New Critters!

[MedicineMan]

Hi All;

It's been a while since I've been here. Hope all is well! I have to publicly admit that both Jodi and Duane have some awesome looking aquariums! And a special thanks to Duane for taking great care of my babies.

I went diving into God's aquarium last Thursday and "discovered" two new to me life-forms. One was a sea cucumber, kind of plain brownish-gray with "spikes" on its body and tentacles around the mouth for feeding. It was about 6 to 8 inches long (hard to tell for sure as it was hiding in a coral head) and about an inch in diameter. I was thrilled 'cuz I found it all by myself!

The other "new to me" discovery turned out to be a pencil eel. I was turning over a rock to check out a brittle star (they're all over the place here!) and there was this itty-bitty eel, perfectly shaped, bright yellow on the ends fading to greenish in the center. It was all of 4 inches long and perhaps 1/3rd inch in diameter. It was a perfectly miniturized moray, from the face and teeth, all along the back to its tail. Cool stuff!

Another exciting view on this dive was baby gray reef sharks schooling with their mother and perhaps cousins. I counted 33 of them, most in the 2 foot range but mama was 7 feet or better. Very exciting stuff, watching them swim around, knowing that I was a foreigner in their world!

The triggers have mated and laid eggs. Let me tell you, those guys can be quite aggressive when guarding their brood! I had one almost hit my mask in defense of its babies! I've never seen any fish so aggressive!

Did you know that damsels make a noise? Hanging near their coral heads, they make a kind of trill sound; like a cross between a purr and a growl. They adamantly guard their territory; I placed my hand on a rock near a domino damsel (about a 5 inch one!) and it proceeded to bite me! It didn't hurt or anything, just felt like a finger tapping on the hand.

One last thing. Did you know blood looks black at 60 feet? I discovered this when a German tourist photographer forced his way into the nook I was looking in and hit my hand on a long spined urchin. Thinking about it I can feel the spines all over again!

Hope everyone is healthy and that their reefs are staying cool in the summer heat!

Larry

[StellaMN]

Hey Larry!!

Sounds like you're having some great dives again...!!

It was great to see you while you were on the "mainland"...glad to hear you made it home safe. Keep in touch!

Jodi

[mjsandbe]

Ditto

[MedicineMan]

It was good to see you folks, too. I wish I'd had more time to spend with each of you!

I guess I was a little disappointed in not seeing and meeting any new members. How are things going with the club? I see new members post once in a while but am not sure how tightly knit of a group you are.

I saw a "wild" mantis on a dive a couple of weeks ago and it was pretty cool! Actually, about all I got to see were its two eyes poking up out of the sand and its front "smasher" claws. The dive guide was kind of "teasing" it out of its hole with her finger. I thought, "Are you nuts? Don't you know they call them 'thumb-splitters'??" Later she said that if you get "attacked" it feels like a flick of the fingers, kind of sore but not really painful. I don't think I want to find out after hearing about the one in Britain that broke the 1/4" aquarium glass!

Are there any activities there that lead to further learning about ocean critters? Has the club ever considered talking to Barnes and Noble about having a publicly announced meeting there? I know they used to have all sorts of clubs and/or discussion groups while I was there; maybe that'd be a good way to attract new members and also get some ideas for growing the club!

It's another beautiful Maui morning and it's calling me outside (along with Kojak and his toy). Hope this finds everyone healthy and in great spirits!

[mjsandbe]

The invite list for your visit was limited to those who knew you. It did not seem right to invite people who did not know you to a gathering in your honor.

I think that everybody in the club has agreed to let it grow organically. The amount of time, effort, money, and commitment needed to really drive RMAC into the public eye is well beyond what anyone wants to invest. With full time jobs, homes, families, pets, aquariums, etc. taking our time, money, and energy, nobody has stepped forward ready to dedicate a good chunk of their life to the club. We are happy to be relatively small and grow by word of mouth.

This is of course all JMO,

[MedicineMan]

You are a wise group (which is natural since I've been a member!)

[jjwdiver]

Larry...did you once live in Rochester and frequent MDC Sports?

[MedicineMan]

Yes, that's me. Are you John from MDC Sports? If you ever come to Maui, let me know; I know the best diving outfit and even a great place for dinner or lunch afterwards.

[jjwdiver]

That's me, Glad to have been reading your adventures Larry! I've been stricken with the disease of starring into a glass box and throwing money away. Although just getting started (no water in it yet), I can see this being a long and trying hobby. Good to know you're still around in the world bothering people.

[MedicineMan]

Hey John;

Yes, reef keeping can be expensive. You can save a lot of money by getting to know some of the people in the club and learning from their mistakes, though! As a diver, you already know a little bit about the critters you will be keeping; learn more, though. When you think you know enough, read some more! It'll also save money in the long run by not going cheap on your equipment.

Glad to hear you're still alive and well!

Larry