Long-Snouted Boarfish

This shot was taken this morning during a dive at the 23 Metre Ledge, about 4 kilometers NW of Mindarie Marina. The fish was under a ledge but quite happy for me to get several shots. It was around 60cm long and is the largest of this species that I've seen. This was the first outing for my latest underwater camera - A Canon G12.

Western King Wrasse

This shot was taken recently on The Strip - a long reef system off the coast at Mindarie Marina in the northern Perth suburbs. The Strip is a good dive site because the top of the reef is at eighteen metre deep then then is a seven metre drop to the sandy bottom. This gives a perfect vertical seven metre wall to explore!! The reef stretches for several kilometres and there are lots of interesting sites along its length. The Western King Wrasse is seen on most dives around here and they are relatively timid, hiding in the weed on the top of the reef. This one very kindly posed for me.

Truncate Coralfish

The Truncate Coralfish is abundant on the reefs around Perth - but it's quite interesting to find that they often swim upside down when in caves or as here under a ledge.

Red-Lipped Morwong

This shot was taken on Three Mile Reef off the coast of Perth near Hillarys Marina. The Red-Lipped Morwong is commonly found under ledges and they are around 60 - 75 centimetres long. They are very docile and hardly move when confronted by divers.

Common Bullseye

The Common Bullseye is, as its name suggests, extremely common on the offshore reefs around Perth. They normally congregate in large shoals and just hang in the water together in caves and hollows in the reefs. They lazily move when a diver approaches and reform behind when the way is clear - they never seem topanic or hurry!! This one was on its own and allowed me to get a close-up shot.

Rock Flathead

This shot was taken locally in some deeper water near Three Mile Reef off Hillarys Marina in Perth. The Flathead often lies like this, camouflages in the sand awaiting its prey. The dorsal spines on this fish are poisonous, but they are an excellent table fish.

Western Wobbegong Shark

 

This shot shows the more dangerous end of a Western Wobbegong Shark while it is sitting, nicely hidden under an overhanging reef. The growths around the mouth are used to entice fish to come close enough to be taken for food. The Wobbegong can be dangerous if molested, their teeth being needle shaped and they tend to hang on when they bite. They are also very supple and can bite a hand which is holding their tail - although I don't know why you would try!!