Zack's+Journal

=__**Journal Entry #1**__ = 61 Small, Teardrop Butterflyfish 19 Large, Bullethead Parrotfish 47 Orange Spine Unicornfish 4 Manybar Goatfish
 * Fish Count 1:**

Today the tide was average, wind soft and the sun remained behind overcast clouds at first, only to play peek-a-boo throughout the day. The water was warm when we first got in (11:00) and the wind only picked up as we packed up (1:30). There were various fish to observe and many of them were somewhat use to human contact. The water wasn't exactly clear today, but a lot of things were unveiled as the day moved on.Today we started with a general location of most of our specified fish and from there, began a estimated fish count. Near the end of the day, we looked for various predator-prey relationships, but the only thing that stood out to me was the Manybar Goatfish. This beach is very interesting to study because it not only contains **tons** of various fish species, but the different niches created by temperature, rock type and level of water is very interesting. I might go into niches later on.
 * Observations:**

[Photo taken by journalist has yet to be processed] Found in many different bunches, the Teardrop Butterflyfish was a small creature, about 5 inches long and fed upon the reef. It's signature mark is the teardrop black upon its back. It was a very shy creature and tended to constantly flee from me, despite its large numbers. Shaped like a mutated heart, the butterfly fish was one of the most commonly found fish in the area.
 * //Teardrop Butterflyfish//**

[Photo taken by journalist has yet to be processed] There were very few of these large fish, most likely do to territory and their size. The average size of Bullethead Parrotfish I found in the bay, were around 14 to 18 inches long and 1 to 4 inches wide. This creature was actually very brave, tending to swim by me when I stopped for a moment, or ignoring me as I swim past. This is probably due to its large bulk, giving the creature more protection, and its familiarity with humans. It also ate off the reef, tending to actually bite at the algae, versus nibbling as most of the other fish do.
 * //Bullethead Parrotfish//**

[Photo taken by journalist has yet to be processed] There were quite a few of these stylish fish, found in various depths all around. Though not exactly in groups, some of the Orange Spine Unicornfish I found were in a family, assuming the smaller Unicornfish surrounding the larger were actually their children. These were jittery and tended to keep their distance from me. As the others, it nibbles at the coral and is around 9 to 11 inches long.
 * //Orange Spine Unicornfish//**

[Photo taken by journalist has yet to be processed] The Manybar Goatfish was a very rare fish that I couldn't find too many of. In fact, the only ones I found were in the deeper side of bay. Around 11 - 15 inches in length, it tended to stick to the bottom of the reef and not swim around to much. They kept their distance from me, but if I came close slowly, they really didn't mind. Something I noticed, was the long whiskers on either side of the head. In fact, as I observed it, I noticed it used these whiskers to feel under rocks and in holes of the reef. While there, I didn't see the Goatfish nibble/bite the coral, and therefore I conclude that the goatfish seeks little crab and such with its whiskers and consumes them. Perhaps it's a predator?
 * //Manybar Goatfish//**

Source: Youtube (very blurry, but somewhat describes how they act) If you look closely, you can see the Manybar using its whiskers under the rocks.
 * Manybar Video**

Go here: Day 2** Want to skip to Journal 3?  Go here: Day 3 Want to view Journal 4? Go here: Day 4
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