Silver/Red Bigeye

Photo Copyright 2014 by Barry Fackler

Quick Change Artist

Photo Copyright 2012 by Barry Fackler

I snapped these two photos of a Common Bigeye (Heteropriacanthus cruentatus) literally just seconds apart. That was all the time it took for the fish to change from its blotchy red and silver resting color to its blood-red active color. The Hawaiian name for this fish is Aweoweo which translates to "glowing red". It is most active at night and is a popular food fish.

Photo Copyright 2012 by Barry Fackler

Prince Kuhio Day - Dive Report for Friday March 26, 2010

Today is Prince Jonah Kuhio Day, a state holiday in Hawai'i and yours truly had the day off which was spent wisely at the beach.

Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler

On the first dive I found this Common Bigeye sheltered under a ledge. Note the silvery sheen on its dorsal surface. These fish always stay tucked away during the daylight hours.

Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler

I always have a difficult time getting close enough to Bluespine Unicornfish to get good photos. They tend to swim off when you begin to draw close. These are very aptly named fish with a prominent horn projecting forward from between the eyes. They are a beautiful light blue color.

Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler

The photos above are of an Orangespine Unicornfish. Despite the name, these fish don't have a horn on their heads. Go figure! What they do have is an ornately decorated face that reminds me of a tribal mask. Like other unicornfish, it's hard for me to get close enough for a good shot.

Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler

Undulated Morays, like this one, are sometimes aggressive. This one was pretty shy, keeping tucked in its coral haven and foiling any attempt to get a clear shot.

Photos Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler

I'm still seeing a lot of octopus and a respected divemaster has told me that this is their mating season (the octopi's, not the divemasters').  Anyway, I've tried to cut back on octophotos but this one was just to cooperative. I was particularly pleased with the one where it blanched mostly white.

Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler

A try at an artistic shot with a sunny background. The fish is a Threadfin Butterflyfish.

Photos Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler

The turtles are all doing well today. The one in the top photo is getting a good cleaning by a gaggle of tangs.

Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler

Saddleback Butterflyfish are beautifully colored and are one of my wife's favorites. They usually travel in pairs but this one was going solo.

Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler

Ornate Butterflyfish cue up at a cleaning station awaiting their appointments with a Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse.

Photo Copyright 2010 by Barry Fackler

On the second dive I saw yet another Day Octopus. I limited myself to this one photo. It was a nice day of diving. My only complaint is that the water is getting colder instead of warmer. Hopefully that will change soon.

Dive Report for Sunday 12/13/2009

photo Copyright 2009 by Barry Fackler

Perfect conditions above and below the surface on this fine Sunday morning. Despite ginormous surf on some of the other Hawaiian islands, there was hardly a ripple at Honaunau Bay. Visibility was easily 100' and the surface was glassy. Today was not to be a day of major sightings with no dolphins, rays or sharks to be found. Just beautiful conditions and colorful tropical fish frolicking in the water.

photo Copyright 2009 by Barry Fackler

On the first dive I went to 81' and headed south. After a little while , I came up to the reef top and explored inside a small cave where I found this Common Bigeye (aweoweo in Hawaiian). These dark red fish are nocturnal and seek shelter in caves or under ledges during the day. This fish is identical to the Hawaiian Bigeye except its tail fin is convex, where the Hawaiian Bigeye's is concave.

 photo Copyright 2009 by Barry Fackler

On the first dive I also saw a couple of honu. One was sleeping under a ledge but the other one was cruising along just under the surface. This gave me the opportunity to get a couple turtle "belly shots". These are always fun because, when the surface is calm, it looks like the turtle is flying through the air.

photo Copyright 2009 by Barry Fackler

On the second dive I went to 55' where I came across this pack of juvenile Blue Goatfish. Most goatfish probe the bottom with their barbels which they use to locate the invertebrates they feed on. Blue Goatfish, however, prey on small fish and use their barbels to flush prey from crevices in the coral. They usually hunt in small, loose schools like this, often in the company of other predators hoping to seize a fish that the goats flushed out.

photo Copyright 2009 by Barry Fackler

Our little colony of Pyramid Butterflyfish remains intact and as happy as butterflyfish can be!

photo Copyright 2009 by Barry Fackler

There were several schools of young Black Durgon on the reef today as well. The younger individuals have fine blue lines on the body and a green blush to the face. As they mature they become more uniformly black except for the bluish-white lines along the dorsal and anal fins.

Ringtail Wrasses, like this one, usually hover in midwater waiting to strike at potential prey. They have impressive canine teeth that often protrude from the mouth. This one was acting peculiarly, lying on the bottom and tucked in among the coral. When I drew closer to investigate, it rocketed out of its shelter and swam off.

It was a really nice day of diving with the reef providing a good showing of its bright and beautiful residents.