Category: Observing the Reef

A video of a rare deep water fish that needs help. Back in late May, I found myself trying to rescue two rare 8-foot, deep-water Oarfish from multiple beachings. I was all alone with no one to assist me. So out of desperation, I swim one out to sea. This is the story of that remarkable day. I still cry when I watch the video. This is the first time, I’ve woven a music score into one of my videos. So be prepared for a different experience with this one. Hope you like it.

Moon Jellyfish have invaded Ventana Bay. Luckily their stings usually aren’t serious and their tentacles are short so you can swim around them without being stung.

Here’s a newer fish video: Snorkeling in Baja. There are many fish vids on my Youtube channel, Observing Baja Coral Reef Fish, Ventana Bay that I have not shared with the Ventana View. I have been documenting life around the reefs of El Sargento, identifying well over a 100 species of fish since Nov. 2017. There still exists tremendous diversity around the reefs. However, the adult fish are scarce, and the sharks along the reefs right by El Sargento, I have never seen one in over 500 snorkels. I understand there is a La Ventana dive shop owner who is working with the local shark fisherman to take tourists to see the sharks out toward Punta Arena.

So if fewer sharks are taken and a tourism industry grows around seeing the sharks, maybe they will return to the reefs where I swim? Let’s hope so. They are an important part of the ecology, as are the sardines, which haven’t returned to the shore where I filmed them last year in one of the largest returns in 25 years. In case you missed it: The Return of the Sardines. It was a magnificent thing to witness, and the video is really a tribute to “life rebounding.”

The footage I share linked below is from between Muertos Bay and Punta Arena. Hope you like it. William

This video shows a symbiotic relationship between Barberfish and Mexican Goatfish. Local resident and Naturalist, Mary Sim pointed this relationship out four years ago, and minutes later I started trying to capture it on video. After hours and hours of footage hitting the cutting room floor, I finally pulled together a few clips to share. This footage was shot at a place I’ve named, “The Barbershop.” Barberfish come there to pick parasites and the Mexican Goatfish will position themselves vertically, communicating a need for parasite cleaning services. 

Triggerfish are an interesting fish. I love the way they swim, and nap right on the sea floor in the middle of the day. They are a popular eating fish, often referred to as “Chochito.” Fish populations fluctuate, right now where I snorkel, adult triggerfish are rare to see. It is my hope this population rebounds soon! Here’s some bonus triggerfish footage to go along with the longer triggerfish video.

I observed and photographed a Male Mexican Hogfish over a 30-month period. This six minute video provides a tiny keyhole view of normal moments in the life of a Mexican Hogfish, living in Ventana Bay. For those that enjoy photography, I wanted you to know that I donated 45 photographs on display at Sara Vargas’s wonderful Art studio in Plaza del Teso. The proceeds to be split 50/50 between Sara’s Studio and Azul Cerralvo, a local foundation that helps famlies in need. Each photo is unique to my project started in the fall of 2017 called, Observing Baja Coral Reef Fish – using photography to observe and learn about sea life. Drop by Sara’s studio to see the photos. Her studio is located in Plaza Del Teso next to Kjote Coffee Shop.

A Fanged Panama Blenny eats algae and phytoplankton and are reef dwellers that have fangs for defensive purposes. It can inject an opiod like chemical that lowers the blood pressure by 40% of the predator pursuing them, likely subduing it enough for the Blenny to swim off. Here’s an article if you’d like to read more about this interesting adaptation. 

This fish has an unusual defense against predators. I became curious about it, so I set out to document this. My initial goal was to be able to end up with a decent still photo so I can ID the fish, and examine its physical construction. If I can capture it on video, then I can observe it’s behavior and watch how it physically propels itself through the water. Note: I have not seen any Blue Razorfish lately when I snorkel in Ventana Bay. So if you see one, you’re a lucky snorkeler. Please, let me know if you do! (Be sure to watch this video in HD to really appreciate the detail)

Sergeant Majors are one of the more reproductively active fish in Ventana Bay, reproducing consistently for most of the year. They excavate down to uncover large smooth boulders to lay their eggs on. Their nests are easy to spot when you are snorkeling because multiple nests can be found in clusters of around 5-9 nests, and also, there’s a lot of activity to witness. The male protects the nest by darting around, chasing predator fish away from the nest. With this activity and that of the pair reproducing in a way that looks like a dance, you can’t miss them if you are snokeling in the bay.

Finespotted Jawfish excavate a tunnel down into the sand. They back their tail and trunk into the hole and most often can be scene with their head visible within the opening of the tunnel. As you swim over, the fish will track you with their eyes, and you can sometimes see the head turn to follow you as you cross over their path. Watch!