Don’t even think it!
That is what I was saying to this Sharksucker as he cruised around us when we entered the water on our second dive on Friday. These fish have a highly modified dorsal fin (the one on top). It has developed into a sucker on top of their head that allows them to temporarily attach to larger fish, rays, whales, dolphins or turtles. They feed on the scraps left behind when their host eats. Occasionally they will attach themselves to divers, but he left us alone after a few flybys. They can also be found free swimming. He was about two fee long.
Sharksucker (Echeneis naucrates), North Dry Rocks Reef, Key Largo, Florida
As you know, I love to participate in citizen science. For the past two weeks I have observed (photographed and uploaded) local species as part of iNaturalist’s International Day for Biological Diversity project. Although I often upload photos to iNaturalist, I don’t usually include every species I photograph each week. I did for this project. 107 species over 16 days (mostly underwater as we spent the week diving in Key Largo). This pushed the total number of species I have posted on that site to 1018! Here are a few of my favorites from the past week.
The Dwarf Sea Horse was the tiniest I have ever seen (about as wide as linguini). That is a blade of grass he is hanging onto! The Eyespot Costasiella in the center below was also miniscule (1/8” ish). The flatworm is a new one for me.
Remember, click on an image to view it full screen.
