Hitchin' A Ride On A Seahorse

Here's an installment from the recent adventures at Blue Heron Bridge! More on my site to come. Best, Carol

PS - Photos taken with Nikon d200, Subal ND20, 105vr lens, Subal 105vr port (AF & MF) for lens and Nikon 5T diopter (attached with 'blue tak' - pic of that here - http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showt...=25237&hl=)

Hitchin’ a ride -- is there any wonder that underwater creatures hitch a ride on a “horse†down below? Question is how many creatures are actually going for a free ride? Well, read on......

A few weeks ago, during the last week of May and the first week of June, I had the privilege of diving one of my fav spots - Blue Heron Bridge, Riveria Beach, Florida. I don’t know what it is but I really like diving and finding the unusual critters that hang out there; and this time I was happy to take a girlfriend of mine along and kind of “re-enthuse†her with scuba diving. As I told Gloria, it is like a “treasure hunt†and the “treasure†you find may be fish or creatures you have never seen or at least rarely ever see.

Here is what we saw on just one dive on Friday, June 6th:

2 striated frogfish (large female and small male?)

3 longsnout seahorses (2 brown and one yellow w/reddish highlights)

10 - at least 10 octopus (common octos and possibly the same pygmy species we have on the West Coast of Florida)

3 - atlantic longarm octos (mimic)

3 - pipefish, one of them the uncommon whitenose pipefish

Lots - of unusual “slugsâ€

2 - searobins, 1 banded and 1 leopard

12+ - yellow garden eels (the more uncommon garden eels)

1 - northern stargazer

Lots - of cool decorator crabs

schools of baitfish and lots of other cool fish, etc., etc.

Plus the water visibility was quite good. Depending on the tides and clarity of water coming in from the Atlantic, viz varies dramatically. But I’ve noticed when there are east winds pushing that clear Gulf Stream water nearer shore - if the winds aren’t too strong and the water isn’t stirred up too much - the water at Blue Heron, right before and right after slack tide - can be this gorgeous blue.

Getting back to “hitchhikingâ€, this beautiful and mezmerising longsnout seahorse here was happily searching around his area for yummy bits to eat - and this strange, very small, sea hare slug - hitched a ride! I’m not even sure what type of sea hare it is. Slugs in our part of the world aren’t really that well documented, plus this one being 1/4 in. to 1/3 in., long and quite transparent on the sand, it is close to this species - blue-rig sea hare (Stylocheilus longicauda) - it has the blue spots but I don’t see the numerous blue lines, plus it is quite a bit smaller than the usual size range. But I am sure its some type of sea hare.

Fascinating thing is the seahorse just took it all in stride and continued to feed as shown below. See what he has just slurped up despite his passenger?

Also if you have very keen eyes note that there is another “hitchhikerâ€, a very unlikely one. On the top of the seahorse, behind its head, is a way cool, super tiny, thin and transparent creature called a skeleton shrimp. That is the second hitchhiker and a surprise to me because from watching these seahorses over several days it seemed to be that their fav food was indeed skeleton shrimp! That skeleton shrimp sure is living dangerously perched up there!!!!

More feeding despite (or ignoring) his passenger -

Now the sea hare is dismounting his ride -

Thanks Mr. Seahorse for the ride! - (of course I wanted to get a better shot of the slug than this one, but right after this I lost the sea hare on the substrate - he blended right in!!! And remember it is under 1/3 in. long.) -

And here is the third “hitchhiker†-- I think it is a type of amphipod. This creature didn’t stick around quite as long as the others - but interesting thing it is has some of the same coloration and same small blue spots as the sea hare did -

How many other hitchers? Your guess is a good as mine but I must say I’m sure there are others!

More tales of Blue Heron Bridge to come - Best, Carol

Wonderful post Carol. Thanks for the narrative.

Wow. Amazing, Carol.

Looking forward to diving there before the Wetpixel Shearwater trip in a few weeks. And I hope that the fish collectors don't read your post. I have never seen A. striatus in the Atlantic. Fingers crossed they are still there.

Alex

Wow. Amazing, Carol.

 

Looking forward to diving there before the Wetpixel Shearwater trip in a few weeks. And I hope that the fish collectors don't read your post. I have never seen A. striatus in the Atlantic. Fingers crossed they are still there.

 

Alex

Thanks Alex (and John)!

Alex, the "fish collectors" are there and they know. Hey the Petition to Protect Blue Heron Bridge (Sign it if you haven't yet as it will help!) - it has listed a lot more species than I did! Plus this was weeks ago and everything has moved (I got a report form my friend from this past Wed & Thurs).

Alex you know the "fish collectors" are being watched very carefully. Many people don't know that it isn't legal to collect commercially there - even with a permit. BUT it is legal to collect personally "for a home aquarium". So there are several guys who are there 4X a week collecting for their "home aquariums" and illegally selling. The Park Rangers and Fish and Wildlife aren't fooled and are quite "pissed" I must add. Yes there isn't a lot they can do now besides a county citation but they are making life pretty difficult for the illegal "collectors".

At this point it is known what is there so actually more awareness and even policing by swimmers and divers is really going to help.

Unfortunately I think the only way to really stop all collecting at Blue Heron Bridge is to make the place a State Preserve or some other sort of State or Federal designated preserve. That is how the Old Phosphate Dock at Boca Grande was saved and thus what is left of the historic structure is saved and many endangered goliath grouper, manatees and other creatures that gather there. But then right outside the boundaries major tarpon and shark fishing is carried out - so you can't save it all unfortunately.

At this point I think it is better to get the word out and we all can help make a difference at BHB.

Carol

For the slug afficianados -

I got a "maybe" ID on the sea hare - so I won't quote the source but they say they think it is

Stylocheilus striatus

but ID is not sure.

I tried to get more pics of it because I knew it was unusual but I lost it in the substrate after it "dismounted" the seahorse. It matches perfectly with the bottom there and it was so small. I guess I'll have to wait for it to hitch a ride again...

Carol

What an incredible series of photos. Thanks for sharing.

This is a great sequence, Carol - I love these types of photos, which really show the diversity of the marine world. And all in a few square inches. Thanks for posting.

More tales of Blue Heron Bridge to come - Best, Carol

Beautiful Carol, I have only seen a Seahorse twice and look forward to the day where I can get anything remotely as good as what you have there.

Carol:

Great stuff! Like you, I love the Blue Heron Blvd Bridge. It's truly a gem. Great pickup on the "hitchhikers" riding the seahorse. I'm sure I never would have noticed them until I finished processing the images and said "Hey, what's that?". Thanks for sharing.

Doug

Super shots, Carol! Thanks for sharing the images and the stories behind them. A friend of mine dives there regularly and also reports seeing a great assortment of unusual marine life. I have dived there once and, even though the tides didn't allow me to dive under the bridge, I still saw lots of interesting things, including some cool moon jellies.

I hope to dive there again on my next trip to Florida.

Thanks again for posting!

Ellen

Great Carol. Beats me how you see that tiny stuff.

So when are we going diving?

Great Carol. Beats me how you see that tiny stuff.

So when are we going diving?

Jeff - a well I have a Sub-See from ReefNet --- but of course I forgot to bring it with me it so I was actually quite "blind" when not looking through the viewfinder!

And....., I would have asked you to go but I thought you didn't really dig too much on macro stuff?? Hey buddy, anytime...... Hear they saw a tiger shark north of Jupiter, a couple of days ago on a dive, and a female loggerhead with a mutilated right back shell/missing flipper on the same dive. Fresh bite - bet it was that tiger! Good thing is I think the turtle will survive if it can stay away from the shark. Turtles can make it with missing flippers and I know divers thought about trying to help the turtle but it seemed to be fine. Lots of stuff going on underwater Florida - big and small.

And everyone else thanks so much for the positive response - I thought this was a cool occurrence! Best, Carol

Beautiful pictures. A veritable seahorse bus.

Beautiful pictures. A veritable seahorse bus.

That's really funny David. Reminds me of the "beach trolly" beach bus that runs up and down the beach near me its called the "Jolly Trolley"....

Photo Credit City of Clearwater

Anyway it makes be ponder a sort of --- Seahorse Jolly Trolley??? --- B)

Too funny, Carol

PS for those interested Ellen Mueller sent me some interesting images of another longsnout seahorse with S. striatus on it, cleaning the seahorse??

Discussion with Ellen's insights is here at:

http://www.digitaldiver.net/yabbse/index.p...;threadid=24700

Carol,

Great to see those sites you told me about ages ago are still super productive.

Keep on posting your photographs! it's been amazing to see how much you've progressed since we first had contact!

Very nice Carol! You really got some great captures on that yellow seahorse. I've been seeing a brown 'lined' seahorse there recently, but I haven't spotted the yellow one. I haven't found those garden eels either. I must take a closer look!

I dove there yesterday afternoon and counted 4 frogfish, among many other cool things. Each of the frogfish I saw were striated and one was showing off some great lure behaviors.

There's been a wealth of discoveries there lately, even moreso than usual. I can't wait to get back!

Happy diving, Robyn C.

Very nice Carol! You really got some great captures on that yellow seahorse. I've been seeing a brown 'lined' seahorse there recently, but I haven't spotted the yellow one. I haven't found those garden eels either. I must take a closer look!

I dove there yesterday afternoon and counted 4 frogfish, among many other cool things. Each of the frogfish I saw were striated and one was showing off some great lure behaviors.

There's been a wealth of discoveries there lately, even moreso than usual. I can't wait to get back!

Happy diving, Robyn C.

Ahhhh, "Snaphappy", a very good screen name for you Robyn!!!

Yes, this yellow had a brown "mate", but they probably moved when the thundershowers started happening as they are so picky about water salinity you know. There were others around also but I didn't get to see a lined - this last time - although I have seen the lined over here on the west coast a little south of where I live recently.

The yellow garden eels Heteroconger luteolus, were there every day I dove but you have to hit the right tidal flow for them to "appear" and they don't stay out for long. I didn't have a long enough lens to shoot them properly but I was able to positively ID them as they are a bit different than the more common brown garden eels. I don't see the yellow garden eels very often at all and the records don't indicate them that shallow but the records need to be updated!

And I've heard about the # of frogs and suspect from a report I got and past pics of mine that at least one "spawned" (yes!). I've got some striated pics I'll post soon - was able to get some nice blue/aqua water backgrounds as I find the striated frogfish a bit unsatisfying to photo underwater usually there due to their choice of habitat. I'd love to see some of your pics of them recently and lure activities as they do have the most amazing lures!! The split/wormy-like striated frogfish A. striatus lures and the delicate pom-pom of the ocellated A. ocellatus frogfish species lures are the coolest lures of all the frogfish species around the world I think and we are lucky enough to see them in Florida - Yes! Are all four frogs the same color now?

Lots more to come including series of pics of "octo mating" activities. But I think I actually needed a wider lens for them - next time I'm taking w/a down when the water is that clear!

Again love to see some of your pics and glad to say howdy to you on WP!

Best Always, Carol

Ahhhh, "Snaphappy", a very good screen name for you Robyn!!!

 

Yes, this yellow had a brown "mate", but they probably moved when the thundershowers started happening as they are so picky about water salinity you know. There were others around also but I didn't get to see a lined - this last time - although I have seen the lined over here on the west coast a little south of where I live recently.

 

The yellow garden eels Heteroconger luteolus, were there every day I dove but you have to hit the right tidal flow for them to "appear" and they don't stay out for long. I didn't have a long enough lens to shoot them properly but I was able to positively ID them as they are a bit different than the more common brown garden eels. I don't see the yellow garden eels very often at all and the records don't indicate them that shallow but the records need to be updated!

 

And I've heard about the # of frogs and suspect from a report I got and past pics of mine that at least one "spawned" (yes!). I've got some striated pics I'll post soon - was able to get some nice blue/aqua water backgrounds as I find the striated frogfish a bit unsatisfying to photo underwater usually there due to their choice of habitat. I'd love to see some of your pics of them recently and lure activities as they do have the most amazing lures!! The split/wormy-like striated frogfish A. striatus lures and the delicate pom-pom of the ocellated A. ocellatus frogfish species lures are the coolest lures of all the frogfish species around the world I think and we are lucky enough to see them in Florida - Yes! Are all four frogs the same color now?

 

Lots more to come including series of pics of "octo mating" activities. But I think I actually needed a wider lens for them - next time I'm taking w/a down when the water is that clear!

 

Again love to see some of your pics and glad to say howdy to you on WP!

Best Always, Carol

Yes, I agree that it's difficult to get quality shots of a striated frogfish due to their choice of habitat. As many times as I've attempted to photograph them, I've yet to capture an image of one that I'm really happy with.

Each of the frogfish I've been seeing are of the striated species. Last week I saw two of them together, one of which had a huge swollen belly and looked very expectant. Here's a pic I took and I apologize for the poor quality:

Here's another pic from my dive at the bridge last Sunday which shows a froggie trying to attract some prey:

This is the lined seahorse I mentioned in my previous post and it's the only one I've been able to find lately:

What has had me the most excited has been discovering some of the nudibranchs and slugs that exist at the park. I've been diving with some members from my club who really have a knack for spotting these miniscule creatures and they've generously been sharing their finds with me. I'm hoping that with practice, I'll eventually be able to discover a few of my own.

I must say, they're so much smaller than the ones I've seen in the Pacific, as most of the ones at the bridge are no larger than 1/2" and many are even smaller!

Here's a few of the ones I've had the pleasure of seeing:

The first one is of the Flabilina genus and I believe the second one is too.

Here's a colorful Chromodoris binza:

And lastly, I was told that this one is an unusual find...a Cuthona caerulea:

Carol, please continue to share your pics and experiences at the bridge and hopefully we'll be able to hook up for a dive in the upcoming months. Thanks for this great post! Robyn

Carol, please continue to share your pics and experiences at the bridge and hopefully we'll be able to hook up for a dive in the upcoming months. Thanks for this great post! Robyn

Robyn,

I just LOVE your slug photos - ooooooh I have to concentrate on those more but yes most are really small!

Yes I think two frogfish have/or are going to spawn from reports I got too. This is really good. I wonder what is making this such a great year for them?

Thanks Robyn too, I'll be posting more. I really think now with the popularity of the bridge that actually having more divers around and enthused about the critters will help protect them - at least this is what I'm hoping as its not a "secret" anymore.... I was talking to one of the park rangers and he really didn't know all that was out there and was very interested to be given more information about the sealife in the vicinity (from an enthusiastic source) and I think it even gives them more incentive to closely monitor the shady "collectors" - those shady guys have a lot of "heat" on them right now and that's good for our underwater friends.

The lined seahorse is gorgeous. I really like that species with all the weedy "appendages"! Those are the ones we are most likely to find over on this coast also - still uncommon though.

Thanks so much for posting here and hope to see more from you!!! I've learned a lot from WP and always finding ways to improve my photography.

More to come and take care - Carol

Carol,

Great to see those sites you told me about ages ago are still super productive.

Keep on posting your photographs! it's been amazing to see how much you've progressed since we first had contact!

Thanks so much Graham. I didn't want to be remiss in responding to this bit of encouragement! Yes, I'm "progressing" but I still have a way to go. I actually think I even have some more choice photos than these "hitchin" ones but they didn't have the interesting slug, etc. I know Alex Mustard told me "don't be afraid to fail" so I've been experimenting with lots of different things (like brighter and bluer backgrounds because I like those) and being bold! But its still hard when say you "fail" on a shot of a seahorse sucking up a skeleton shrimp with all the vacuuming up aspect, etc!!! - Oh, well we all need something to strive for....

Thanks again Graham and all - more to come.

BTW the hitchhiker slug was definitely IDed as S. striatus (in case I forgot to post it). Carol

I've been diving with some members from my club who really have a knack for spotting these miniscule creatures and they've generously been sharing their finds with me. I'm hoping that with practice, I'll eventually be able to discover a few of my own.

Hi Robyn,

I have no doubt that you will be able to find many of these creatures on your own in the future.

Wow, PFP is really producing some awesome stuff these days and you're helping to show us 'the stuff'

I wanted to tell you how great your images look on wetpixel

All the best,

Ellen