Fauna of the Banda Sea

A sea in the western Pacific Ocean, between the islands of the Malay Archipelago. The Coral Triangle region has the greatest diversity of coral reef species.

The inhabitants of the bottom of the Banda Sea

The seabed and coral reefs are inhabited by marine worms, snakes, polyp colonies, crustaceans (crabs, shrimps, lobsters), cephalopods (squid, cuttlefish, octopus, nautilus), echinoderms (starfish, sea urchins) and clams.

Common fish of the Banda Sea

There are many large inhabitants such as dolphins, swordfish and Indo-Pacific sailfish. Many jellyfish and a variety of fish move through the water column: Acanthurus, mandarinfish, emperor angelfish, mobula, eagle ray, wrasse, barracuda and jack. The most common are bluespine unicornfish, rabbitfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, parrotfish, various species of Epinephelus and small schools of yellowfin goatfish.

Interesting inhabitants of the Banda Sea

In these waters you can meet the talking fish Umbrina reedi. They are able to make sounds similar to grunting. Fishermen can easily identify the location of a group of these fish by these sounds.

Mammals of the Banda Sea

Several species of cetaceans have been recorded, including blue whale, pygmy blue whale and Omura's whale.

Sharks of the Banda Sea

The Banda Sea is home to a large number and variety of sharks. The most common are: Whitetip Reef Shark and Bottom Sharks (Angelshark, Ginglymostomatidae, Carpet Shark). Occurrences: Tiger shark, shortfin mako shark, blue shark and oceanic whitetip shark.

Dangerous creatures of the Banda Sea 

The waters of this sea are home to the saltwater crocodile, which can grow to seven metres in length. Other dangerous sea creatures include stingrays, spiny scorpaena and pterois, blue-ringed octopus, venomous Conidae, scalding box jellyfish and Portuguese man o' war.