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Sea Critter Sightings for March 2006

Started by Dive_Girl , Mar 06 2006 11:59 AM

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5 replies to this topic

#1 Dive_Girl

I need to get a life

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Posted 06 March 2006 - 11:59 AM

OK SD Divers! What did you see while out diving this month!!?? Unfortunately in my area of diving, Hood Canal, Washington, we had an average of 0-12 INCHES of visibility, so we didn't see much, but dive_addict did see something out of the ordinary! He saw a Spotted Ratfish in Hood Canal. Usually we have sightings of those in Puget Sound, but they are not typical to Hood Canal.

What: Spotted Ratfish
Size: 1-2' in length (possibly a male, as they often run smaller)
Location: Mike's Beach Resort, Hood Canal, Washington
Date: Friday, February 24th
Time: 11:00pm
Depth: 20fsw
Water Temp: 45 degrees
Visibility: 0-12 inches, surface 0-3 feet at depth

Ratfish are actually deep living fish. They are related to sharks and are considered the missing link between the bony and cartilainous fishes because they have the characteristics of both. Interstingly they have a long venemous spine in front of the dorsal fin.

They have smooth skin, large green eyes, a rabbitlike face and a mouth with plate-like grinding teeth. The tail is tiny and streamer-like, so for propulsion they flap their large, wing-like pectoral fins. Their pectoral fins almost appear translucent. They are defnitely an amazing looking critter to encounter.

Posted Image

It's Winter time - you know you're a diver when you're scraping ice off your windshield INSIDE your vehicle...!

Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.

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#2 WreckWench

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Posted 06 March 2006 - 02:00 PM

Oooh way cool! I'd love to see one of those when we hit the PNW in May!!!

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#3 Dive_Girl

I need to get a life

Member
5,513 posts

Location:Portland, OR/Vancouver, WA USA
Gender:Female
Cert Level:PADI Course Director, EFR Instructor Trainer, DAN DEMP Instructor, rec-Trimix & Normoxic
Logged Dives:too many logged, too many not logged...:)

Posted 06 March 2006 - 02:04 PM

Then plan on a night dive! We have a better shot of seeing them then and there are a few good sites for them not far from where the treasure hunt will be! :respect:

It's Winter time - you know you're a diver when you're scraping ice off your windshield INSIDE your vehicle...!

Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.

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#4 drbill

I spend too much time on line

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Posted 06 March 2006 - 05:46 PM

Cool sighting. I've collected ratfish for scientific purposes but have never actually seen one underwater.

Unfortunately I have nothing to report as a sighting for the first week of March... been sidelined by a cold but I'm almost over it! Will dive this weekend come hell (ah, warm water) or high water (tsunami?)!

Must have a sense of humor to view my web site!

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#5 Latitude Adjustment

I spend too much time on line

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Location:Work in and live near Lakehurst, NJ
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Posted 06 March 2006 - 08:56 PM

Well dispite the airlines best efforts I finally made it to Utila 3 days late but with my luggage. Got here this morning in time to catch two nice morning dives. After lunch we went out again but found a couple of whale sharks, a pod of bottlenose and another of spinners that put on a nice show so after snorkeling with them for two hours it was decided to end the day on a high note and go back for diner. :diver:

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