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The Banda-Flores Sea is one of the most diverse marine communities on Earth, with high fish and coral diversity. They rise from the deep sea, long and slim. From above they look like submarines, but there's nothing man-made about them. These are ridges of land in the Banda-Flores Sea that are topped with lagoons and ringed by coral reefs. Such complexes have formed over thousands of years between deep ocean basins.
Spectacular coral reefs of all shapes, colors, and sizes grow in the clear water. Some reefs can grow as tall as 400 feet (120 m). The diverse reefs and other marine habitats in the ecoregion support many species of fish and invertebrates, some of which are endemic. Islands in the reefs and lagoons also make perfect nesting and breeding spots for colonies of seabirds. Carpet and cat sharks prowl the open waters, but moray eels prefer to hide in the crevices of rocks and coral reefs. Big groupers share the waters with Blainville's beaked whales, which dive and surface among the islands. Hawksbill, green, and leatherback turtles spend most of their time in the water but climb onto land to lay their eggs. Nudibranchs, small mollusks without shells, also inhabit this ecoregion. The bright red Spanish dancer nudibranch is frequently seen undulating through the waters of the reefs. Beautiful soft corals include sea fans and sea pens.
Destructive fishing practices, using dynamite and poison, are a severe threat, as are shark fin fisheries and uncontrolled tourism. Other threats affecting water quality include toxins and erosion from logging and mining, localized oil spills, and sewage pollution in some populated areas.
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