The Glasseye Snapper; Grumpy Loner of the Reef

The Glasseye Snapper (Heteropriacantus cruentatus) is not a true snapper at all. Most snapper fit into the genus Lujantus with a few exceptions, but all these fish have the same general body shape, habits and behavior. The Glasseye Snapper, on the other hand, looks and behaves much more like a squirrel or soldierfish, or the even more elusive Bigeye (Priacantus arentus), which it certainly looks a great deal like but is also not related to in any way. Fish that look similar and occupy the same habitats are, more often than not, not related by genus and/or species but have developed under concurrent or parallel evolution; developing many of the same characteristics over the millennia, as they have filled the same niche.

The Glasseye is a largely noctural fish and so its body is red and its eyes are large. It is very hard to see red in low light. It is the first color to disappear at depth – in fact, it disappears within the first fifteen feet. This makes the Glasseye’s job of being cryptic, whether hunting or hiding, much easier. Obviously, the bigger the eye the easier to see others in the dark. Often, as you are swimming along on your dive you will happen upon a Glasseye tucked under a coral head or behind a sponge looking rather grumpy with an underslung jaw, always alone and seeming to prefer it that way. The other “red, big-eyed fish” (Squirrel & Soldierfish) will sometimes be alone and sometimes be in small polarized schools, but our Glasseye is a true loner.

As mentioned, the Glasseye Snapper is much more commonly seen than the very similar Bigeye and can be distinguished from it by wavy, broken-up, and sometimes very faint, silvery, body bars that the Bigeye will never have. The Glasseye also has a shorter body and prefers shallower water and is therefore more frequently seen by divers. During the day, the Glasseye will be found peering out at you from a safe distance cautious but curious, and always looking grumpy.

The Glasseye is a great fish for the beginning underwater photographer, as they are always stationary and looking right at you. Shots one and two show the right and left lateral views of two different fish, showing just how much bounce you can get from your strobes (even at a low setting) due to the unusually reflective quality of the fish’s scales. The third shot in three quarter view with the fish’s body running from bottom left to top right and the eye framed by the rope sponge is, in my opinion, a superior shot for its composition and the story it tells. Always keep your eye pealed for the different or atypical shot. Knowing as much as you can about an animal’s behavior, habits and habitat will alert you to when you’re seeing something unusual can make the difference between a good shot and a great shot. And the next time you swim by a Glasseye Snapper on your favorite Caribbean coral reef, wave “hello” or snap a shot. He may look grumpy but I’m sure, deep down, he’ll appreciate the gesture.

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By: Jonathan Lavan

Jonathan Lavan: The owner/operator of Underpressure Diving & Nature Photography is a citizen scientist and wildlife expert and has been SCUBA Diving for thirty years and taking photographs both above and below the water for about 10. He was pleased to have been made Volunteer of the Year for 2012 by the Reef Environmental Education Foundation. As a SCUBA Diver he has been a photographer, teacher and research associate for many different organizations.He is a staunch environmentalist and educator of young people. Jonathan is committed to making a difference on this planet through his images and his message of good will to all creatures. www.underpressurephotog.com.

The post Caribbean Creature Feature: The Glasseye Snapper first appeared on In Focus Underwater Photography Blog.

So Slender you Might Miss Them!

Filefish are a regular feature of the Caribbean coral reef. Seen most often are the Whitespotted Filefish, the Orangespotted Filefish and the always fantastic, alien-looking Scrawled Filefish. One present on most dives, but seldom seen unless you know where to look is the Slender Filefish (Monacanthus tuckeri). All Filefish have an elongated, laterally compressed body, a proportionally very small mouth and a largish often broom-like tail. Their common name is taken from the texture of their skin, which was once used by fisherman and other tradesmen as sandpaper. Unlike their cousins, the triggerfish, they cannot lock their dorsal spine in place to prevent being removed from their hiding place in the reef.

Slender Filefish are the smallest of the Caribbean filefish, usually 2 to 31/2 in. with a maximum size of 4 in. An interesting feature of many filefish, but particularly the Slender Filefish, is the large dewlap (extendible belly appendage). This feature is used to appear larger to predators but also by males to attract females. Slenders can be found anywhere from 10- 60 ft. of depth. Since they are so small and their markings provide such great camouflage you really need to know where to look to find them. Slender Filefish are most often found floating nose down among gorgonians; specifically the soft coral gorgonian Plexaurella nutans, commonly known as the Giant Slit-pore Sea Rod, and Gorgonia ventalina, the Common Sea Fan. Both of these gorgonians like plenty of sunlight so are usually found in fairly shallow water, hence the depth range of the Slender Filefish. I have also found them among sea fans on top of well-lit shipwrecks.

Slender Filefish near a sea fan, taken with underwater strobes.

Finding Slender Filefish

As you are making your way to shallower water toward the end of the dive, start looking around for the gorgonians described above. Once you have located one, slowly and carefully look in and around its branches. Often there will be more than one Slender Filefish there for your photo documentation. They tend to be very shy and wary so make an effort to be as unobtrusive as possible, using expert buoyancy control and breathing as quietly as possible. Try to anticipate their next move so you can meet them on the other side of the gorgonian to get the best angle possible. It is great fun to watch them zooming around like bumble bees and curiously peeking out at you to see if the coast is clear.

Since there are fewer species in the Caribbean and therefore fewer macro opportunities you will find it pays to know what you’re looking for and where to look for it. An educated underwater photographer is a successful underwater photographer. Whether you are scuba diving Bonaire at Buddy Dive Resort, or on a dive liveaboard in Turks & Caicos, keep an eye out here for future Caribbean Creature Features; next time Flamingo Tongues!

A Slender Filefish swims near a sea fan and yellow tube sponge.

By: Jonathan Lavan

Jonathan Lavan: The owner/operator of Underpressure Diving & Nature Photography is a citizen scientist and wildlife expert and has been SCUBA Diving for thirty years and taking photographs both above and below the water for about 10. He was pleased to have been made Volunteer of the Year for 2012 by the Reef Environmental Education Foundation. As a SCUBA Diver he has been a photographer, teacher and research associate for many different organizations.He is a staunch environmentalist and educator of young people. Jonathan is committed to making a difference on this planet through his images and his message of good will to all creatures. www.underpressurephotog.com.

The post Caribbean Creature Feature: The Slender Filefish first appeared on In Focus Underwater Photography Blog.