Fauna of the Camotes Sea

An inter-island sea in the Philippine archipelago, between the islands of Leyte, Bohol and Cebu. It is connected to the Visayan Sea in the north and the Mindanao Sea in the south by the Canigao and Bohol Straits.

Common inhabitants of the Camotes Sea 

The Camotes Sea is home to many species of fish, some of which are endemic. The coral reefs are home to Acanthuridae, Tetraodontidae, muraena and others. Sardines, Sulu skate, ocean sunfish, mackerel, narrow-barred Spanish mackerel, great barracuda, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi, dotted grouper, red snapper, yellowtail snapper, mangrove snapper and cubera snapper also inhabit the waters. Black marlin and sailfish swim in schools from May to June. 

Rare fish species in the Camotes Sea

In addition to the common fish species, the waters of the Camotes Sea are also home to several unique and lesser known species such as the beautiful Elegant Firefish, the fearsome Knifetooth Sawfish, the colourful Spikefin Goby, the spotted Ocellaris Clownfish, the winged Banded Eagle Ray and the beautiful Beautiful Dartfish.

Diving in the Camotes Sea

The clear waters of Camotes Sea have amazing colours, caves, coral reefs, rich underwater world with excellent diving and snorkelling opportunities. Here you can see colourful coral walls decorated with Alcyonacea and sponge, crinoid of different shapes and colours. A variety of tropical fish swim around: Angelfish, Scorpaeniformes, Hymenocera and other marine life.

Sharks in the Camotes Sea

Endemic to the Camotes Sea is the endangered white tip shark, a member of the Triakidae family. Other shark species found here include the silvertip shark, grey reef shark, silky shark, sand shark, tiger shark, great hammerhead, whale shark and great white shark.