Juvenile barramundi cod, Cromileptes altivelis, are snow white with black dots, and inhabit coral reefs, hiding in crevices and among branching corals or coral rubble on sheltered reefs.
Their obvious markings and distinctive undulating swimming style are believed to make them appear like toxic flatworms to predators—an example of Batesian mimicry.
In Batesian mimicry a harmless species imitates the warning signals of a harmful species to deter a mutual predator.
The Lembeh Strait in North Sulawesi is famous for its unusually high marine biodiversity, particularly of unusual animals that live on the exposed sand areas.
Matthew Oldfield is a freelance photographer based in Bali, Indonesia, specializing in editorial and documentary images from both above and below the waves. He works primarily with charities, NGO’s, and other organizations working to conserve the environment, endangered species, and disappearing cultures.
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