The Rare Purple firefish Is Back in Kushimoto!
Today, I joined a fun diving training session for local high school students in the afternoon.
They had earned their Open Water Diver certifications while still in high school, and this was their very first fun dive!
Everyone had a great time enjoying their first fun diving experience (^^)
Before the training session, I had some free time, so I went on a survey dive for the first time in a while.
My target was the rare Purple firefish (Nemateleotris decora)!
Yesterday, Matano-san from Kushimoto Diving Center shared some exciting information with me.
As soon as I heard the news, I knew I had to go and see it!
So I headed out first thing in the morning!!!
Purple firefish (Nemateleotris decora) also appeared for a short time last year.
This fish is usually found at depths of around 40m, but this time it appeared at just 23–24m!!!
Nitrox is recommended, and being able to observe this rare fish at this depth is a really special opportunity!!
I have a feeling many divers will be excited to see this fish over the coming weekend (^^)
I hope it stays with us for a long time, so let's observe it gently and give it plenty of space.
Enjoying Underwater Photography in Kushimoto
Thanks to a busy summer full of diving, it had been quite a while since I last took my DSLR camera underwater♪
Today, I enjoyed a photo dive while looking for interesting marine life to photograph.
One of the fish I photographed was Square-spot fairy basslet (Pseudanthias pleurotaenia).
When I first found this individual, it was only about 5cm long.
Now it has grown to over 10cm and looks like a fully grown adult!
It has also become quite comfortable around divers, making it easier to photograph.
It lives in a dark area inside a rocky recess, which makes it a great subject for black-background photography.
You can enjoy experimenting with different photography techniques here (^^)
Photographing Phycocaris simulans
Since I finally had my DSLR camera with me, I also photographed Phycocaris simulans, which I had found during my guiding dives.
There are sea fans in a variety of colors, almost like a little farm!
You can choose your favorite color and size when taking photos.
This one is a male.
They are all tiny, but this individual has a transparent body.
Every time I saw it while guiding, I kept thinking how beautiful it would look against a black background.
And it turned out exactly as I imagined!!!
Right next to it, there was also a female carrying eggs.
Females have a rounder, stockier body, making them easier to photograph even with a compact underwater camera.
Don't Miss This Rare Diving Opportunity!
I'm so happy that I got to see my main target today, Purple firefish (Nemateleotris decora) (^^)
I'll be teaching Open Water Diver courses tomorrow and the day after, so I won't be able to visit it again for a little while.
But if I get the chance this weekend, I'd love to go back and see it again!!!
We never know how long Purple firefish (Nemateleotris decora) will stay in Kushimoto.
If you'd love to see this rare fish or take some underwater photos, come and visit us soon (^^)
Weekdays are usually quieter, making them a great choice for divers who want to take their time and enjoy underwater photography!
If you're interested in fun diving in Kushimoto, feel free to contact us through our official LINE account or website♪
So many rare and interesting marine creatures have been appearing in Kushimoto this month!
I'm really excited to see what other amazing marine life we'll discover next (^^)
See you underwater!
Temporary Closure Notice: November 2026 – March 2027
We will be temporarily closed on selected dates between November 2026 and March 2027 due to diving tours and our New Year holiday closure.
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.
Please check the following link for details.
Today's Diving Conditions in Kushimoto
Weather: Sunny
Air Temperature: 21–28°C
Water Temperature: 24.8–25.6°C (Kushimoto)
Visibility: 10–15m (Kushimoto)
Recommended Exposure Protection
5 mm wetsuit (for ocean diving)
Announcements
◾️ Diving Tour
• Shiretoko Drift Ice Diving Tour 2027, Hokkaido | Join On-Site in Shiretoko
◾️ Event Information
• Drysuit Diving in Kushimoto | Free Drysuit Rental Campaign 2026
• Nudibranch Safari in Kushimoto | Seasonal Macro Diving Event
◾️ Media
• We are one of the guide shops responsible for posting seasonal ocean updates from Kushimoto on “海旬”.
• Instagram is regularly updated!
• Our YouTube channel is now available!
• A video of Japanese Giant Salamander was featured by diving_partner on their platform.
