405_April_24

The amazing Leatherjackets MARINE BIOLOGY WITH MIKE SCOTLAND - FISH IDENTIFICATION

Picture this scenario from my children’s book. Y ou have been invited to a morning tea with a very wise, ancient Sea Star and a young Leatherjacket. This Sea Star has lived for eons and is renowned for his great wisdom across the entire Pacific Ocean. You are careful to breathe as queitly as you can and to listen for pearls of wisdom that may be overheard.

The conversation turns to close encounters. You remain respectfully on the back foot and listen. The Sea Star tells of terrifying attacks from hungry fish with arms being bitten off and tales of horrible violence over the last eighty years. Still, he has survived for many decades and developed such knowledge and wisdom that he is more than willing to share for those who care to listen.. Now, the Leatherjacket speaks. He begins. “ I recall the day when a wobbegong ate me in a terrifying lightning attack. He caught me off guard! As I went down the vortex of death, I tumbled past the backward pointing teeth, down the huge gullet to certain death inside the Wobbe. This is bad, I thought. I must elevate my dorsal spine and lock it in before it is too late. Snap goes my formidible sharp spine as it locks into the vertical position. Thank Heaven for that, I say to myself. Immediately, I hear blood curdling, deafening screams of my adversary. I feel powerful spasms of muscle as I am regurgitated out the halls of death back up into his huge mouth. I duck as the nasty pointed teeth trying to catch me. Next, I am blasted out of his mouth like a circus cannonball. ”

Mosaic leatherjackets are a favourite photo subject.

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DIVE LOG Australasia #405 - April ‘24

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