"symbiotic" behavior exhibited between (a) jacks and spotted morays, or (b) groupers and goldentail morays? Any shared observations and/or insight would be appreciated.
Has anyone here witnessed...
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Not uncommon at all. The best place I've found to find and watch hunting groups of several species is in amongst the coral patches in the shallows right in front of Buddy Dive/Lion's Dive on Bonaire. The last group I watched had a Jack, a Trumpetfish, a Yellow Snapper and a Hind (and it seems I remember a goatfish in the group too) following a Spotted Moray from coral patch to coral patch. Absolutely fascinating to watch - and as they were hunting in only about ten feet of water, I could just snorkel on the surface and watch the show.
Snorkelling there for an hour will almost guarantee at least one communal hunting group to watch.
Rick
Snorkelling there for an hour will almost guarantee at least one communal hunting group to watch.
Rick
Seemed to have missed that in my trip....must go back soon to watch!
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I've also seen jacks hanging out close to rays, particularly the big southern stingrays. My guess is that they eat the little critters that get stirred up from the bottom when the rays move.
Tom
Tom
Stone
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The Southern Rays are not particularly plentiful up here in the northern Gulf, but when we see them, they have a Cobia escort.
lobsterguy
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I HAVE seen big jacks try to EAT spotted moray's, but no real symbiotic behavior. It's rare to see a goldentail moray venture out of it's hole.
I usually see spotted morays & small groupers in Bonaire displaying this type of behaviour. Also I have seen trumpet fish & hogfish or small groupers doing the same thing.
~SubMariner~
scorpionfish
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Hi, Gang!
One of the most common examples of the kind of symbiosis that you are discussing happens with goatfish and bird wrasses.
Goatfish have these clever little barbels that allow them to detect prey buried in the sand. Once the goatfish detects a treat, it digs in the sand, but sometimes misses the mark. If a wrasse is following along, it will frequently be the beneficiary of the "miss".
Conversely, the bird wrasse has its long beak-like mouth that allows it to explore crevices and holes. When it misses its prey, the following goatfish is there to scoop it up.
In the Hawaiin Is. I have frequently seen such pairs and watched them long enough to see them change positions. Thus, part of the time the wrasse leads and part of the time the goatfish leads. It is a kick to see.
Scorpionfish
One of the most common examples of the kind of symbiosis that you are discussing happens with goatfish and bird wrasses.
Goatfish have these clever little barbels that allow them to detect prey buried in the sand. Once the goatfish detects a treat, it digs in the sand, but sometimes misses the mark. If a wrasse is following along, it will frequently be the beneficiary of the "miss".
Conversely, the bird wrasse has its long beak-like mouth that allows it to explore crevices and holes. When it misses its prey, the following goatfish is there to scoop it up.
In the Hawaiin Is. I have frequently seen such pairs and watched them long enough to see them change positions. Thus, part of the time the wrasse leads and part of the time the goatfish leads. It is a kick to see.
Scorpionfish
With Spotted Goatfish and Yellowhead Wrasse, Slippery Dicks and some of the other wrasses. The wrasse also love it when you turn over the rubble on the bottom, you've made a friend! I never thought much about doing it until one dashed in and ate a baby Brittle Star about 1/4" across. I felt like an accessory to murder!
As a good fish story should... this one is growing.
Just got a call from Navy Davy telling me it was a 25' GW
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