Went out on Pura Vida's Aurelia yesterday afternoon for the purpose of helping those on the trip do REEF fish surveys. Chris was the captain, Ian and Quinn were the divemasters. Andrea from Pura Vida was there as well to help with REEF surveys. All eight divers aboard did REEF surveys on both dives, we even managed to get Quinn to do a survey on the dive she guided. First dive was Bath and Tennis. Second dive was on Ron's Rock.
Most of the divers aboard were new to doing surveys. Without a classroom session before hand it is somewhat difficult to have divers concentrate on more than a couple of species of fish. I pointed out to everybody diving that two species, Bicolor Damsels and Bluehead Wrasse are present in the thousands on every reef at the depths we were diving. Bicolor Damsels stay close to the reef never coming into the water column. Bluehead Wrasse usually swim 3-10ft above the reef.
After the first dive everybody agreed, those species are everywhere, but somehow not noticeable until one takes the time to look. The most notable species was observed on Ron's Rock, a Black Brotula at the mouth of a small crevice in the reef. Black Brotula are one of those semi-common but rarely observed species. They usually hide way back in the shadows and around the corners of ledges making them difficult to see. For whatever reason the specimen from yesterday has been staying near the front of the crevice where it is very easy to observe, especially with a flashlight or video light.
Pura Vida has Andrea and I scheduled on July 27th afternoon trip to help with another round of REEF Fish Surveys.
Below are video of the Black Brotula and Rosy Razorfish.
Edit: Black Brotula video was scheduled for wrong day, now open. Sea temp 83f, slight north current, perfect for Fish Surveys.
Most of the divers aboard were new to doing surveys. Without a classroom session before hand it is somewhat difficult to have divers concentrate on more than a couple of species of fish. I pointed out to everybody diving that two species, Bicolor Damsels and Bluehead Wrasse are present in the thousands on every reef at the depths we were diving. Bicolor Damsels stay close to the reef never coming into the water column. Bluehead Wrasse usually swim 3-10ft above the reef.
After the first dive everybody agreed, those species are everywhere, but somehow not noticeable until one takes the time to look. The most notable species was observed on Ron's Rock, a Black Brotula at the mouth of a small crevice in the reef. Black Brotula are one of those semi-common but rarely observed species. They usually hide way back in the shadows and around the corners of ledges making them difficult to see. For whatever reason the specimen from yesterday has been staying near the front of the crevice where it is very easy to observe, especially with a flashlight or video light.
Pura Vida has Andrea and I scheduled on July 27th afternoon trip to help with another round of REEF Fish Surveys.
Below are video of the Black Brotula and Rosy Razorfish.
Edit: Black Brotula video was scheduled for wrong day, now open. Sea temp 83f, slight north current, perfect for Fish Surveys.
