409 Dive Log Australasia December 24

Bucket List Species #4 – Goblinfish Occasionally, and quite often in recent times, the weird looking goblinfish, Glyptauchen panduratus has been found under the jetty. This somewhat bizarre scorpionfish relative has a head and a neck and reminds me of a pigeon. It grows to about 19 cm in length and has venomous spines that can cause a very painful injury. The goblinfish is a nocturnal ambush predator that is very well camouflaged and rarely seen. It can rapidly adjust its coloration to blend in with the environment. For photographers, the goblinfish is usually inanimate and makes for a great subject that is easy to work with. They have a distinctive red ring around their eyes making for great colour contrast. Divers should be careful using constant lighting around goblinfish as this will cause them to swiftly seek somewhere dark. Other Critters There are several other incredible marine animals to be found at Edithburgh. Around the sandy areas you may find Bobtail and Dumpling Squid and several species of octopuses. In fact, octopuses are found across the whole dive site. In the sea grass are many different varieties of pipefishes, often with their heads up above the grass feeding in the current. Tiny pygmy pipe horses live around the edge of the jetty but it takes excellent eyesight to find them. The corkweed is home to the short-headed seahorse commonly found at Edithburgh. They sit in the top of the weed at night feeding and hide in the bottom of it during the day.

Goblinfish

Cleaner cling fish tending eggs

close up of prickly Anglerfish eggs

Bobtail Squid

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DIVE LOG Australasia #409 - December ‘24