Marine Species Guide
much rarer malabar rock cod (Epinephelus Malabaricus). They are brown and grey in colour, with a spotted face and vertical bars in darker shades running down from behind the dorsal fin. Because it is so big we identified it twice on 5-Mile as a juvenile brindle. But the dead giveaway are the five vertical bars, not always distinct, but still there. Fiercely territorial, very shy, hard to photograph and probably nocturnal, we have only seen it twice at Sodwana, although it is listed as a common species. It too changes sex when ready to breed, but there does not seem to be any record of a colour change to match the sex-change. It hides under ledges
and in caves, where it preys on octopus, lobsters or crayfish and small fish. It grows to about 1,2m, so the one we saw at 5-Mile must
have been fully mature and ready to breed. Much more spectacular
is the marbled coral grouper (Plectropomus Punctatus). Normally hiding out under coral overhangs, there were two on Anton’s the other day, and they were clearly interested in the dive group, following us inquisitively for quite a long way and hanging just below fin level. They are nocturnal hunters so are not often seen during the day when they lurk in caves and under ledges. They too start life as females, turning into males as they mature. They blush almost white with excitement when chasing prey, and then once the hunt is over they settle down to their richer colours of pale orange/brown and gold and blue or purple edges on their fins. Preying on small reef fish and crustaceans, they grow to a maximum of 1,1m.
Photographs of the most common of the species found when scuba diving or snorkelling are included and the fi sh families are categorised for easy reference.
Email your answer to
info@divestyle.co.za
This book can be used by scuba divers and snorkellers as a quick reference guide to help them identify and learn the fi sh species that they will encounter underwater. The book covers all of the marine species found on the coral reefs around the world.
Illustrations of fi sh families simplify identifi cation underwater, while general behaviour of the family and interesting facts are listed. This information includes the common family names, biological family names, aliases, size, identifi cation, general information, feeding preferences and where the families occur around the globe.
Johan Boshoff • Annatjie Rademeyer
A quick reference guide to the marine species found on coral reefs around the world
Last issue’s winner
Congratulations to Gerbrand Fourie for correctly identifying the ocean creature in the last issue as a hawkfish.
Advanced Buoyancy Course
Do you like diving but don’t feel fully in control? Do you use more than 30 bar just to descend? Perhaps you’re even an Advanced Diver?
Go back to basics and Learn to “Fly” underwater with Divetek’s ABC to diving.....
Our Popular Advanced Buoyancy Course, will change the way you dive.....
Place: Indoor Heated Pool in Douglasdale Time: 18:00 - 20:30 Date: Most Thursday Evenings
What to Bring: Lightweight Wetsuit and Full Gear (Scuba Gear can be arranged for those who are sadly deprived) BOOKING ESSENTIAL
Unit 9 370 Kruger Road Strijdom Park, Randburg
Tel: 011 791 1095
training@divetek.co.za www.divetek.co.za
Identify this ocean creature and you can win a Marine Species Guide book. Visit
www.marineguide.co.za for product information.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100