Striated frogfish spawning @ Blue Heron Bridge

[seagrant 4]

Just got out of the water at Blue Heron Bridge & I witnessed something I remember Ellen Mueller saying to me, "you should get the striated frogfish spawning!" I thought, oh, yea right... :-0

 

I did get a couple of pics (thank goodness I didn't put the 105 & TC on today!)

But it all happened so fast......!!! Then I got lost as I drifted off in the current photographing the very large floating egg mass raft.

 

I will run some pics by Ellen and or Scott Michael to make sure my data is correct, then post. I sure could have used a wider lens than the 60 on the d300! Carol

[seagrant 4]

After thinking my pics weren't that good (I wanted an artistic shot of the striated frogfish threesome rising in the water column) but the pics I got might even be better. You can clearly see female striated frogfish releasing raft and smaller, lighter patterened striated male frogfish opening vent & releasing sperm, mixing with hers. Again I want all facts confirmed so it will be a few days till I get feedback. I can only suppose that the black striated frogfish other male was positioned on the wrong side of the female or was just too slow?

 

Lots more later, including blow by blow observations of this very rarely witnessed event! Best Carol

PS I'm exhausted, there was a lot of excitement with that dive and all the commotion-having trouble sleeping!!!

[loftus 42]

Hey Carol,

Cool stuff. Now why don't you post at least a couple of teasers? Some of us don't believe you.

Edited June 4, 2009 by loftus

[crubie 1]

After thinking my pics weren't that good (I wanted an artistic shot of the striated frogfish threesome rising in the water column) but the pics I got might even be better. You can clearly see female striated frogfish releasing raft and smaller, lighter patterened striated male frogfish opening vent & releasing sperm, mixing with hers. Again I want all facts confirmed so it will be a few days till I get feedback. I can only suppose that the black striated frogfish other male was positioned on the wrong side of the female or was just too slow?

 

Lots more later, including blow by blow observations of this very rarely witnessed event! Best Carol

PS I'm exhausted, there was a lot of excitement with that dive and all the commotion-having trouble sleeping!!!

 

Looking forward to seeing the pictures !

[seagrant 4]

Hey Carol,

Cool stuff. Now why don't you post at least a couple of teasers? Some of us don't believe you.

 

I will try Jeff, but someone who is obsessed with frogfish wants the pics; I have to see what I can post right away and what I can't. Also my girlfriend on the East Coast here refuses to get Internet which makes me have to take long treks to Barnes and Noble & Panera which I don't always have time for.

 

Ellen Muller and several people saw them, as said one person wanted them right away. I think they will go to the highest bidder :-0

 

It did happen if you read my Twitter updates, also the frogfish gods smiled on Ellen as she happened upon longlure spawning yet again on Fri night!!!

 

I think what is most interesting about one of my pics is it possibly shows male testicles-I have to brush up on my frogfish anatomy....

 

It was WILD, I am lucky I got any pics, that's how wild it was!

 

I will be home in a couple of days and report more

 

IPhone, is getting old.... Carol