The underwater world is not all the cartoon that Spongebob makes it out to be...have a look: (enlarge for best viewing)
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| Long-Spined Urchin Effect on divers: Spines easily puncture the skin and break off in the flesh causing a painful wound. The embedded spines give off a purple dye, causing a slight discoloration under the skin. Treat are for infection; embedded spines will dissolve within a few days. Victim with numerous wounds may need treatment for shock. These mothers hurt!!! |
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| We believe we have identified this as a Goldentail Moray Eel. They are extremely hard to photograph well due to the fact they are usually hiding in crevices of the reef. Patience and a steady hand is the best way to be rewarded with a photo. Usually requires many shots to get some thing decent. |
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| These eels are not normally aggressive but do have teeth and a fairly strong bite. You can lose a finger if you approach too close and they choose to not retreat into the reef. |
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| Just hanging out |
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| Now the Green Moray Eel looks little more menacing here. This one actually was about 4 feet long and swam straight for my wife! Freaked her out a bit I might say. A customer of hers is missing a finger from when he foolishly reached out to touch one. They bite and do not let go! |
