij u gedekt!Trakteer uzelf op ontspanning en verwennerij tijdens uw verblijf
Unser Lehrerteam , darunter ein PADI Course Director, garantieren Ihnen eine große Erfahrung, wie Sie lernen in Salaya zu tauchen.
Unser Team ist mehrsprachig - wenn Sie sprechen Englisch, Chinesisch, Französisch, Niederländisch, Deutsch oder Spanisch, wir haben für Sie!Gönnen Sie sich etwas Entspannung und Verwöhnen Sie während Ihres Aufenthaltes
Notre équipe d'instructeurs, y compris un directeur de cours PADI, vous garantit une grande expérience que vous apprenez à plonger à Salaya.
Notre équipe est multilingue - si vous parlez anglais, chinois, français, néerlandais, allemand ou espagnol, nous avons ce qu'il vous faut!Offrez-vous un moment de détente et cocooning pendant votre séjour
Pasukan Pengajar kami, termasuk Pengarah Kursus PADI, menjamin anda satu pengalaman yang hebat kerana anda belajar untuk menyelam di Salaya.
Pasukan kami adalah pelbagai bahasa - jika anda bertutur dalam Bahasa Inggeris, Cina, Perancis, Belanda, Jerman atau Sepanyol, kami telah mendapat anda dilindungi!Belai diri anda dengan beberapa kelonggaran dan memanjakan sepanjang penginapan anda
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