On a recent snorkel trip we discovered a sheltered bay with pristine, placid water; ideal conditions for snorkeling.
(Once again, remember to click on the pic to see it larger)
We had many first's during this snorkel, the most outstanding being the almost immediate discovery by Tracy of this huge ball of fish called a bait ball. It's made up of 100's, perhaps 1,000's of Bigeye Scad. It attracts hungry predators, naturally. In the shallow waters of the bay the most prominent bigger fish and predator is the Bluefin Trevally. We discovered that both of these fishes are members of the Jack family so, we realized they
EAT THEIR OWN!!!!
EAT THEIR OWN!!!!
Bluefin Trevally moving in for lunch
Lunch (Bigeye Scad)
The Bluefin swim right into the center of the ball scattering it. As the ball separates the Scad swirl back around the Bluefin in an effort to get back together in the ball.
Closeup of the Scad
Closeup of the Bluefin Trevally. The one front and center was about 3 feet long. Totally harmless to us and surprisingly tame. They are just about the only larger sized fish that come into shallow water to feed on coral and the fish it attracts. For this reason they are a prize catch for shore fisherpersons. These and their big relatives, the Giant Trevally range up to over 200 pounds and the locals that can catch them are considered heroes and statewide treasures. The Hawaiian name for these is Ulua (pronounced Ooo-loo'-ah)
Here is an Ace-Eye Hawkfish settled into the coral perching like a hawk would perch in a tree - just watching and waiting for prey.
A kind of Pufferfish. So far we are unable to find it's name. NO, WAIT! It's a
Stripebelly Puffer. Whew.
Reef Lizardfish
Blackside Hawkfish
Day Octopus - most octopuses are nocturnal
Parrotfish
Cornetfish and Cowrie
The Cowrie is actually a sea snail . The shell itself is often spelled Cowry. The term "porcelain" derives from the old Italian term for the cowrie shell (porcellana) due to their similar translucent appearance.
The one pictured here was feeling threatened so all you see is the shell. When not threatened the shell sort of opens up and you see more of the fleshy snail/slug parts.
