As we all know, there is a wonderful mangrove forest right in front of our resort, yet few people come here to wander.

It’s not because of crocodiles — we simply don’t have any. If anyone insists otherwise, they’ll have to bring one here and release it themselves.

The real reason is simple: divers and snorkellers are usually eager to see fish in the reef, and simply have no extra time to explore the mangroves.

Instead, those of us who are stationed on the island long term often go there to look for little surprises.

The other day, we spotted this juvenile circular spadefish pretending to be a leaf, drifting with the current in the mangroves.

Its body swayed gently with the flow, but its eyes kept rolling around, staring at us closely.

A few times it was swept away by the current, fearing it would be exposed.


After judging that we posed no threat, it took advantage of the surge, spotted a pile of leaves ahead, darted into them, and continued floating lazily along.

Sighting location: Mangroves in front of The Village Bunaken Resort

P.S. Back in 2015, at our Fish in Air Dive Center Tulamben branch, we also saw a circular spadefish at the Sidem dive site. On that day a guest’s TG4 camera fogged up.
To capture this fish, he simply opened the underwater housing, let water in to defog it, and kept shooting.

Fish Information

Common names: Circular spadefish / Circular batfish

Scientific name: Platax orbicularis

Juvenile circular spadefish mimic dead leaves to avoid predators, while adults develop a silvery.