CCV Orientation/Checkout Dive ?

[Doc]

My favourite micro life was the little blue cleaner shrimps, (in Curacao) that hung around the sea anemones. I would rest my finger on a rocky part, close to it,..and they would come out and give me a manicure! The cutest thing ever.

Now, here's your "assignment". Get close and play with your Pedersen Cleaning Shrimp- I think that's what you found if you were looking at Corkscrew Anemones. Then, let your eyes adjust to the light and look down to the bottom of the relaxed Anemone. If you are gentle and make the right slow motion moves, you may see the red/white feelers of a symbiotic Crustacean that lives at the bottom. Here he is now:

Most all anemones have this doubled up arrangement... Shrimp/Crab combos. I still wonder what else I have been missing!

...I remember one of the times I was in the dive shop at CCV they had some for sale but I don't remember how long ago it was or how much they were and they were the ones that Doc probably brought down for them....am I right Doc??

Yes, I got them down there for Patty, the owner of the Dockside Dive Center. I would guess they were $5 or less, with a lanyard. Remember, a single glass lens, maybe 2" around, about 10x. E-mail Dockside Dive Center and ask.

edit to add: I found them on the internet, look at item #10PKT $9.95 (10X 2 inch Glass LensFolding Pocket Magnifier) on this geeky website. Like I said, I buy them at Gun Shows for half of that by the single piece.

 

[DeputyDan]

It there is a no risk bet - then recommending the front yard is no risk.

The orientation dive is actually good. Especially letting you know where to come in off the walls!

 

[HenrikBP]

Pocket magnifier:

2 inch 10x Folding Pocket Magnifier: Widget Supply

Henrik
(no affiliation)

 

[Fab]

Ahhh ok, I see the pocket Magnifier you're all talking about. Ok,..I've jotted it down in my note book. I'll look out for these! Almost like a monocle!

RoatanMan: When you talk of this symbiotic Crustacean,...is this the little bugger you're talking of,..the one that almost took my finger off? I didn't even see him in there (wasn't paying attention, serves me right for having my fingers in there) until it was too late. Check it out here:

Our Scuba Diving Adventures: Curacao - Video

 

[Ed L.]

And if you get real lucky Doc just might be there one time when you are at CCV.

The other thing to do while sitting around at meals is to listen to the stories and or lessons being told.

 

[Doc]

RoatanMan: When you talk of this symbiotic Crustacean,...is this the little bugger you're talking of,..the one that almost took my finger off? I didn't even see him in there (wasn't paying attention, serves me right for having my fingers in there) until it was too late. Check it out here: Our Scuba Diving Adventures: Curacao - Video

Yes, it's this guy.

You heard the little "snap"?

STAY WAY AWAY FROM THIS GUY:

You'll see his less colorful cousin in the Caribbean.

He is the Mantis Shrimp, aka Thumbsplitter. There is no "almost" with him. A much better overall view: YouTube - Mantis Shrimp Creature Feature

 

[Bay Island Diver]

Great Photo's these are critters to look for in the naturalist dives!

 

[halocline]

Mantis shrimps are amazing critters; occasionally they end up in aquariums as "hitchhikers" on pieces of live rock from the caribbean. You know you have one in your aquarium when all your fish and any crustaceans/mollusks disappear over time, I mean really disappear. They have been known to smash aquarium walls, presumably by accident.

Great photos!

 

[DeputyDan]

Last time I was at COCO View there was a Mantis Shrimp burrow right at the front year dive dock!

 

[Doc]

Last time I was at COCO View there was a Mantis Shrimp burrow right at the front yard dive dock!

And that would have been me, all big dumb and ignorant... trying to coax it out with my fingers. :doh:



Another one of life's little lessons.