The below was sparked by a discussion in another thread (where we got WAY off topic) of a sighting of a rare eel in Culebra's waters:
I've found several species of fish diving Culebra that are not commonly seen other places and that are also described as rare in the area, including the Shy Hamlet and the Indigo Hamlet. We have also seen two Chain Morays in Culebra (one (don't tell the sheepish snorkelers) at Punta Soldado in about 6 feet of water). Interestingly enough (the Chain Moray being pretty rare - well not rare really but common to certain islands, rare others) after we saw one in Culebra in 2001, we saw 2 in Bonaire in 2002!
http://web.mac.com/debalew/iWeb/Scuba/Culebra%20June%202001_files/Chain_Moray_Dark.jpg
The Shy Hamlet spotting for me was one of those jaw dropping moments underwater yelling at Walter to look! look! what is it?? and him clapping at me. You know you've found something cool when Walti claps at you. Of course, my pictures stunk, but I'll post it here anyway. Since that first sighting, I've seen four others in Culebra's waters. Humann's book states "Occasional Cayman Islands and eastern Caribbean; uncommon Bay Islands (Honduras for you non-divers) and Jamaica; rare balance of Caribbean and Florida
http://web.mac.com/debalew/iWeb/Scuba/Culebra%20Nov%202002_files/shy_hamlet_2.jpg
here's a later one from 2006:
http://web.mac.com/debalew/iWeb/Scuba/Culebra%20Jan%202006_files/024_Shy_Hamlet.jpg
The Indigo Hamlet was also a great find, right on top of the reef at Carlos Rosario just hanging out. It's the only one I've ever seen there. Humann's book states "Common Cayman Islands, Jamaica and Bay Islands; occasional Belize and Bahamas; rare balance of Caribbean. Diving doesn't get much cooler than that!Attachment: 037_Indigo_Hamlet.jpg (Downloaded 32 times)
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