Life out of the blue - Artificial reef...
In 2005 we built an artificial reef in front of our diving center, at 7 meters depth using concrete blocks and stones. Our purpose was to study the growth of underwater life and to provide a more interesting environment for Discover Scuba dives, night dives and courses. We couldn't imagine that after 9 years this place that we named Magiatika( Greek for greater amberjacks) will become a house for numerous species of marine life. Jacks and coastal fishes are visiting almost every day, breams are very friendly to the divers, and various sea basses, wrasses and reef fishes can be spotted all day long. Scorpion fishes are a frequent attraction like Largesclaled scorpionfish Scorpaena scrofa and a Small red scorpionfish Scopraena notata. 2013 brought along moray eels too,specifically a young mediterranean moray that stayed all summer in the Park.
Crabs are walking on the stones, Gastropoda, bivalves and Cephalopoda are increasing in number almost all of the built blocks are occupied by octopuses, of the common Octapus vulgaris and the white spotted kind Octopus macropus. Although they usually keep in their holes, observing passers by, sometimes they are playing with the divers by extending their legs. We don't disturb them but since we see them daily, a simple hello is enough. Expect to see cucumbers, urchins, worms, anemones, growing Bryozoa, flower corals, tunicates and even sponges! In 2013, we were happy to see also sea slugs! Giant Doris Hypselodoris picta, Hervia Cratena peregrina and Thuridilla hopei, all of them rare, inhabited the house reef. We are trying to preserve the natural habitat by not intervening or keeping species passing by that's why we don't feed them. We only protect the place, especially from ourselves, by not touching or bumping on the blocks. Magiatika dive site has become a unique spot for relax dives,underwater photography, DSDs and night dives.