From Octopus' Garden to Coral Cemetary

From TodayOnline.com

JAKARTA - Coral gardens that were among Asia's most spectacular just a few months ago have been transformed into desolate grey moonscapes by illegal fishermen who use explosives or cyanide to kill or stun their prey.

The site is among several to have been hit inside Komodo National Park in eastern Indonesia. The area's remote waters burst with staggering diversity, from corals in fluorescent reds and yellows to octopuses with lime-green banded eyes.

Dive operators and conservationists say Indonesia's government is not doing enough to keep illegal fishermen out of the boundaries of the national park, a United Nations World Heritage site. They say enforcement declined greatly following the exit two years ago of a United States-based environmental group that helped fight destructive fishing practices.

Local officials disagree, pointing to dozens of arrests and several deadly gunbattles with suspects.

Michael Ishak, a scuba instructor and professional underwater photographer who has made hundreds of trips to the area, said he's seen more illegal fishermen than ever this year. The pictures, he said, speak for themselves. AP

Please visit TodayOnline.com to see startling pictures of the devastation.

Species: Bimac Octopus or California Two-Spot Octopus

The Octopus Bimaculoides, also called Bimac Octopus, or simply Two-Spot Octopus gets its name from the false eye spots under each eye. In California Two-Spot Octopuses, the eye spots are an iridescent blue chain link circle set in a circle of black located on the side of the head.

This species reaches a mantle size of 7 inches (17.5 cm) and arms to 23 inches (58 cm). They're not usually heavily textured and has several common colors, such as grey with yellow splotches.

The habitat of the California Two-Spot Octopus is intertidal and benthic-from the low tide zone to subtidal depths of about 20 meters (65 ft). They prefer sandy substrate and caves of rock or debris to hide in and can tolerate a wide temperature range (at least 60-80F);though they prefer 65-72 F.

California Two-Spot Octopuses eat a varied diet of clams, mussels, small crabs, crayfish, snails. Hatchlings feed on amphipods or mysid shrimp.

Due to their friendly temperament and relative hardiness, they are considered by most experts to make the best pet octopus. Bimacs usually live to be about two years old. They are closely related to Verrill's Two-Spot Octopus, also known as Octopus Bimaculatus.

If you happen to be in the Southern California area, you can see a California Two-Spot Octopus for yourself at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium.