ALGAE 333 species of algae are reported at the Gal?pagos, (35 % are endemics). During “El Ni?o” many of the algae are replaced by others which can grow better in warm waters, changing the food chain.
INVERTEBRATES 24 species of sea urchins, 28 of sea stars, 30 of sea cucumbers, approximately 600 of mollusca, and more than 100 of crabs exist in the Galapagos. The colors of the Blue Sea Star Phataria Unifascialis, the shape of the Black Spiny Brittle Star Ophiocoma aethiops, the red phosphorescent skin of the Horse conch Fasciolaria Princeps and the quantity of Slate Pencil Urchins Eucidaris thouarsii will fascinate you during the dives. We strongly recommend the book “A Field Guide to Sea Stars and other Equinoderms of Gal?pagos. By Cleveland P.Hickman, Jr. of Sugar Spring Press, 1998.
CORALS 31 non-reef building corals (30% of them are endemic) and 13 reef builders are reported. The Gal?pago have the same quantity and diversity of corals as other parts of the east Pacific. They are congregated in some areas, especially in Darwin and Wolf where more warm waters are present. Out of those congregations, you should not expect to find large quantities of corals.
Scuba diving Galapagos islandsFISH There are more than 300 species of fish (17% are endemic to the Galapagos). Big schools of Creole Fish (Gringo or Paranthias colonus), Black Striped Salema (Oj?n or Xenocys jessiae), groups of Almaco Jacks (Palometa or Seriola rivoliana), Barracudas (Sphyraena idiastes), Moorish Idol (Zanclus cornutus), and dancing Rainbow Wrass (Vieja Arco Iris or Thalassoma lucasanum) are common.
You may see a Pacific Seahorse (Caballito de Mar or Hippocamous ingens) hanging in a Black Coral, a Fantail Pipefish ( Pez pipa or Doryrhamphus excisus) inside a small crevice and several Red-lipped Batfish (Pez Murci?lago or Ogcocephalus darwini) lying in the sand, the Sanguine Frogfish (Pez Sapo or Antennatus sanguineus) changing colors due to the surroundings sponges are more of a challenge to see because of their size and camouflage.
Scuba diving in Galapagos islands - diving in Galapagos islands Ecuador
Galapagos Barnacle Blennies ( Acanthemblemaria castroi) living inside old barnacles, Yellow-tail Damselfish (Damisela Cola Amarilla or Stegastes arcifrons) protecting their algae garden, Wrasses cleaning other fish, Stone Scorpionfish (Brujo or Scorpaena plumieri mystes) with the same shape and color of the rocks, fascinating juvenile Giant Damselfish (Damisela Gigante or Microspathodon dorsalis) with their iridescent blue spots and the poisonous Bulleye Puffer (Tambulero or Sphoeroides annulatus) are easy to see.
Scuba diving Galapagos islands Many Fine Spotted Morays ( Morena Puntofino or Gymnothorax dovii) opening their mouth to breathe, congregations of Galapagos Garden Eels (Anguilas de Jard?n or Taenioconger klausewitzi), and several species of rays including the huge Manta Ray ( Manta or Manta hamiltoni) which reach 7 meters or 22 feet also are common.