Nudibranch Heaven

By admin on January 26, 2012 in Diving in Bali

As underwater enthusiasts we tend to focus on the things like sharks, whales, dolphins and turtles which of course, why not, they are fascinating. Like many people, these magnificently large, intelligent and ancient forms of life spark both curiosity and sheer amazement. Many people, myself included are drawn to the ocean for this very reason. We saw videos and read books on these incredible species and wanted to see them for ourselves. Anytime you do have an encounter with one of the above, it becomes an absolute memorable experience. Each sighting has it’s own unique element making every sighting unforgettable. Unfortunately, some may only get a chance to see these things in aquariums which for many reasons I don’t agree with, but to see these animals in there true environments among nature swimming in a vast ocean is the way they should be seen. I’ve seen many dolphins and sharks stuck in tanks when I was younger but after seeing them in the open ocean, you realize just how wrong it is for them to be stuck in a confined space day after day. It would be the equivalent of a human living his life, never being able to leave his room. I think we could all agree that this would drive anybody insane… Just one thing to keep in mind next time you pay to see dolphins, whales and sharks in captivity…. The same goes for most animals for that matter…

On a more positive note, one thing I have really come to appreciate since coming out to Bali is something called a Nudibranch. Many people refer to them as sea slugs, which is pretty much what they are, but the term “slug” to describe them just doesn’t do it justice. Nudibranch are actually in the subclass Opisthobranchia from the class of Gastropoda from phylum Mollusca. Before coming out to Indonesia, I had seen Nudibranchs in video’s and magazines before but had never seen one for my own eyes. I’ll never forget the first dive I did out in Seraya when I saw my first Nudibranch. (Well, actually it was two moving together which happens from time to time) Since then I’ve become somewhat obsessed with them. I’ve made it my mission to find and document as many different types of Nudibranchs as possible. With over 3000 different types worldwide there is never any shortage. I have had the pleasure of spotting numerous different types with a vast array of vibrant colors, shapes and sizes. Everyone here knows, if they’re on a fun dive with me and they spot a Nudi, you better show it to Kenzo! Just last week I saw one of the most incredible types of Nudibranch, a spanish dancer around 17m on the USAT Liberty Wreck. I was doing an open water course so I didn’t have my camera to snap a shot. ughh! I must admit it is my pet peeve to see a new type of Nudi and not get a photo of it… Oh well. To date I’ve probably only spotted just over 100 different types but with the new found appreciation I have for these little buggers, I always pay special attention to the small things that many people just swim over while looking for the big stuff. Sure everyone wants to see sharks and turtles but any time I’m on a dive and see a Nudibranch I’ve never seen before I consider it an awesome dive. Luckily for me out in the waters of Indonesia and diving in Bali, there is an abundance of marine life home to thousands marine species and when it comes to Nudibranch, you won’t be disappointed.