Undersea nasties

[TMHeimer]

I often keep empty shells and have shelves full of them. Sometimes I'm wrong and there is a Hermit Crab inhabitant that I couldn't see. I throw all of those back.

As Mr. Nit-Picky, I can almost assure you there have been some hermits in there that you haven't seen. We moved last year and in re-setting up my collection I have come across a couple of shells where a claw or two were now showing. No smell, of course, as these could have been collected decades ago. I have seen this on other occasions but the smell alerted me.
You have to beware as well of those who say collecting empty shells is taking something out of nature--in that hermit crabs depend on empty shells for homes once they outgrow their present home.

 

[TMHeimer]

So I was only stating what I’d do. I don’t want to voice an opinion on your activities

See next post.

 

[TMHeimer]

I don’t think I could take a live one: I would feel bad from killing the critter just to keep his shell

PS: I didn’t voice an opinion about taking empty shells

You are correct in you just stated what you do, and how you'd feel. My mistake for thinking that was an opinion on me. Since you quoted my post on the hobby (which you asked out of curiosity), I wrongly figured you were commenting on it.
I really try not to stir this old pot when it's all been said on shell collecting. You can see I have trouble in that area--with my recent post #41 to scubadada above.

 

[BlueTrin]

You are correct in you just stated what you do, and how you'd feel. My mistake for thinking that was an opinion on me. Since you quoted my post on the hobby (which you asked out of curiosity), I wrongly figured you were commenting on it.
I really try not to stir this old pot when it's all been said on shell collecting. You can see I have trouble in that area--with my recent post #41 to scubadada above.

Yea I saw the previous posts, so I thought I would cause anymore stirring on something that has been already debated apparently

Also I find you are one of the helpful guys around here

 

[scubadada]

As Mr. Nit-Picky, I can almost assure you there have been some hermits in there that you haven't seen. We moved last year and in re-setting up my collection I have come across a couple of shells where a claw or two were now showing. No smell, of course, as these could have been collected decades ago. I have seen this on other occasions but the smell alerted me.
You have to beware as well of those who say collecting empty shells is taking something out of nature--in that hermit crabs depend on empty shells for homes once they outgrow their present home.

Not surprising that you took it personally and felt compelled to respond. I quoted no posts and stated what I do when collecting shells. I simply do my best not take any live animals

Good diving, Craig

 

[TMHeimer]

Yea I saw the previous posts, so I thought I would cause anymore stirring on something that has been already debated apparently

Also I find you are one of the helpful guys around here

Thanks. I enjoy your posts as well.
scubadada-- Same.
Now, back to my nasties question-- Anyone think about what to do in waters with that deadly Iricongi (Australia, etc.)?

 

[happy-diver]

Mate I don't know which congi it is, but when I'm haulin down the anchor line in a current
it's the one that runs it's tentacle for what seems like metres and metres along my upper
lip between the mask and the reg that gets me tingly

but one day I was swimming and poked one out of the way then proceeded to rub the gloop
on my fingertip off, on sand and grass and a tree, touched my forehead and had a headache
for an hour

 

[60plus]

I have only done about 30 sea dives but so far but:
1) Have nearly been bitten by a moray eel
2) Been in close proximity to large conger eels that are known to bite
3) Been in close proximity to trigger fish where a diver was bitten a few weeks later
4) been close to a cone snail
5) been close to barracuda
6) been close to a star gazer
7) nearly put my hand on a lionfish
8) nearly touched stinging seaweed - actually I think it is animals on the weed that stings.

With the exception of 2 and 3 there was no pre dive warning.
4, 5 & 8 been signalled away from during dive.

I think a bit more advice could be given during training and at the dive centres.

 

[gcarter]

I have only done about 30 sea dives but so far but:
1) Have nearly been bitten by a moray eel
2) Been in close proximity to large conger eels that are known to bite
3) Been in close proximity to trigger fish where a diver was bitten a few weeks later
4) been close to a cone snail
5) been close to barracuda
6) been close to a star gazer
7) nearly put my hand on a lionfish
8) nearly touched stinging seaweed - actually I think it is animals on the weed that stings.

With the exception of 2 and 3 there was no pre dive warning.
4, 5 & 8 been signalled away from during dive.

I think a bit more advice could be given during training and at the dive centres.

The advice IS given during training. Look, don't touch. Don't disturb the wildlife.

 

[TMHeimer]

Mate I don't know which congi it is, but when I'm haulin down the anchor line in a current
it's the one that runs it's tentacle for what seems like metres and metres along my upper
lip between the mask and the reg that gets me tingly

but one day I was swimming and poked one out of the way then proceeded to rub the gloop
on my fingertip off, on sand and grass and a tree, touched my forehead and had a headache
for an hour

I saw a show on Iricongi years ago. They are very tiny, almost can't see them. Some place(s?) put up netting to protect swimmer beaches. Only in the S. Pacific, I think. Can be fatal, so I recall. Related to the Box Jellyfish but even more dangerous.