MissyP:
Vice versa, my dear Missy! Snicker, snicker...
Catalina / So. California - What animals are dangerous
- Thread starter cadiver67
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Vice versa, my dear Missy! Snicker, snicker...
We have very few triggerfish (finescale triggers) here on Catalina and they tend to be very skittish. Not known for sure if they even breed here and triggers are generally aggressive only in defense of their nest territories. Chance of encounter 0.01%
Our Pacific barracuda are the schooling type and look "mean" but are pretty harmless unless you are trying to remove the hook you caught one with.
Our only grouper size fish is the black sea bass (actually a member of the wreckfish family). They are a joy to dive with, although one should keep potential food away while observing them as they can try to gulp it (and your arm) down. Although their size can intimidate a diver first observing them, I relish my encounters.
Scorpionfish here are not near as venomous as the stonefish, but can be painful so watch where (IF) you place your hands as they are well camouflaged. Some of our sea jellies have very mild stings but others can raise a good welt on you. Nothing deadly and you're pretty protected in the thick exposure suits we were in SoCal. Just watch exposed parts of your body like your face.
Good thing about MissyP is she has thoughtfully elected to adorn her body in "warning coloration" similar to that employed by nudibranchs. Hers is usually bright pink in color, but occasionally there are hints of purple! Be forewarned!!
Our Pacific barracuda are the schooling type and look "mean" but are pretty harmless unless you are trying to remove the hook you caught one with.
Our only grouper size fish is the black sea bass (actually a member of the wreckfish family). They are a joy to dive with, although one should keep potential food away while observing them as they can try to gulp it (and your arm) down. Although their size can intimidate a diver first observing them, I relish my encounters.
Scorpionfish here are not near as venomous as the stonefish, but can be painful so watch where (IF) you place your hands as they are well camouflaged. Some of our sea jellies have very mild stings but others can raise a good welt on you. Nothing deadly and you're pretty protected in the thick exposure suits we were in SoCal. Just watch exposed parts of your body like your face.
Good thing about MissyP is she has thoughtfully elected to adorn her body in "warning coloration" similar to that employed by nudibranchs. Hers is usually bright pink in color, but occasionally there are hints of purple! Be forewarned!!
JodiBB
Guest
We've seen some poisonous rockfish/stonefish....careful where you put your finger down on the rocks!!! You may end up getting hurt!
JodiBB:
Stone scorpionfish perhaps, but not stonefish here in southern California.
Robert Phillips
Contributor
I would have to say the Pacific Spiny Lobster, but fortunately, the season is closed.
The animal itself is not dangerous, but it has been known to do strange things to divers thought processes.
2nd to that would be the urchin. Especially when hunting for the above!
The animal itself is not dangerous, but it has been known to do strange things to divers thought processes.
2nd to that would be the urchin. Especially when hunting for the above!
David P
Guest
wow, its pretty nice to see such a strong So Cal turn out here.
Whats the name of that big sheepshead at the point, Oscar? I hear he can get kinda rowdy if he doesn't get fed frozen peas in a while...
Whats the name of that big sheepshead at the point, Oscar? I hear he can get kinda rowdy if he doesn't get fed frozen peas in a while...
David P:
Is the Sheepshead still a Mr., or is it now Oscarina?
To stay on thread - the most dangerous scuba thing on Catalina are new golf cart drivers scuttling around town and eating too much ice cream at Big Olafs.
BTW, I agree with the lobster and urchin part. It hurts!!!
OP
cadiver67
Contributor
Hi All,
Very cool! Thanks for all the information and a few chuckles.
My wife and I are just newly certified and we will be diving at the Casino Point Park this Sunday. Can't Wait !!
I guess for a long while we shall practice the no touching plan.
Someone told me to bring frozen peas to feed the fish - is that OK?
Doesn't sound right for a protected area.
Thanks
cadiver67
Very cool! Thanks for all the information and a few chuckles.
My wife and I are just newly certified and we will be diving at the Casino Point Park this Sunday. Can't Wait !!
I guess for a long while we shall practice the no touching plan.
Someone told me to bring frozen peas to feed the fish - is that OK?
Doesn't sound right for a protected area.
Thanks
cadiver67
cadiver67:
Good question. I never encouraged fish feeding with any of my students at Casino. The bad thing is that through habituation some fish expect to be paid and can be downright pushy about it. It's a lovely place to dive and if you goes towards the right (of the stairs) and away from the main floats you can get away from the crush of newly certified divers and their instructors.
Remember not to place your tanks upright on the wall and to smoke a cigarette after the dive.
OP
cadiver67
Contributor
Hey Mr. X,
Was that Remember to smoke a cigarette after the dive or not to smoke after the dive?
Now I would love to smoke a cig afterwards but my diving instructor wouldn't let me have a cup of coffee or a can of coke on dive day much less a cigarette.
She was pretty tough LOL
cadiver67
Was that Remember to smoke a cigarette after the dive or not to smoke after the dive?
Now I would love to smoke a cig afterwards but my diving instructor wouldn't let me have a cup of coffee or a can of coke on dive day much less a cigarette.
She was pretty tough LOL
cadiver67
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