Favorite Fish to See?

[Pressurehead]

, but spearing on SCUBA isn't legal in Cyprus.

Same here, just as well, just the thought of some divers with a speargun is scary.

 

[MB NZ]

Same here, just as well, just the thought of some divers with a speargun is scary.

Not illegal here in NZ, but I think you'd be asking for trouble with sharks if you started shooting pelagics or bigger fish. For lionfish, a pole spear would be adequate.

Another fascinating fact. Only 9 species of fish protected in NZ, 7 of those species are sharks/rays, the remaining two are grouper species which we rarely see anyway.

 

[Tassi Devil Diver]

I was stoked to spot this fish a redstrip bigeye at 100m on a recent dive trip to Bali.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I have only seen pictures and not the fish in the wild, but the Cardinal Soldierfish has such an expressive face.

 

[Green Frog]

Slightly off topic, the invasive nature of Lionfish has inspired some folks to try to develop a set of good recipes for them to serve in upscale restaurants. Nothing will decimate a fish population more quickly than commercial demand! They have gotten pretty numerous in some parts for the Bahamas in spite of some effort to “control” them. I don’t think they well ever be as popular on the table as some of the more “traditional” food fish like Grouper, Mahi, Wahoo, etc.

 

[waves_221]

Longsnout butterflyfish
Sargassum triggerfish
Flying gurnard

 

[rmorgan]

Juvenile drums are a very close second--almost a tie--but my favorite, so far, is the juvenile trunkfish, which at the size of a large marble carries enough toxin to kill a decent-sized shark. Not a good picture, I'm afraid--they aren't called "bumblebees" for nothing. Bonaire, September 2021 - Rick Morgan

 

[hedonist222]

feeding mackerel

(photo credit: Terry Steeley)

 

[Green Frog]

I just love to watch these little guys swim around!

 

[Green Frog]

Angel Fish... close to Heaven on Earth!