Maui Snorkeling Trips

Photo Courtesy Y. Hooker/fishbase.org

EEWWW!  Is it real?  That was the first question I received when showing this picture.  This animal has been saved for the very last in our Halloween Week Of Weird postings.  

There is very little information available on this member of the anglerfish family.  Researchers know this fish may travel from 613 – 1000 meters (2011 – 3280 feet).  Anglerfishes are predators, eating most anything they can entice to come close enough using the attached lure on top of their heads.  We could not find any information on what maximum size is for this specie.  Deep sea fishermen have found this fish around waters of Oahu.

Snorkeling in Hawaii is an amazing thing to do and a must when in the island chain.  Although none of these deep water species mentioned (except for Megamouth) are found in shallow waters, we will share many one can look for in future postings.  Come have adventures with us! 

Photo Courtesy pbs.com/Tom Haight

Megamouth is our feature today keeping with our countdown for Halloween.  What a face!  This shark is known in many oceans, although not much is known about the animal.  This shark has been found in the Pacific Ocean, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, Hawaii, and California, USA.  They have been found also in waters off Brazil, Atlantic Ocean and Senegal.

Fortunately for the Megamouth they are not hunted much for food and are really of no interest to any country (so far).  This slow moving fish has a strange bright white band on the snout just above the upper jaw, which researchers feel may play a very important role in attracting plankton, euphausiid shrimps, jellyfish and they may consume small mid water fish, but this band may also play an important role in recognition of individuals.  COOL!  These sharks are known to go to 1,000 meters (3,280 feet), but have also been seen in only 5 meters (16.4 feet)!  Unlike many other types of sharks, the Megamouth’s eyes have no nictitating membrane.  They are live bearers with the babies feeding on a yolk sac before emerging, but we could not find any information on how long incubation is.  This specie of shark sure looks prehistoric! They are preyed upon by the parasidic cookie cutter shark, which is known to prey on all kinds of fish and even marine mammals.   In future postings we will discuss the cookie cutter shark further.  We have not been able to find any divers or snorkelers who have seen this elusive predator to Megamouth and others.

If you want to watch a video of Megamouth in shallow water, please click on this link, sit back, and enjoy!  It appears the gentle shark is a little curious of the photographer.  Very interesting, indeed!

Happy viewing and Happy Halloween everyone!

Photo Courtesy Gloerfelt-Tarp/fishbase.org

What the heck is that?  That was the first reaction this author had when seeing this picture.  Next question that came to mind was “where is the mouth?”

Researchers named this unusual fish the Coffinfish.  It is in the Seatoad Family and the Order of Anglerfish.  What a cutely bizarre fish and a highly unusual name!  Researchers tell us they grow to about 14 centimeters (5.5 inches) in length.  There is no information on what they eat, but one very interesting piece of information is they are seen around the new island forming underwater SE of the Big Island of Hawaii.  The little seamount, courtesy of Madam Pele, the fire-goddess of creation, is called Loihi.  Volcanologists predict this active volcano will break through the surface of the ocean in about 1,000 years, give or take a few hundred, in the very warm water and in depths of 500 meters (1640 feet) to a whopping 1985 meters (6512 feet)!   The Coffinfish is known to be in deep waters of Indo-West Pacific:  Japan to Kyushu-Palau Ridge, Australia and Indonesia; Chesterfield Islands.  What a perfect name for a little fish with Frankenstein stitching decorations!  

Snorkeling in Hawaii is full of amazement, even if we do not get to see deep water species.  There are anglerfish in shallower waters we can look for and we will discuss these in future postings.  Keep checking back and Happy Halloween!

Photo Courtesy Costa/Patzner/fishbase.org

This week we’re talking ghouls and goblins of the deep and the Viperfish (Sloan’s) of the Dragonfish Family is a perfect subject.  Look at those teeth!  Their bodies are iridescent silver.

According to Dr. Randall, this species is seen in depths greater than 15,000 feet!  They are in warm and temperate parts of all oceans, but there are distributional gaps such as Southern Central Atlantic, Northern Indian and Eastern Pacific Oceans.  

So what do these ghoulish fish eat, and where?  Researchers believe they may migrate to the near-surface at night and travel back to the depths before morning.  Their favorite meals consist of mid-water fish and crustaceans.

How big do they get?  According to the experts they grow to nearly 14 inches.  I suppose you would have to be a night snorkeler or diver to try and catch a glimpse of this interesting fish.  Yikes!

How very fitting that this fish, with the face that only a mother viperfish would love, prefers the dark and deep oceans of the world.  Until next time!

Photo Courtesy NOAA/udaythombreblogspot

Holy *&#! what is that?  First reactions are always the best!  When the mouth picture was shown to family members that was the reaction I received from each individual.

The hagfish, Family Myxinidae, are undoubtedly in the top 10 of creepiest fish in the ocean.  The species eptatretus carlhubbsi is found from the French Frigate Shoals and Moloka’i.  This particular species is the largest known hagfish growing to 116 centimeters (nearly 46 inches)!

These fish come from a very primitive lineage, which can be traced back millions of years.  Scientists have long said this fish is one of the most disgusting of all fish species.  Not only do they eat dead and rotting carcasses at the bottom of the ocean, they have also been known to sneak up on sleeping fish and devour them.  When disturbed or threatened they can produce tremendous amounts of fibrous slime, which quickly thickens.  To free themselves of their slimy mess, they twist their bodies into a knot and clean off the slime from tip to tail, quickly swimming away ready for the next meal.  Researchers tell us that when these ugly critters are at rest they can be seen lying on, or partially hidden in sandy or silty sea floors.

So, just how far down will these fish travel?  Researchers say from 1578 to 5164 feet down!

Although we’ll keep searching to see what we can find, so far the hagfish is number one in our Halloween countdown of creepy and weird marine life of Hawaii, where folks come from all over the world to snorkel and enjoy marine life in the Pacific.  We hope to see you soon!

Photo Courtesy K.T.Shao/fishbase.org

Red Velvet Whalefish is the name given to this really bizarre fish whose skin is velvety to the touch say the researchers.  This fish exists in the worlds tropical oceans.  The lower jaw extends beyond the upper one, and the eyes are unusually large.  The researchers also noted the teeth in both jaws are in broad villiform bands, i.e. rows of small villi (minute projections that rise from a mucous membrane).  So, unlike some deep water species that have fangs, or other sharp teeth, this unusual fish doesn’t really have teeth at all!

They grow to about 39 centimeters(15 inches) and probably eat crustaceans.  What is really interesting is the depth they can survive in, which according to researchers is a whopping 6,500 feet plus!  Although the Velvet Whalefish is not really ghoulish looking, it is a most unusual fish, and even though the average snorkeler and diver will not get to experience seeing this fish, we will just happily add it to our list of special marine animals used to kick off Halloween 2008!  Happy snorkeling!!  

Photo Courtesy R. Patzner, fishbase.org

With Halloween fast approaching today’s posting is on a most unusual fish, the half-naked hatchetfish.  In keeping with the theme of weirdness, this creepy little fish comes from the depths around the Hawaiian Islands, but the species is also seen elsewhere in the world.  According to Dr. Randall these fish are in all oceans of the world in the subtropics and tropic seas.  He also notes that the adults make marked vertical migrations, that is, rise from the depths and travel quite deep.  The hatchetfish feed primarily on copepods and small fish.  These fish are also sexually dimorphic, that is, females are slightly larger than the males.

The average snorkeler and diver probably will not get even a glimpse of this highly unusual half-naked hatchetfish who enjoy depths of 150 to 2400 meters (492 – 7874 feet)!   But isn’t it fun to know these wonderfully bizarre fish exist out there?  Bookmark, or subscribe to this blog site and check back for more postings this week on the weird, and wonderfully unusual marine life around the Hawaiian Islands.  Happy Halloween!

Photo Courtesy P. Asman, fishbase.org

The ancient Hawaiians called this fish kîkâkapu (kapu means forbidden).  In those times this fish was considered sacred and is mentioned in many chants.  No one was allowed to catch, eat, or have anything to do with this cute and special butterflyfish.

They are usually in pairs, says Dr. Randall, and they may mate for life.  Their beautiful yellow and black color patterns are quite vivid.  The largest they are known to grow to is about 7.8 inches.  They feed on hard and soft corals, but also eat worms, crustaceans, and algae.  The juveniles are identical to the adults.  The butterfly family is important to the aquarium and collector’s industries making them very vulnerable to being decimated from our oceans.  Most naturalists and biologists feel these and others should be protected from aquarium trade.

Will the average snorkeler and diver be able to find these adorable animals?  Absolutely!  Sometimes they are seen in huge schools while providing an excellent splash of color on the reefs.   Most butterflyfish can be found in quite shallow areas and as deep as 197 feet, according to Dr. Randall.  One of the great things about seeing these cute fish that I love is they will have you smiling!

Photo Courtesy Dr. Jack Randall

Oh, my, isn’t this the cutest fish ever?  Growing to a mere 2.8 inches at the most, the little blenny is adorable!  There are over 300 species of these small and agile bottom-dwelling fishes.

The ancient Hawaiians called them pâo’o, and were fully aware of their ability to skip from rock to rock, and were discussed extensively in some legends.  They also were considered ‘aumâkua, or family god, by some.

Dr. Randall says there is one subspecies from Hawaii and Samoa to Nicobar Islands, and another from Australia.  They are also observed in brackish water and very shallow tidepools.  It is known by experts that these little ones do not have scales and many have cirri, or small tentacles, on their heads.  Most researchers call blennies rockskippers.  These fish like to take refuge by backing into holes in the reef.  The fangblennies (Plagiotremus) are known to make a quick attack on other fishes to remove skin tissue and mucus, which they do with small incisiform teeth.  Fangblennies have also been known to attack divers, but since they are so small they cannot cause any damage.  Two species have a pair of curved, enormous canine teeth, which are located at the front of their lower jaw.  Researchers tell us that not too many other types of fish eat blennies and they are still quite plentiful.  It is always nice to know of any species doing very well.

When they reproduce, they lay demersal eggs and the male is the one who guards.  How much cuteness can we stand?  Will the snorkeler in Hawaii see a blenny?  The chances are really good that an observant snorkeler, or diver, will see and maybe even photograph this cute, under 3 inch fish.  Bring your camera, and let’s go.  I’m ready when you are! 

Photo Courtesy, Dr. Jack Randall/unknown

Dr. Randall says he has not yet seen a giant grouper (Ephinephelus lanceolatus) in Hawaiian waters and determines them to be extremely rare.  The many conversations this author has had with local fishermen amounts to about the same information.  The giant grouper, or Lance, as they are lovingly known by naturalists and scientists, have been hunted and fished to greatly reduced numbers.

These fish commence life as females, later changing to males as is necessary, and they are predators.  Not a very fast animal, but a stealthy one who stalks and can take in a fish nearly as large as themselves.  They also have a taste for crustaceans.  Researchers tell us they can grow to a whopping 8 feet plus, and may weigh more than two hundred pounds.  Sexual maturity for the giant grouper is at 3.5 feet in length, which means these fish are usually caught before they have a chance to reproduce.  They are listed as an endangered species on the national IUCN Red List (http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/7858) 

Would the average snorkeler or diver see a giant grouper?  Probably not, but there is always the possibility of seeing something that amazes.  What are you waiting for?  Grab a towel, camera, and high expectations.  Let’s go snorkel!