This isn't the first time I've seen these two together. This Cornetfish (related to the Trumpetfish and Seahorse) followed the turtle closely. It moved away when I dove down for a closer photo, then returned to the turtle's side when I surfaced. I wonder if they were out on a date?
Winter island style
2 years ago
Nice picture of interesting reef behavior.
ReplyDeleteThis behavior is called shadow-feeding. Trumpet fish do this often. In the bahamas they'll do this with grouper, parrot fish, hogfish, etc.
Another frequent example of shadow feeding you'll see: a small jack swimming on the shoulder of a sting ray. The jack is usually very black in color when it's shadowing the ray.
woops, as you said its a coronet fish, not a trumpet fish. I believe the behavior pattern is the same tho...although I haven't seen this...the coronet fish are ususally down on the bottom when I see them. I think they are quite prolific in the malau'aka area.
ReplyDeletewhat an adorable Odd Couple!
ReplyDelete