Cheap Pulau Hantu Dives

[dive_lover88]

Hey DDavid, I'm planning a trip up in june...do you have any idea if that is the triggerfish mating period? Thanks
Darren

 

[ddavid]

hey divelover, i think the triggerfish mating season has started already.. end of march i was in dayang & got attacked by a titan trigger over at raynor's rock.. the fella too much lah; came out from my right side acting like he was just passing by me, then suddenly turned towards me & came charging.. had to do quick "evasion" fin kicks.. hahaha..
I'm not sure how many months their mating season lasts, but i have heard of trigger incidents in june/july previous years.. anyway dont bother with them mate, just go enjoy ur dives.. it should be fine.., they're part & parcel of the joy of Msian island dives

 

[dive_lover88]

Those buggers are smart...they charge without warning,their nest are not really visible and their territory is also not really defined...However,most of the stories i heard revolve around these buggers

 

[Quero]

Those buggers are smart...they charge without warning,their nest are not really visible and their territory is also not really defined...However,most of the stories i heard revolve around these buggers

Thanks, divelover and others for explaining "open season."

Maybe I can return the favor by pointing out that the titan triggerfish's territory is a vertical V shape (or inverted cone) and extends to/near the surface of the water. the bottom of the V is where the nest is found, *always* in a flat sandy area. During titan triggerfish nesting season, keep a constant lookout for these fish snout down "blowing" the sand away from a small patch. They are aerating the eggs to ensure a good oxygen supply. If you see a titan triggerfish in this position, turn away and swim horizontally out of the V-shaped territory. Do not swim upwards; this will only bring you further into the territory. If a titan charges, try to repel it with your fins; swim away, always keeping your fins between you and the fish.

 

[dive_lover88]

Thanks for infomation,Quero
Cheers
Darren

 

[Oldman]

Hi,

I know a dive operator, Dolphin Dive who specialise in local Hantu diving. There rates are one of the lowest at $60 for 2 tank dives. Repeated divers enjoy free equipment rental as well. Look up their website for more info: www.dolphinscuba.com.sg

Cheers

 

[ddavid]

yup divelover, the titan triggers are the ones to look out for during these few months,.. Quero's points are spot on; their "turf" extends upwards in an inverted cone.. however the most recent one i experienced came at me from the rocky base of Rayner's.. maybe there was a sandy patch there out of my line of sight perhaps.. well wherever the egg was, it sure was a sly fella; he faked like he was just passing me on my right then suddenly turned & charged..
Oldman: yeah Dolphin dive is another option to check out for decently priced Hantu dives.. they've been around a long time

 

[Smokegrey]

Quero, tried that. Ever have 2 triggerfish gang up on you? Happened to me one time up on a Perhentian/Redang trip. My boyfriend and I were happily finning along, and I felt a tug on my fin. Turned to look back, and it was a triggerfish coming round for another go. So I flipped on my back and finned backward. For some reason, I looked behind me then, and saw another one coming for me. Those 2 triggerfish kept me spinning round and round, fending them off, for what felt like a couple of minutes (but was probably less). I was trying to fin out of their territorial cone, but it was kinda hard since they kept circling round behind me. Eventually what drove them off was my boyfriend coming to my rescue and punching one of them. (He still feels guilty about it, but there seemed to be no other choice.)

 

[Traminer]

Triggerfish galore at Redang... its like bad tourists, there's one in every corner and nasty too.

Met some off Phuket last month, the ones in Thailand don't seem to bite tho. Is it something to do with the water? Or just the influence of polite Thai culture?

 

[Quero]

Met some off Phuket last month, the ones in Thailand don't seem to bite tho. Is it something to do with the water? Or just the influence of polite Thai culture?

Oh, they bite; yes they do! Just prolly wasn't nesting season.

On the other hand,

Those 2 triggerfish kept me spinning round and round, fending them off, for what felt like a couple of minutes (but was probably less). I was trying to fin out of their territorial cone, but it was kinda hard since they kept circling round behind me.

it doesn't make sense for two of them to nest in the same territory (they'd chase *each other* away). Sometimes the mean titans in Thailand (at least) attack for no good reason at all! I guess there must be "fish bullies" just like there are among people. LOL

Ever notice how most anemonefish (damselfish in general) are also protective of their territory? Mostly they just stay right on top of their anemone. But last month in Manado, I had one repeatedly swim right into my mask when I was a couple of meters above the anemone in question. Brave little dudes, those anemonefish, but this one was an insane mini-bully.