Tropical Fish Rescue 2009

Well we finally, after 2 cancellations, had our tropical fish rescue in Jamestown. We almost cancelled a third time due to possible showers and predicted poor underwater visibility. However it was decided to go with it, and what a day it turned out to be. The early morning did have less than desirable visibilty and a few clouds around but by noon we were in the seventies with beautiful blue skies and the water conditions continued to improve all day long. We couldn't have asked for a better day. Everyone that came enjoyed some great food and the results of our sienning and divers collecting: 63 FISH CAUGHT FOR THE DAY-One of the best days I can ever remember. Caught and kept at Biomes (some for the NEAQ)

By the end of the day we had quite an impressive display in our aquarium:

• 38 Spotfin Butterfly fish-(many quite large)
• 1 Foureye Butterfly fish-(less and less common in past years
• 1 Bicolor Damselfish
• 1 Short Bigeye
• 12 Trunkfish (at least two different species, some with horns others not)
• 1 Permit
• 1 Sennet
• 6 Pipefish
• 2 Coronet Fish(these have very specific feeding needs which are nearly impossible to replicate, so they were released to grow bigger. They may yet die in thwe wild, but would definitely die in captivity--neither the NEAQ nor Biomes chose to accept them.

Caught and used for our touch tank (native species were later released):

• several crabs of various species
• several large FEMALE sea stars carrying egg masses along their legs

Caught and donated to Biomes Natives for their touch tank:

• 5 Sea Urchins
• 1 Blood Star

There will be more info and educational information coming out about tropicals we see in New England Next year we are scheduled for Sunday August 29th, 2010. Thank You to all that helped make this year such a success

-Al Bozza, Program Director

Photo by Jim Carozza	Photo by Jim Carozza	Photo by Jim Carozza	Photo by Jim Carozza	Photo by Jim Carozza
Photo by Jim Carozza	Photo by Jim Carozza	Photo by Jim Carozza	Photo by Jim Carozza	Photo by Jim Carozza
Photo by Jim Carozza	Photo by Jim Carozza	Photo by Jim Carozza	Photo by Jim Carozza	Photo by Jim Carozza
Photo by T. Benoit