Finding cleaning stations

[u4ia]

Hi there

Carribbean newbie here and heading back to Bonaire soon for a second trip. The first time I was just overwhelmed with the colors and all the "pond life" but this trip would like to concentrate more on reef activity. I have heard and read here and there about for example cleaning stations - I think I know what these are... but wouldn't object to someone explaining more about them and more importantly how do I find them?? Are there particular dive sites that have known stations that I could find easily, etc?

thanks for the help!

 

[reefdiva]

u4ia ... over the years that I have visited Bonaire I have learned that if I really slow down and don't try to cover lots of distance I see so much more reef life. My husband and I have seen amazing grouper cleaning stations at about 45 feet at The Lake but I must admit that the only way I know how to find one is to come upon it when a grouper is being cleaned! Watch for a grouper that is "hanging" just under a bit of coral and chances are it is being cleaned. Hang and watch for little cleaners to scurry over its body and in and out of its mouth ... which will open very wide. Last summer I spent lots of time watching creole wrasse being cleaned at many different dive sites. Look for three or four of them circling an area and one who is pretty stationary. Then watch the one who is stationary open and close his mouth (looks like a pucker for a kiss) for the cleaners (gobies) to move in and out. When they are finished with one creole wrasse it will swim away and another will move in. Another favorite reef life activity of mine is to spend time in the rubble at Eden Beach, Front Porch or Torie's and watch for Sailfin Blennies, Yellow Headed Jawfish, Lantern Bass and even hunt for Pipefish. These are all so easy to miss if you are in a hurry! At Cliff there is a great spot just before you exit to look for all kinds of juvenile fish. Same is true at Torie's. Hope this helps!

 

[Tennessee Slim]

Cleaning station - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

They're everywhere. I'd never noticed one until I first did so by accident. Now I see them in droves on every dive. Once you realize what they look like, you won't believe how many you were overlooking.

 

[Charlie99]

Sometimes you see the cleaner wrasse or goby doing its dance.

Other times what you spot at a distance is a larger fish motionless, gills and fins spread, and maybe even tilted over to one side.

The underwater topography can give you a pretty good hint as to where to look, but it's hard to express. Cleaning stations are more likely to be found on distinctive corners and peaks of the reef.

Cleaning stations tend to be relatively permanent -- longer than the lifespan of any particular cleaner.

Often, with a slow approach one can move right up onto a cleaning station without spooking anybody, and after a few seconds they continue as if you weren't there. If you are really good at motionless buoyancy control you can get a manicure or dental cleaning.

Charlie Allen

 

[BTravlin]

I was in Cozumel Xmas week and ran into a Grouper being cleaned on Paradise Reef. I was floating along looking down at the reef when I looked up and saw a large Grouper just ahead with its mouth wide open and the cleaners busily at work inside. This fish was about 2 1/2' long and he just stayed right there being cleaned while I was right in front of him looking down his throat like a dentist. Made my dive.

 

[scubadobadoo]

Spotting things on the reef is all about knowing how fish, creatures, and coral do basic things like eat and reproduce. These few basic activities dictate everything on a reef. After all, no emailing or TV on the reef unless ya wanna count "broadcast" spawning.

I suggest you buy, if you don't already own it, the Humann/DeLoach Behavior book. It covers cleaning stations and most every type of behavior found on the reef. That book has changed the way I look at a dive. Instead of simply seeing a fish tank with pretty stuff in it, I now see life cycles if that makes any sense. Kinda like finally being able to see the Matrix if you want a nerdy tech analogy.

I'll be back in Bonaire for our third trip next month in February and I can't wait. Shore diving is my favorite. It allows the chance to just float in front of one coral head or small area for more than an hour without a boat to have to return to. After and hour of doing this, just floating in one small spot, things just start to appear that you never noticed or can't see until you aren't considered a threat. All the small stuff, and I mean really small stuff, all starts to make sense. Try it sometime if you haven't yet and bring a magnifying glass too. Just wear a wet suit cuz not moving will chill you quickly.

 

[pa diver]

Spotting things on the reef is all about knowing how fish, creatures, and coral do basic things like eat and reproduce. These few basic activities dictate everything on a reef. After all, no emailing or TV on the reef unless ya wanna count "broadcast" spawning.

I suggest you buy, if you don't already own it, the Humann/DeLoach Behavior book. It covers cleaning stations and most every type of behavior found on the reef. That book has changed the way I look at a dive. Instead of simply seeing a fish tank with pretty stuff in it, I now see life cycles if that makes any sense. Kinda like finally being able to see the Matrix if you want a nerdy tech analogy.

I'll be back in Bonaire for our third trip next month in February and I can't wait. Shore diving is my favorite. It allows the chance to just float in front of one coral head or small area for more than an hour without a boat to have to return to. After and hour of doing this, just floating in one small spot, things just start to appear that you never noticed or can't see until you aren't considered a threat. All the small stuff, and I mean really small stuff, all starts to make sense. Try it sometime if you haven't yet and bring a magnifying glass too. Just wear a wet suit cuz not moving will chill you quickly.

Figured you must have another trip coming up....................I'm reaaaaaalllllllllly jealous.

 

[scubadobadoo]

Figured you must have another trip coming up....................I'm reaaaaaalllllllllly jealous.

Hey pal! What's new with you guys? So we gonna meet this summer and do some camping and shore diving?

Sorry to rub the trip in.

 

[u4ia]

I agree the shore diving is what makes Bonaire so extra attractive -- its great to just go on your own schedule and not have to worry. I don't have any other carib diving experience, the majority seems to be boat diving dependent. not that there is anything wrong with that, but its great to be able to dive dive dive whenever I feel like it.

thanks for the cleaner station tips. I will plan to slow down and watch the reef-life go by on this trip. any particular times of day that are better than others for finding the stations, or it doesn't matter?

 

[reefdiva]

thanks for the cleaner station tips. I will plan to slow down and watch the reef-life go by on this trip. any particular times of day that are better than others for finding the stations, or it doesn't matter?

I have seen cleaning stations throughout the day but must say that my most memorable ones have been early in the morning (between 6:45 and 8:30am). I like to dive early morning or late afternoon and watch the "commute" of the creole wrasse -- sometimes there are hundreds of them streaming by.

Do you own Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy by Susan Porter? Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy, BSDME, Author Susan Porter It has some good tips on dive sites with lots of little crevices to explore by small flashlight.