DIVE LOG Australasia

Red Indian Fish Shedding Skin Photographed and filmed by LYNNE TUCK in July 2024

T he Red Indian Fish ( Pataecus fronto ), known for its distinctive appearance, can be quite elusive. Once found, it is a great photo subject as they don't swim away! Sometimes they are tucked under ledges or in crevices making it hard to get the right angle for a decent photo. In July, my buddies and I were very lucky to find 4 different individuals, at Bare Island, a Sydney hotspot for these unusual fish. I photographed one of them 3 times over a period of an hour, not

realising till the last photos that it was shedding its skin. I also shot some nice footage of one of them moving along the sand. I have made a short "you tube" video of the footage and photos here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afMfbzNEoiM I have logged my photos with iNaturalist at the Australian Museum, I encourage anyone photographing any of these behaviours or animals to do the same.

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DIVE LOG Australasia #408 - October ‘24