Past Friends
Although some cold water fish can live up to 100 years, tropical fish are lucky to hit 30.
Sometimes storms carry them away so far away (in the night + murky water), that they do not find their way back. Some may grow too big for our shallow water. Some may get killed by fishermen, either by line or spear. Some have died a natural death. First fish have to grow up enough to gain the size and confidence to interact with us, then we are lucky to get ten years association with them.
Franklin the goldentailed moray eel
For nine years Franklin was my favorite friend as his presence gave exceptional value to the undersea experience. Unlike other eels he would come out with confidence and I would guide him from hand to hand to the food jar at the end of the line. Folks would...
ET with Divers
ET was an interesting blend of one part curiosity and three parts stupidity. It was great having him for people to touch and see but I had to keep an eye on him constantly. His inquisitive stupidity ended up cracking two camera LCDs, two of my watches, as well as...
ET the porcupine puffer
In 2009 made quite regular appearences, at least once a week. He is quit an amazing fellow. First of all he does not shoot out quills. Secondly there is no poisin in the spines. They are only dangerous to eat. In Japan it is considered a delicacy, a gastronomic...
Barack the black grouper
Back when Hillary Clinton and Obama were having their tete-a-tete in the Democratic Convention, we put our vote on Barack. A black grouper appeared on the scene. A predator, large enough to eat any tomtate, sergeant major, french grunt, or juvenile bream watched us...
Charles the hogfish
Sad news! After over nine years of friendship Charles was driven away by a four inch long remora, or shark sucker. I am hoping to make friends with a new one, but they have to swim by first. They are getting more rare as people enjoy eating them and feel they need to...