Chinese trumpetfish [Aulostomus chinensis]

Description: Occurs in three basic color phases: uniformly brown to green, mottled brown to green, or uniformly yellow. First dorsal fin consists of a series of isolated spines, followed by a second dorsal fin consisting of rays. The second dorsal fin is shaped like the anal fin and is found directly above it. A black maxillary stripe usually present, but may be reduced; dorsal and anal fins light, but with a dark basal bar; caudal fin usually with two round black spots; a black spot at the base of each pelvic fin. Attains lengths up to 80cm.     Behavior: Found in clear, shallow water, in rocky and coral areas of protected and seaward reefs. Benthopelagic. Usually solitary.     Depth: 3-122m     Habitat: Reef-associated, tropical waters.     Diet: Feeds on small fish and shrimps. A slow-moving fish relying partly on stealth and camouflage to sneak up on unsuspecting prey. Often darts down vertically on its prey.     On Aliwal Shoal: Plentiful.     Other details: Often seen in the coelacanth caves in depths of 178-243m.

5 September 2009

Spring has arrived and during the first week we had warm and sunny days. It seemed that the August winds had departed our shores but today finds the wind blowing with purpose once again. Diving was cancelled for all charters but we're hoping as always that tomorrow brings some fair diving.

Some of you may have noticed that we have a Twitter ticker on the homepage. Feel free to join Twitter and keep up to date with our daily tweets and leave your own messages.

Our Facebook presence has been slim the last few months but Glenn will be taking up the reigns to stay in contact with all our friends.

Strangely it was noticed that we do not have a page dedicated specifically to our Tiger Shark Diving. The page has been added and you can find it here.

Apart from the occasional windy bouts the conditions on the reef have been really good as of late. Visibility has ranged from 12-20m with none- to very light current. The cold water seems to be warming up slightly. The cold water did have an unexpected surprise for us during the week though; SARDINES! A few fisherman went netting just north of Umkomaas and came back with full nets of sardines, so much so that in the end they just opened the nets for the public to help themselves.

Time is running out to do the Sharklife Raggie Specialty. This year past we strangely had Raggies the whole year long but these were females that seemed to inhabit Raggie Cave mostly with some sightings in Cathedral. If you want to encounter these sharks (male and female) up close you better grab your wetsuit and come join us for a dive!