They grow up fast!
You may remember this juvenile Spotted Trunkfish (Lactophrys bicaudalis) from when I first posted a picture of him last November. He was about the size of a nickel. I saw him again in January and then again this week. He now has more of an adult shape, although he still has room to grow from his current 3-4” to an adult size of 8-10”. I know it is the same fish because they are relatively rare at Blue Heron Bridge and he has been hanging out in the same general area. (To be 100% honest, I have no idea if it is a boy or a girl.)
I actually managed three dives this week for the first time in ages. Here are a few more of the fun critters I got to hang out with. The Lancer Dragonet was the smallest I have ever found (<1”) and look at how tiny that octo is. That is the mouth of a beer bottle! I am still trying to confirm the ID on the sponge crab. I have never seen one like that before. Remember, you can click on an image to view it full screen.
