Flame Dart Fish

Hello,

I really like these fish. I don't think the still photos do them justice with their "darting" movement.

There were actually two dart fish at this spot. One of the other divers got a great picture (shooting film with a housed F5) of the two hovering tail to tail looking like mirror images.

Fuji S2 Pro/Ikelite housing/DS-125 strobe at f16 and 1/60 with 60mm lens. Zoomed in 16.7% and used autolevels in PS elements.

I wish I had the 105mm at the time.

Happy Diving,

John

Very nice shot! Where were you diving?

Jimbo,

The shot was taken at the Apataki Atoll, French Polynesia while on the Tahiti Aggressor May 17-24th. I'm still going through the pictures. It was the first and only time so far with the Fuji S2 Pro/Ikelite rig. I'm going to dive the Channel Islands (Southern CA) with it next week.

Thanks,

John

Really great shot! the picture conveys such stillness which is amazing when you consider how fast these guys zip about!!

I like it too. A very difficult subject - especially for the 60!

Cheers

James

The blue version of this fish is found at the deep end of the recreational dive limits but at Sipidan Island they exist at 70 feet. Another good reason to go there.

Craig,

Do you have a picture of the blue version? I would love to see it.

Thanks,

John

There are 3 kinds of darters in this genus that look pretty similar. The red, the purple, and the Helfrichi (extremely rare).

Cheers

James

I have it on video but not still. My last trip to Sipidan yielded only one dive to Sipidan Island itself and I had a fisheye on that dive. The purple ones are typically below 100 feet. Here's a frame grab. View the whole video here (choose track 5).

It's not a good representation of how pretty these are since its video and ambient light. This pair is found at the standard entry point of Barracuda Point at Sipidan Island (one the most common dives). You drop in, go straight down to 70 feet, hit a ledge and there they are.

These fish are found in pairs so if you're patient you'll get two together much like angels. I find the trick is keep the background uncluttered. Hard to at this location.

Craig,

Very cool. Thanks.

John