Fish Geek's Pick-Of-The-Week! Flame Angel

Flame Angel by Scott Rettig

Flame Angel

Latin: Centropyge loricula

 A beautiful angelfish of bright red and orange with dark black bars or even zebra stripes, the Flame Angel is one of the more strikingly beautiful fish on the reef. Usually from 2 to 4 inches in length, the Flame is very shy, often darting into the safety of hard finger corals and hiding until the threat is gone. Hoover notes that the blue fringe is more pronounced in males, while Randall notes that the first of the 3 to 7 stripes is often a wider spot. Spawning occurs in pairs, but one male may have a harem of two females.

Scott  says, "One of my favorites to find on the reef, the Hawaiian Flame Angel has comparatively less orange than it's cousins around the world."

John P. Hoover agrees, noting "True Hawaiian Flames [have] brighter red between the bars".

"I call her 'Lips' " by Scott Rettig

When we are lucky enough to find one of these (often territorial) fishes on the reef, we quickly make the hand sign (like flicking a Bic lighter), then gently rise further away from the fish, giving it space. If we can resist the urge to rush it, or chase it into the reef, then this shy fish may just poke his nose out and allow the patient diver a nice glimpse.

Kama'aina? Not endemic. 

Size: From about 2" to about 5"

Depth:Safe hard coral areas from 30' to 100'.

White List? No. Cheaper to catch elsewhere in the Pacific.

Fish-Geek's Pick-Of-The-Week: Hawaii's Sea Monster

Sea Monster

Meerwunder vnd seltzame Thier / wie die in den Mitnächtigen Ländern / im Meer vnd auff dem Landt gefunden werden (taken from the vignettes on Olaus Magnus's Carta marina), Basel c. 1544, 34 x 28 cm

Latin: Cetus, Serpus Marinus
Greek: Ketos
Hawaiian: KoholaLoa

"A man by the name of Mapua, and others, were out fishing, with their boats anchored. They saw a great thing coming up, rising high above the surf, fire burning on top of it. They thought it was something evil and hurried to the shore, trembling and frightened by this wonderful apparition. They had fled, leaving all they had used while fishing. When they went up from the beach they told the high chief Kaeo and the other chiefs about this strange sight." Hawaiian Historical Legends by William D. Westervelt 1923

Local legends tell of a huge sea monster that has lived on the Kohala Coast for generations, and here, on our Fish-Geek's Pick-of-the-Week, we spill all about this mysterious monster, with legends confirmed by our very own crew. 

What do you think this is? From Bishop Museum, Honolulu

 Historian Geoff Dobson says, "It has been reported that Captain Cook’s HMS Endeavour in the South Pacific was attacked by a sea serpent that had to be beaten off by the crew."

Up the street from our very own dive shop, rises a huge Heiau (temple) by the name of Pu'ukohola- Whale Pu'u... or is it really named as the lookout post for the Sea Monster? Right below it is the "Shark" Heiau, Hale o Kapuni, which was hastily covered over by the US Military, some say to bury the truth about the ritual feeding of virgins to the vicious beast. Further rumors confirm a mysterious pre-Cook Portuguese ship sunk by the monster right off the Kohala Coast. Full of Portuguese gold and perhaps proof of earlier European visitation, it is currently the subject of a massive treasure hunt and Sea Monster hunting expedition.

Obviously the coiled lengths of a nasty sea monster. Photo by Kelleen Lum

 I can see you are skeptical, so let's not rely on proven Historical record: Read, if you dare, the quotes from our own crew about their encounters with the Leviathan:

Captain Bob confirms, "I have seen [it] erupt from the deep- that deep ledge where the huge shrimp are?- with a huge mouthful of shrimp, [it's] breath was horrible!"

Captain Greg nods and adds, "[The Monster] steals our fish right off the hook from our fishing boat lines. Just leaves the bloody hooked head behind!" 

You can believe them: They are fishermen and they always tell the truth.We also know what the Sea Monster eats: Shrimp from the deep, like Bob has witnessed, headless fish right off the line, the occasional unlucky solo kayaker, chewy sacrificial virgins, and yellow tangs by the mouthful- How else to explain how so many have gone missing? The Kohala Coast used to be called "The Gold Coast" because of all the thousands of yellow tangs coloring the waves yellow. Obviously the Sea Monster is eating them all.

From James J. Williams Collection Hawaiian Historical Society

Finally, we know where it is currently living:

Kelleen says, "I heard that there is a sunken Mahukona Sugar train that tumbled off a train trellis into the sea. If we can find it, imagine the wreck dive that would be? But it probably has [a sea monster]...living...in it." 

The many train cars would be a perfect fit for it's huge serpentine coils.
More crew testimonials:

Tina says, "Puff the Magic Dragon, who lives by the sea, was[n't] about a dragon in Hanalei Kauai, [but] obviously a reference to smoking [nostrils] and burning [eyes of] da kine Hawaiian green [sea monster]."

When asked about the Sea Monster, Robyn replied,

"Don't talk about Scott that way!"

Upon reading this list of true and proven facts, Historical record and crew testimonials, Flipper exclaimed:

"This is the biggest load of crapola, mis-information, and downright lies that I have ever seen. Frankly I am shocked- shocked!- that we would allow this pile of bull-[explicative] out there for our trusting divers to read. It is irresponsible yellow journalism! Everyone knows the season for Sea Monsters is summer, not April 1st!"

Kama'aina? Yes. Although relatives have been spotted in Scotland, Vermont, etc.

Size: Ginormous! Like Scary-huge!

Depth: Surface to Davey-Jones'-Locker deep.

White List? No. Not safe for Aquariums.

Tina's Guide to a Spotlessly Clean Scuba Diving Mask

Fish Geek's Technique Speak: Tina's Guide!

Tina needs you to clean your mask.

Cleaning your dirty SCUBA mask!

"I remember when my mask looked as clean and clear as the new masks on your shelf!"

 "Why does my mask fog up all the time? And what is that moldy looking stuff in the corners?"

"Tina, why are you twitching?"

We already had the Health Department destroy Scott's mask.

Tina is twitching because your mask is nasty-looking, and she just... CAN'T. So today a very special edition of Fish-Geek's-Technique-Speak will allow Tina to share all her awesome dive mask tips. She will feel less twitchy and you will be rewarded with comfort, crystalline visibility, and a mask that looks and feels like new!

"I scrubbed it with toothpaste!"

SeaBuff is more gentle.

WRONG: Tina's wondering if you used the 3-color swirl Aquafresh. This was old advice when toothpastes were grainy pastes, not colored gels. A brand-new mask is shipped with a protective layer of silicone covering to protect the lenses. If this coating is left on the new mask constantly fogs up. It is true that a new mask, and also a very dirty one, will benefit from a good scrub with a grainy but safe substance. We always scrub our customer's masks with SeaBuff (a product available at the shop specifically made for new masks), or Softscrub (rinse well!), or a home-made paste of baking soda and water. Rinse very well, especially in the corners, because these substances can be harmful.

"I used a lighter to burn off the silicone! Muh-ah-ha-ha!"

Tina says, "YIKES. We are not in Mexico!" Sure, some pyromaniacs swear by a lighter to burn off and remove this silicone layer. But really: You are going to take a lighter to your new $100 mask? We are not convinced what they are wiping off is anything other than smokey lighter fluid residue.

"Hey! I take care of my mask! I dunk it in the rinse bucket with my fins after every dive!" 

Well, good for you. You have now "rinsed" off the salt water and various ocean microbes... and replaced that with wetsuit shampoo, slightly diluted salt water and various ocean microbes, and maybe human pee. Put THAT on your face.

Tina makes a Blue Dawn/ Alcohol/ water mix that we call Tina's Magical Mask Mix. But at home, you can just use dish-washing soap like blue Dawn. It cuts the grease, sunscreen and makeup and restores the clarity of the silicone mask skirt. Tina nags us to do this with every mask. After every dive. Every day. And she is right.
We scrub the soap into the silicone skirt, making sure to get the nose, sides, the second ridge along the skirt, and all the little pockets. Rinse with clear, fresh water and leave to dry.

"There are tiny gouges and holes along the edge of my mask skirt!"
If you live in Hawaii, then insects are chewing on your mask. It is like a salty, greasy gummi bear to those bugs. Face it: Wrapped in bacon and dipped in Ranch dressing and you would probably eat it, too. After a good cleaning and drying, store your mask in the box it came in- airtight and protected from hungry critters! Never store a dirty mask- set yourself up nicely for your next dive season.

"Even after a good soapy wash, my mask skirt is beyond help. It is yellow, opaque, brittle, and even feels thicker than a new mask skirt!"
A thick, yellow mask skirt has usually been stored with neoprene. Wetsuits, boots, and even neoprene mask straps that we love so much can off-gas in storage and ruin your mask. When storing your clean, dry mask in its original box, remove the neoprene strap or strap keeper! We like to seal ours in a ziplock bag and store it with your other neoprene in a separate spot.

"Look at that Listerine-Blue sky! And ignore the mold in the corners"

"And what about that mold?"

"Wait...How does this go together?"

Yuck. The black mold that grows in the edges! You could try the old Listerine soak, but be sure to rinse very well because Listerine can be corrosive to silicone. Or maybe taking it apart, according to manufacturers directions, and cleaning the parts. Or finally, the old stand-by: Switch to a black-skirted mask so the black mold doesn't show!
 If left in your mask, the mold will eat away at the silicone until a pit develops, then a hole. Just ask Scott. Tina had to steal his mask and take it straight to the health department. 


Don't make Tina call the Health Department on you!



PRO-TIP: If you are de-fogging your mask by spitting in it, then you are causing that black mold in the corners! Ewwww! But stay tuned:

Next Time: Captain Stephen Makes it All Clear: De-Fogging with the Master.

Fish Geek's Pick of the Week! Hawaiian Dascyllus!

Video: Hawaiian Dascyllus with Eggs: Laying? Fertilizing? Protecting!, by Rebekah Kaufmann

Hawaiian Dascyllus

Latin: Dascyllus albisella (from Latin alba or white)
Hawaiian: 'alo'ilo'i (bright and sparkling)
Common: "Hawaiian Domino" or "Hawaiian White Spotted Damsel" or "Snowball Damsel"

Juvenile Hawaiian Dascyllus in the shelter of an urchin. Photo by Robyn Smith

We love "spotting" this awesome fish in both it's cute juvenile phase and its fascinating adult phase. Juveniles are small, black, with a bright white spot on each side, and a bright blue spot on their forehead. They often seek shelter in antler corals, urchins, or anemones (and are immune to anemone stings like their Damsel cousin Clown fish). As an adult, the blue spot disappears, and the white spot blends out into the greyer-black sides.

John P. Hoover says, "They can lighten or darken their color; while spawning they become almost entirely white. As with all damselfishes, the females lay eggs on the bottom while the males follow closely behind to fertilize them. When disturbed they make a chirping sound"

Kelleen says, "These guys are one of my favorites: I like pointing out the tiny ones and watching as they flit in and out of their protective homes. I also like approaching the adults and listening as they grunt in warning! We are used to listening for dolphins and whales underwater, but listen closer- these fish talk!"

The sounds of the Hawaiian Dascyllus have been described as "grunts", "chirps", or "pops", and when approaching a larger adult or a nest, divers can hear these sounds in a series of repetitive pops, along with aggressive darting from the defensive fish. A study by David A. Mann and Phillip S. Lobel recorded and analyzed these sounds, and found "Males produced pulsed sounds during the courtship behavior known as the signal jump, visiting by females (during pseudospawning), mating, aggression to heterospecifics and conspecifics, and nest preparation. Females made only aggressive sounds." Scuba divers, being not in the same species, will only hear the aggressive sounds.

Damsel Fish have one nostril instead of two! Hawaiian Dascyllus portrait by Robyn Smith.

Kama'aina? Endemic. Only found in Hawai'i and Johnston Island. They are very similar to another Damsel, the Threespot or Domino (Dascyllus trimaculatus), which lacks the neon-blue.

Size: To about 5" as adults. Juveniles are adorably tiny.

Depth: Around 30 feet- Adults like coral dropoffs for spawning, and juveniles like the protection of an antler coral or similar structure or animal.

White List? Yes. Damsel fish are generally popular in the aquarium trade because of their beauty and relative resiliancy, although Hoover warns, "One drawback is their aggressive nature...the strongest will often pick mercilessly on the others."

Fish Geek's Pick-Of-The-Week: Chevron Tang!

Chevron Tang (Juvenile Black Tang), by Scott Rettig

Chevron Tang

Latin: Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis

Happy New Year to our fish geeks! This week we feature one of our favorites, and a Tang that undergoes a dramatic transformation. New Year- New You! The "Chevron Tang" is actually just a common name for the juvenile stage of the Black Tang. As this fish grows on the reef, the bright colors change to dusky shades, then a rich chevroned black like crushed velvet (The Elvis stage), then finally it's adult greenish black with fine stripes.

John P. Hoover says, "Juveniles, often called Chevron Tangs, are cinnamon orange with bluish chevron markings and usually occur between 60 and 100 ft. in areas of heavy coral cover... The species is uncommon in Hawai'i except on the Big Island, where it can be abundant."

Robyn says, "This fish is one of our favorites, and we used to go out of our way to a site to visit one individual. Except this year! Well, 2014 Summer, I mean, when we had a huge explosion of surgeonfish on our reefs in Hawaii, and suddenly they were everywhere! Now they are in an in-between stage where their colors are a bit duskier and purple. We will point out a few for you, then notice on your own how each individual is in a slightly different color stage."

So let this beautiful fish inspire your 2015 with its colorful stages and exciting metamorphosis!

Kama'aina? Not endemic. But check out that Latin species name!

Size: From about 2" to about 5", when they are truly in the Black Tang phase.

Depth:Safe hard coral areas from 30' to 100'.

White List? Yes. As both Hoover and Robyn stated, these fish are rare- except for this year! Chevrons are popular in tanks because they remain in the juvenile stage, meaning that they retain their bright colors, noted chevrons, and small size.

Headache! Why Does My Head Hurt After Scuba Diving?

Photo by Oliver Evangelista from video

 

Fish Geek's Technique Speak

Headaches, diving, and what you can do about them.

"I love diving, but I always end up with a killer headache afterwards! Why? Is there something I can do about them? Should I be concerned? Do I have the bends?!?!"

We get this question here at Fish Geek Central all the time, and mostly: No, you most likely aren't bent with the shallow reef dives and long, chatty, whale-watching surface intervals on our boat. But there are some things we can talk about to maybe ease your headaches!

Reason: Dehydration
Solution: Drink more water!
Actually, the most common reason for headaches, and the most common reason we see on the boat, is not drinking enough water. I know: You get off an airplane (with dry air) and you drink a big ol' Mai Tai (dehydrating), then a Coke from the mini-bar (dehydrating), then maybe wine with dinner (dehydrating), wake up the next morning for your much-anticipated dive trip and slam a quick coffee... It's not the Bends- It's lack of water! We drink a ton of water in Hawaii because of sun and saltwater and and an active lifestyle. You should too! Now you are left with the question: How can I drink enough water and still refrain from peeing in my wetsuit! Argh!

Reason: Hypercapnea
Solution: Breathe normally. Perfect Buoyancy. Wash out CO2 with deep safety stop breaths. 
Oh dear! "Hypercapnea" sounds serious! But it just means "excess carbon dioxide". There are many reasons carbon dioxide builds up in our bodies: Increased breathing rate due to stress or exertion, dead-air spaces inside our scuba gear, or some people's physiology just creates and holds carbon dioxide more. The increased pressure: both water pressure and physical and mental stress of diving can make us breathe harder and cause a build-up of CO2. Also, an inappropriate technique called "skip-breathing" causes CO2 buildup. Skip-Breathing is adding breath-holds to your breathing in a faulty attempt to slow your breathing down (inhale-hold-exhale-hold). But this technique actually causes the circulatory CO2 to increase, leading to faster, stressed breathing, and earlier tank air depletion. A better idea is to focus on breathing normally, perfecting buoyancy skills so your gear does the work for you, and letting the joys of diving naturally relax and slow your breathing. Obsessively tracking your breathing rate will increase stress. Stop obsessing. (Now you're obsessing, aren't you.)

Finally, on your 3 minute safety stop at 15', take some nice, deep breaths. Often we breathe shallowly, which increases dead-air space. Take some deep breaths that fill your whole lungs through your abdomen. Hold onto a line if the deep, slow breaths make you positively buoyant. Spending a bit of your 3 minute stop breathing whole breaths may help.

Reason : Jaw fatigue.
Solution: Relax teeth. Try new mouthpiece.
An often overlooked reason for diver headaches may be jaw stress. We are supposed to lightly hold the regulator mouthpiece with our teeth, while primarily holding the regulator in with our lips. But our bitten-through rental regulator mouthpieces tell a different story! Locking our teeth on the regulator will tense all those jaw muscles and cause headaches later. Try relaxing your teeth, wiggling your jaw (Hey! That helps with ear equalization!), or even touching your jaw bone with a few fingers to remind yourself to relax. Another solution is trying a few different mouthpieces until you find one that allows your teeth some comfort. There are ones with longer teeth plates, shorter plates, cushioned, mold-able, and this diver's favorite: A mouthpiece that holds in against the roof of the mouth, taking the back teeth completely out of the equation. (Middle black mouthpiece on reg in photo). 

Reason: Contaminated Air.

Solution: Have your tanks filled by a reputable shop that changes it's filters regularly. A good clue is- Does everyone on-board have the same headache? Is there an oily taste to the air? Our own Captain Stephen tracks and changes our filters, and we all know how detailed and clean he likes things! Also: If you are on a boat, stay away from diesel engine fumes. Move forward to be in the cleansing sea air (and also get a better view of Spinner dolphins!)

Reason: Sinuses.

Solution: Do not dive with a cold! You probably can't equalize your ears and sinuses anyway with a head cold. Snorkeling is a great solution!

Reason: Badly fitting mask or hood.

Solution: Loosen your mask strap! Remember, the water pressure holds your mask in place, and a tight strap will hurt your forehead and actually make your mask leak more, as the skirt of the mask peels back under the stress of the tightened strap. Make sure your mask is positioned correctly on the crown of your head, and not folding or crushing your ears. Finally, make sure your snorkel keeper or clip isn't digging into your temple or pulling your hair.

Reason: Your buddy is driving you crazy!

Solution: Well. All we can say is, spend the surface interval talking with them, reminding them what it means to be a good dive buddy. Good luck!

While "headache" can be one of the symptoms of many more serious conditions, including decompression illness, with a lack of additional symptoms one of your headache reasons is probably listed above. However, please don't ignore more serious symptoms. Communicate any symptoms or concerns with your Captain, crew, divemaster, and buddies. We have an extensive first aid kit aboard with an Oxygen kit, a cooler full of water, and a willing ear. 

Be safe out there!

Fish Geek's Pick-Of-The-Week: Extra Geeky Edition! Hybrid Thompson x Pyramid!

Hemitaurichthys Hybrid. Photo by John P. Hoover.

Hybrid! Of Pyramid and Thompson's Butterflies!

Pyramid: Hemitaurichthys polylepis ("many scales")

Thompson's: Hemitaurichthys thompsoni (after John W. Thompson of the Bishop Museum)

Kelleen says, "Sometime in July (according to my logbook) I spotted this individual with a small school of pyramids on a gently sloped dropoff near 40'. It was like the area it occupied suddenly went black & white. My first thought was that it was a pyramid with no pigment, like an albino, but grey is still pigment, yes? Robyn thought it may be hybrid of Thompson's and Pyramid, and upon seeing it, John P. Hoover agreed. Being Hapa myself, I have much love for a hybrid!"

Indeed, Hybrids are very rare and special. The hybrid species we most often see on our dives are surgeonfish. This summer's epic bloom of surgeons and butterflies has increased the amount and distribution of pyramids on our sites. Thompson's butterflies, often called "Businessmen butterfly" due to their grey suits, are a rare butterfly most often seen in the waters of Hawaii island. Although neither fish is endemic, the beauty of the pyramid crossed with the rarity of the Thompson's makes this a special and rare fish. Upon revisiting a site, we are more apt to locate distinctive individuals like a hybrid, albino, or a fish with a noticeable wound or deformation. Because we are sappy fish geeks, we feel like these fish are our pet friends, and we worry about them being eaten, caught or captured. The staff at the Bishop museum commented that any variation (hybrid, albino, deformed) is exciting, not to mention a never before documented hybrid.

John E. Randall says, "More natural hybrids of coral reef fishes have been found in the butterflyfish and angelfish families... It should be noted, however, that hybrids are rarely a perfect amalgamation of the color patterns of the two parent species. Often a hybrid resembles one parent more than the other. This could be the result of the hybrid breeding with one of the original parent species." He also noted that he "Never saw that hybrid". 

 John P. Hoover says, "Possibly the only known hybrid in genus Hemitaurichthys."

Another beautiful photo from John P. Hoover

Kama'aina? Not endemic, but so rare and special!

Size: Both species only get to about 3".

Depth: Drop-offs and ledges around 40', with these two species often schooling together.

White List? Pyramid butterflies are on the white list, meaning they are legal to take. Thompson's are not on the list. Unknown where legally a hybrid of the two would fall. 
Albinos and hybrids are not only valuable for ichthyologists to study, but also unfortunately valuable in the aquarium trade, often fetching larger sums. We are therefore worried about this guy and hope it gets to live a long life and breed on the reef, instead of selfishly belonging only to one collector. Luckily, this fish exists in an area illegal to take fish for the aquarium trade. 
Please feel free to ask us questions about this special fish: We are excited to share this find with our enthusiastic and appreciative divers.