I was diving Maui last week (back wall of molikini) and had an interesting encounter. After entering the water I looked down and saw 3 spotted puffer fish about 50' below, these 3 puffer immediatedly started up to me - Unusual thing #1. As they approached I noticed one was attached to the other off to the side of the anal opening. Turns out it was firmly attached. The one attached was about the same size of the others, all fully adults. They continued to approach and swam around me roughly 12-18" away. It became apparent that one was biting the other, with the third (a mate?) just swimming along with the pair).
Intially I thought that the one fish was trying to use me to scare the attached one off. I tried various movements etc without success. I removed my gloves and tried gently grasping the attached one thinking it might open its mouth and let go, but that did not work either, the attacker (?) just shook its body. I spent several minutes trying to separate them, but did not want to pull as that parrot beak of theirs would tear the victim. This all took place at a depth of about 10'. After about 5 minutes they departed and headed deep with the puffer still firmly attached.
Has anyone seen something like this? Any theories as to what was going on?
Intially I thought that the one fish was trying to use me to scare the attached one off. I tried various movements etc without success. I removed my gloves and tried gently grasping the attached one thinking it might open its mouth and let go, but that did not work either, the attacker (?) just shook its body. I spent several minutes trying to separate them, but did not want to pull as that parrot beak of theirs would tear the victim. This all took place at a depth of about 10'. After about 5 minutes they departed and headed deep with the puffer still firmly attached.
Has anyone seen something like this? Any theories as to what was going on?
