5 Endemic Marine Species of Indonesia You Should Know
Indonesia is the biggest archipelagic country in the world and also located at the center of coral triangle, both of which making Indonesia rich in marine biodiversity. Currently, at least 3429 species of marine fish species recorded live in Indonesian seas. In this article, I will try to give information about 5 endemic marine species of Indonesia.
Banggai Cardinalfish
The Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) is a small tropical cardinalfish in the family Apogonidae and it is the only member of its genus. This species is restricted to the Banggai Islands of Indonesia. This species extremely limited geographic range and small total population size (estimated at 2.4 million). The Banggai cardinalfish is composed of isolated populations concentrated around shallows of 17 large and 10 small island within the Banggai Archipelago. Small populations also found in Secret Bay, north west Bali.
Nursalim Flasher Wrasse
Paracheilinus nursalim is one of the new species of flasher wrasses from New Guinea which is still completely unknown in the aquarium world. Only described in 2008, this species was discovered on the biological expedition to the Bird’s Head Peninsula of Western New Guinea. Known primarily from the FakFak and Kaimana coastlines, this beautiful flasher wrasse is seen in Raja Ampat only in southeastern Misool in depths of 20 to 35 metes.
Indonesian Sawtail
Prionurus chrysurus is tropical fish endemic to the coral reefs around Nusa Penida to Komodo Island, Indonesia. You can found it singly, pairs or in loose schools on rocky coastal reefs and estuaries. This species belongs to Achanturidhae family.
Indonesia Electric Ray
Indonesia electric ray or torpedo skates was found around Java Island to Komodo Island waters. The body size is around 30 cm. This species live on sand and soft grounds. You should be careful if you meet this species when you dive. They are slow-moving bottom dwellers of generating electricity as a defense and feeding mechanism.
Indonesian Speckled Carpet shark
Hemiscyllium freycineti , also known as Raja Ampat walking shark, this charismatic norcturnal species is common in shallow reef and sea grass beds in Raja Ampat, where it can swim like walks across the bottom in search of their foods, crustaceans and small fish.
