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a yellow trumpetfish sidle a coral trout so as to ambush its prey
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date: 16/6/2009
Author:Nick Brennan
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Weather: Sunshine
Air Temp: 2C
Wind: SW/S 10-15 knots
Water Temp: 22C
Water Visibility: 20 m
Sea State: Calm
It was another beautiful day of sunshine as the great winter weather continues here at Lady Elliot Island.
The glass bottom boat enjoyed pleasant conditions around at the coral gardens where the visibility was superb. Guests watched a yellow trumpetfish sidle a coral trout so as to ambush its prey. This creature has an elongated body shape with a long pipette like mouth. Just before it launches its attack it actually changes colour rapidly before sucking the unsuspecting fish up! Amazing!
Project Manta did a plankton analysis yesterday and found the water to be plankton soup. Judging by the amount of plankton feeding fish in the water today it’s hard to believe it would be anything different. The water was chock full of blue-green chromis and fusiliers which always makes the reef feel like it is bursting at the seams with life. Another interesting piece of behaviour that was observed was the cleaner wrasse. It was obviously stationed right under the glass firstly advertising its services and then cleaning the moses perch and parrotfish that were swimming past. It was a great display and good example of a symbiotic relationship on the reef.
The dive was sensational as it has been the past few days. It is becoming a common thing for divers to see 60+ Manta Rays every dive at the moment it is absolutely ridiculous. The Eastern side was once again open due to the nice conditions and several big sharks as well as a leopard stingray were some of the highlights out there.
After dinner David Ireland took some guests out on a short tour to see the spotted quole. This terrifying creature has been seen around Noddy’s lane lately and lunged out at guests before disappearing back into the bush. Everybody was quite scared until they realized what a practical joker David can be and that it was all just an elaborate hoax.
At 7:30 Nick gave a presentation on the Dangerous Marine Creatures of Lady Elliot Island. The audience was fantastic and there were some lengthy discussions about experiences with some of the creatures. It was a great evening with everybody walking away feeling very positive about the amazing environment that surrounds us.
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Trumpet fish and coral trout- Jess Howard
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