Jawfish Lair is one of the best and most popular Lankayan Island dive sites. It's named after the jawfish that are always seen here. Jawfish grow to larger sizes here than in the rest of Sabah. They are still pretty small here and it takes a trained eye to find them.  Normally they show just their head out of their rubble burrow although sometimes the feisty little characters venture further out and display their whole bodies. Very lucky divers can see them with a mouth full of their eggs, a much sought after photograph.
There is much more to see at this dive site besides jawfish. A very special critter is the mimic octopus which tries to protect itself by imitating other marine species. What it mimics depends on what predator is close by, popular impersonations include the banded sea snake and cuttlefish. Ornate ghost pipefish, scorpionfish and frogfish are other cryptic reef inhabitants at Jawfish Lair. Nudibranchs and sea slugs do not disguise themselves but instead allow their bright colours to warm predators of their poisonous skin.
Hard coral species on the reef include table coral, robust staghorn coral, bush coral, maze coral, mushroom coral and pore coral. Cristmas tree worms and feather stars add colour as do sea stars and encrusting sponge. Spiny sea urchins will cause pain to any diver who gets too close. Bubble corals, resembling bunches of white grapes, are home to shrimps. Small reef fish such as anthias and damsels make their homes in the coral. Other residents are parrotfish, triggerfish, trumpet fish and grouper. Schools of snapper and fusilier are ever present. On the sandy patches at the edge of the reef it is possible to see stingrays and leopard sharks.
The maximum depth is 30m. Currents are usually mild. Visibility can range from just 5m up to 20m. |
