Second day in the Cayman Islands is a success! Started off fairly well rested after the busy first day, heading off straight out to the first dives for the week after breakfast. These were my first dives in the ocean and they were amazing! The water was very clear and the fish were extremely plentiful. Some of the fish that I saw were blue tang, sergeant major, queen angelfish, French grunt, and foureye butterfly fish. Among these were plenty of other fish that I did not recognize immediately due to their sheer amount and variety.
The most exciting thing that I saw was a lionfish swimming underneath some coral. Our divemaster pointed it out and I shocked that I did not see it sooner! I thought I would notice it due to its bright colors and large, thin fins. These rays and colors provide a warning to other predators, signifying that it should not he eaten. If something attempts to eat them, its large tendrils are very venomous and will hurt anything that touches it. These evolutionary traits make lionfish a predator of sorts, as they are able to aggressively eat other fish while maintaining self safety from other fish.
This aspect of the lionfish is what labels it as an invasive species. It was likely introduced in the 1990s after a hurricane destroyed part of an aquarium. The introduction of the lionfish into the ocean has caused problems within the ecosystem which may become more prominent in the future. They multiply very quickly and thrive in the ocean, leading them to prey on other species more. This leads to food chain issues and will threaten the existence of certain species within the ocean, making it a particularly dangerous invasive species. Nonetheless, it was super cool to see one up close!
I am looking forward to tomorrow’s dives and the turtle sanctuary!
