Hawaiian Seahorse

[DiveMaven]

Look what we saw today diving Maui!!

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

Hopefully all further responses will follow your example and not let the fish collectors know any hint about location.

Nice to see that color and size; kind of means to me that last year's big black male was successful in his incubation!

 

[Sortsol]

I saw a purpleish one last month on Oahu... I've yet to talk to anyone that has also seen one here so I feel pretty lucky! Vis was crap though and I was in some surge that made it hard to stay still (and the Seahorse wasn't exactly still either) so it's not the best shot in the world.

 

[CaptFlyingDutchman]

I have only seen 2, both on the windward side of Oahu. Super camouflage in the limu

 

[oahu_diver]

I guess there's one clue for collectors.

 

[DiveMaven]

Nice find!

 

[bigblue_hi]

You can see them on North Shore (I know where, just not saying here). They are not rare per se, just difficult to find due to their excellent camouflage.

 

[Sortsol]

Very cool, I'll keep my eyes open!

 

[rgbmatt]

Hopefully all further responses will follow your example and not let the fish collectors know any hint about location.

In this case, this isn't something to worry about, for a few reasons:

- Maui doesn't have any active fish collectors at the moment, so the yellow seahorse is safe.

- Although seahorses are neat, they're not worth very much. So, there's not much incentive for people to go hunting for them, especially since they're so well camouflaged and hard to spot. Most of the ones found at the pet store are the pelagic seahorse (H. fisheri) - these are a byproduct of the akule fishery and are never seen by divers due to their habitat.

- Usually, professional fish collectors already know where to find the fish we need in areas that aren't frequented by other divers & snorkelers, so we're not about to go searching the internet looking for places to find fish. Taking fish from somebody else's dive spot is inconsiderate and unnecessary - it's a big ocean and there's no need to step on anybody's toes.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

rgbmatt, I should have typed "Maui salt water aquarium owners" instead of "fish collectors."

I have read (and learned from) many of your posts and do not feel "professional fish collectors" like you are a problem; wish all were like you.

I have known a few aquarium boobs, and they are not as "educated" as you.