Happy holidays to all! Can you believe the water temp was 64 degrees the other day? I find myself hanging on to summer with full potential.
Local waters have been captivated with the presence of “blackfish”, with their many descendants. Kind of a strange name for such a beautifully blue colored damselfish. Another interesting fact of the blue fish is that the juveniles are a different color, orangish yellow.
This fish is present in waters from Monterey to Baja, California.
The scientific name for the blacksmith is “chromis punctipinnis.” This chromis is a peaceful fish, and not competitive for food. It is quite lovely to swim through a school of them as they love to hang out on the line, under kelp, on your way from the dive park to Descanso beach and back.
Blacksmith are plankton feeders. Predators include bald eagles, cormorants, and larger fish. Adult blacksmith are known to allow Senorita fish clean them. The blacksmith have also been seen cleaning other fish.
So come enjoy the blacksmith. Official morning swim time: 7 a.m., daily. And, do have yourself a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas! (can you hear Elvis?)
Sea you at the stairs …
Tina Kennedy has resided in Avalon for more than 40 years, and manages Catalina Divers Supply. She loves swimming, diving, snorkeling, and paddling in the island’s waters. Contact her at info@catalinadiverssupply.com.
