We're Back ... And So Are the Trumpetfish

 Juvenile Bluefin Trevally Caranx melampygus  Kailua Koan

   Three days ago, Sandra and I returned from two months in the Pacific Northwest.  The climate was cool and dry (relative to Kona, which if you are not living here this July is most assuredly hot and stultifyingly humid).  Back in the PNW there were few fish to be watched, so we were eager to renew our acquaintance with our fishy friends here in Hawaii.

    Yesterday we made our way down to the pier, which was fenced off, having  just received a fresh coat of asphalt.   Hitting the water. we were delighted to cool off, but we were also anticipating some interesting fish watching.  Summer is the time for juveniles, especially the handsome Hawaiian Hogfish.  Who knew what we might find?

    Almost immediately we saw  a few very small jacks.  Overall they had a slight bronzy sheen with delicate white barring.  As you can see, the pectoral fin

A second look at the immature Bluefin Trevally

was yellow, while all the other fins were black.  There was a small orange spot at the base of the anal fin. Due to the fine barring on the side, I had thought they might be Barred Jack immatures (Casrangoides ferdau).  As it turns out, the juvenile Barred Jack has extremely strong barring, such that at first glance you might mistake it for something else, like a poisonous puffer...pretty good strategy.

  That renowned scientist, Dr. Google, suggests that these beauties were almost certainly the extreme immature of the Bluefin Trevally,  Caranx melampygus.  This isn't surprising, as this species is far more common in our waters than barred jack.  Soon these guys will become deeper bodied, lighter and sport handsome blue fins.  It was quite a treat to see them at this early stage.  With luck,  Dr. Google will post our picture, which shows the Bluefin Trevally at an earlier stage than he currently displays. 

Trumpetfish, A. chinensis  Kailua kona  July 2014

    As soon as we left the baby jacks, we began encountering a host of baby Trumpetfish.  You may recall four months ago, when in the biggest faux pas of my fish watching career, I heralded the decline of this quintessential Hawaiian species.  It can now be revealed that during  that two week period, all the adults were getting busy in the Herb Alpert suite of the Louis Armstrong Hotel.  The results of this amor were everywhere to be seen!  A couple immature trumpets is not unusual, but judging from today's observations, the species is in good hands for at least another year.

   Out by the second swim buoy I found three or four Flea Cone shells (Conus pulicarius) 

Flea Cone  Conus pulicarius  Kailua Kona 2014

perched incongruously on top of the coral.  It will come as no surprise to you that these shells were harboring  small hermit crabs.  Try as I might, I was unable to get a good look at the crab;  a couple furtive appearances of light colored legs was all we got for our near drowning experience.  Over the years I have found several instances where an unusual shell appears out of expected habitat in unusual numbers, all occupied by a single species of hermit.  By and large, cone shell snails live burrowed in the sand where they feed on worms.  When you see a cone shell (or almost any shell for that matter) sitting on top of the coral, it's highly likely that a hermit crab has carried it there.  With out certain knowledge, I have always assumed that this has to do with reproduction. Why else would an animal place himself in such a dangerous position? 

A treat for a good paddle doggy

   At this point, we can leave science behind.   The outing was completed with the requisite lady on the paddle board with her pooch (Good doggy!)  And a delightful in shore look at Mr, Scribble.  All is well in Kailua Bay.  And we're back! 

Mr Scribble says, "E Komo Mai, Sandra!"