Today was a lovely day to have a swim. The weather was perfect with light winds and the sea was warm. Visibility was also fantastic, which was a bit of surprise, after the very strong winds over Christmas. The highlight was a Painted Dragonet at Black Rock.
So often these exquisite fish are smaller and camouflaged with plain colouring. Certain times of the year (I have not worked out yet) the males get their full regalia. If you’re familiar with Mandarinfish in Southeast Asia, these are the same family. Apparently when they spawn, our species also does a dance in the water column. I haven’t been lucky enough to see it yet but possibly it occurs around full or new moons. Which would make the new year a time to look out … but you have to be out at dusk. It only happens for a short time in the evening.
When it does, these fish extend their fins showing those amazing turquoise, purple and yellow patches on their dragon wings.
