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Coral reefs are, without a doubt, one of the true natural treasures of our earth. They are home to an enormous variety of life forms, which is why they are often compared with tropical rainforests. Coral reefs need sunlight and warm water to exist. As a result, we only find coral reefs between the 30th parallels north and south of the equator. The minimum temperature that tropical corals can exist in is 20 degree C.
Coral reefs are a complex system of uncountable micro-living spaces. In addition to the visible plants and animals, there are millions of nearly invisible, microscopic organisms that reside in these micro-caves and crevices inside of the coral blocks. Also, legions of tiny creatures called 'zooplankton' live directly above the reef. These creatures are an essential link in the reef food chain.
The Andaman Sea, which is part of the Indian Ocean, hosts a unique variety of marine life. More than 3000 different types of fish and over 500 unique corals have been identified and catalogued to date. According to experts on this region, there still exists a great quantity of undiscovered marine life - a challenge for all underwater photographers to become the first to document and perhaps even name a new species.
Coral reefs are now facing the threat of massive destruction on a global scale. Fishing with dynamite and cyanide, specifically in Indonesia and the Philippines, has destroyed countless reefs already. As a result of global warming, more and more of the phenomenon known as 'coral bleaching' is also occurring. When bleaching takes place, the symbiotic algae in the corals are expelled and the corals become transparent. When this happens, it becomes possible to see through to the white limestone underneath, hence the name 'coral bleaching'. Most of the corals will eventually recover from the bleaching, but if the warmer water temperatures last too long, the corals will be destroyed forever.
RAYS
KUHLS STINGRAY (Dasyatis kuhlii), Wi: to 40 cm
Widespread species, living on vast sand flats, by day often buried in the sand. It has a caudal fin fold, and usually two stings set midway on the tail. Tip of tail distinct. Often mistaken as Blue spotted Stingray (Taeniura lymna).
BLOTCHED FANTAIL RAY (Taeniura meyeni), Wi: to 2m
Most common stingray species in our area. The species is encountered along the base of drop-offs or on sand flats in or near coral reefs. By blowing into the substrate, the ray dislodges mollusks and crustaceans from the sand, which are taken up and eaten. Not being shy, this large ray is a good photographic model.
SPOTTED EAGLE RAY (Aetobatus narinari), Wi: to 3m
This species is easy to recognize with its dark dorsal surface, which carries small white spots, and a striking head. It is found mainly in open water of coastal coral reef areas as well as around atolls. Mainly encountered singly or in small groups. Their favorite prey are shelled mollusks, which they crack open between two flat dental plates consisting of interlocked rows of crushing teeth.
MANTA RAY (Manta birostris), Wi: to 7m
The largest ray lives pelagically in the open sea, but is also observed near reefs at cleaning-stations to allow cleaner wrasses to remove skin parasites and old skin. The huge Manta ray is a filter feeder, like the whale shark. It feeds on plankton and small fish. The prey is guided into the enormous mouth by a fleshy lobe on each side of the head. Manta rays feed close to the surface, where plankton tends to accumulate. In the process, the rays execute somersaults and even break the surface. They can sometimes be observed jumping high out of the water. What may appear to be playing is usually a form of dominant behavior, or an attempt to shed dermal parasites. Manta rays are viviparous and usually give birth to two young after a gestation period of thirteen months.
SPOTTED SHOVELNOSE RAY (Rhynchobatus djiddensis), L: to 310 cm
This fascinating fish is a bridge of sorts between the evolution of sharks and rays. The species lives on sand or coral rubble down to 50 m, and is sometimes seen in extremely shallow water. They are viviparous with a litter size of about four. They mainly feed on crustaceans and other shelled invertebrates.
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