RED REEF RESIDENTS: A RUFOUS ROUND-UP IN THE BAHAMAS

July 22, 2014 by Rolling Harbour

Squirrelfish (Elvis) ©Melinda Riger @ Grand Bahama Scuba copy

Elvis the Squirrelfish

RED REEF RESIDENTS: A RUFOUS ROUND-UP IN THE BAHAMAS

It’s sunny and very hot. Time to take another dive with Melinda to see what is going on under water around the reefs. Here are some residents, a somewhat loose description since some of the denizens featured are not especially active. But they are alive, so they qualify by my wide rules. And please may we not get into a discussion about where precisely red and orange overlap. It’s a grey area. And it’s too hot to argue about it… Let’s start with three types of GROUPER that may be spotted in the northern Bahamas. In fact, they are always spotted. One of my favourite pictures is the Graysby – it’s such a great expression, and he really rocks the spots!

GRAYSBY

TIGER GROUPER AT A CLEANING STATION with Peterson Cleaning Shrimps & a GobyRED HIND

BLACKBAR SOLDIERFISH

HOGFISH Hogfish ©Melinda Riger @ GB Scuba copy 2

SQUIRRELFISH

But red fish are not the only red reef residents. Here are some that won’t swim away from you as you swim towards them to admire them…

A FEATHER DUSTER ON A SPONGE

RED SPONGEUNDERWATER GARDEN GROWING IN A RED CONTAINER

ANOTHER VARIED REEF GARDEN

CORALS WITH (I have just noticed) A LURKING LIONFISH

CHRISTMAS TREE WORMS (see more of these amazing creatures HERE)

All photos: Melinda Riger @ Grand Bahama Scuba

UNDERWATER BAHAMAS: REEF GARDENS (2) – CORALS

August 24, 2013 by Rolling Harbour

UNDERWATER REEF GARDENS IN THE BAHAMAS (2): CORALS

This is part 2 of a series that started out HERE with a selection of anemones, basket stars and Christmas tree worms. The images below show a wide variety of corals. In among them are also sponges and anemones. These photos are evidence of a healthy reef environment in the waters of the northern Bahamas. Abaco’s coral reef is the third largest barrier reef in the world (yes, I hear you – the Great Barrier… And the second is???), providing wonderful and accessible diving / snorkelling opportunities. However, monitoring shows that the incidence of coral bleaching and disease is increasing in the Bahamas, as elsewhere in the world. It’s a sobering thought that your grandchildren may never swim in an environment with any of the living corals shown below…

Image Credits: ©Melinda Riger @ Grand Bahama Scuba

FORAYS WITH MORAYS (1): EEL APPEAL IN THE BAHAMAS

August 4, 2013 by Rolling Harbour

FORAYS WITH MORAYS (1): EEL APPEAL IN THE BAHAMAS

MORAY EELS are found in most oceans, with around 200 species worldwide. In Bahamian waters, the 3 most common are the green, yellow and spotted morays, all featured below. These ones have been given affectionate names by the divers who encounter them regularly in their home surroundings – Rico, Judy, Wasabi and Earl.

Morays have something of a reputation for aggression, though (like many creatures with teeth) they much prefer to swim away or hide rather than attack. They will defend themselves resolutely, however, so it might be a mistake the get too close.

Hand-feeding morays has become a popular dive activity. However there can be drawbacks. They have poor vision, and may find it difficult to distinguish between food, finger-food and fingers. There are many cases of divers who have lost a finger while hand-feeding moray eels; in some places it has been banned.

The moray eel has strong clamping jaws, and its sharp teeth point backwards

This has two effects. A finger will be held as if by a fish-hook barb; and the eel will not release the grip of its powerful jaws without them being prised apart.