“TK II” is our featured Lembeh Dive Site of the Month. All black-sand, algae growth and desolate landscape, Teluk Kembahu II is definitely not one of Lembeh’s prettier dive sites. But does that old trick really fool anyone anymore? When we take a closer look at TKII it comes alive; it is absolutely overflowing with some of Lembeh’s coolest critters!
There are few places in the world where Ambon Scorpionfish are common, and TK II is one of them. This site is home to a variety of these beauties that so perfectly mimic clumps of algae in their coloration as well as their movement. They gently rock and sway their way across the seabed, pausing only long enough to ambush-feed on juvenile fish that are looking for shelter. But don’t be fooled like the little fishes are! These “lacey looking algae clumps” pack a mean punch and are one of the most venomous animals in the Scorpionfish family! Curious about venomous vs. poisonous animals in the Strait?
If you are looking to spend your time around less venomous animals, TK II is also a wonderful dive site for Wonderpus, Mimic, and Coconut Octopus sighting. It is not uncommon for the guides to spot all three on a single dive! While it is usually the beautiful movements and mimicry shows of the Wonderpus and Mimic Octopus that fascinate guests to no end, this month it was the Coconut Octopus with a clutch of eggs that stole the show. For the first half of the month her eggs were clearly visible inside a clear glass bottle she was calling home. Toward the end of the month, one unbelievably lucky group of guests witnessed a swarm of miniscule baby Coconut Octopus exiting the bottle for their first-ever swim.
Another reason TK II was such a crowd-pleasing site this month was because of the mated pair of Ornate Ghostpipefish. As we watched her egg pouch swell throughout the month, photographers were given the opportunity to test their skills on a very interesting subject. http://www.twofishdivers.com/2016/02/the-reproductive-lives-of-lembeh-pipefish/
Also making an appearance at TK II again this month was a small group of overly-friendly Remoras. Whether these curious critters make you laugh or freak you out, no one can deny their entertainment value. One playful Remora trailed a dive group at TK II for an entire dive, attaching itself to dive tanks when given the opportunity and catching a free ride to the reef.
Did you dive at TK on your last visit to Lembeh? We would love to see your photos or hear your stories about this ever-popular dive site. And if you haven’t been there yet, put in a dive-site request for Teluk Kembahu II on your next visit to the area!
