I received requests to post more photos of the fish kill. So here they are. If you are tired of seeing photos of dead fish, definitely ignore this post. But first a quick update: The latest Los Angeles Times article on the King Harbor Marina fish kill in Redondo Beach details that the sardines tested… [read more]
My first fish kill
This is a week of firsts, my first grunion run and now my first fish kill. The grunion didn’t show, but the dead fish sure did. I was supposed to be the naturalist for the whale watching trip on the Voyager this afternoon, but alas, it was canceled because not enough people purchased tickets. So… [read more]
My first grunion run
I almost forgot to write about my first grunion run! On Monday, March 7th, I ventured down to Cabrillo Aquarium for the first grunion run of the season, which was predicted to occur sometime between 10:25pm and 12:25pm. This time frame is based on when the highest tide of the night rolls in carrying grunion… [read more]
Thoughts on Redondo Beach fish kill
A mass die off of sardines at King Harbor Marina in Redondo Beach is making headlines across the country. But what happened? The answer seems to depend on who you talk to. Some news reports suggest that high winds blew the massive school of sardines into King Harbor. Several local marine biologists I’ve spoken to… [read more]
Fisher eaters check this out
I have good news for fish eaters. A reader let me know that she buys healthy and sustainable seafood from Vital Choice Wild Seafood & Organics. After checking out the website, I must say it does appear to be excellent. Vital Choice even has an endorsement from Dr. Andrew Weil, the famous supporter of integrative… [read more]
Eating fish, got mercury?
Recently, I discovered several great websites that I’ve been meaning to share. Today, I present a must use resource for fish eaters. Full disclosure, I actually don’t eat fish anymore for many reasons. In general I’m concerned about the future of our oceans and over-fishing, but what sealed the deal was getting really sick after… [read more]
Flatfish: masters of disguise
As promised, I present to you more on the flatfish as master of disguise! This is a photo of the English sole or Pleuronectes vetulus in the flatfish tank at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. I should clarify that I’m pretty sure this is the English sole after carefully studying all the fish in the tank and… [read more]
Flatfish are so cool
If you haven’t had the chance to meet a flatfish, it’s a must! They are masters of disguise, spend most of their lives living on their side and are quite gregarious, all of which makes for great entertainment. There are more than 500 species of flatfish in the world. The halibut is probably the most… [read more]
The garibaldi: OCD in the sea (part 2)
Here’s the second section of the Wild Things column on the garibaldi, one crazy fish! “The only thing that seems to affect their fearless behavior is the color of the animal that’s approaching them,” said Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (CMA) Research Curator Dr. Kiersten Darrow. “They will attack everybody else, but if they see that it’s… [read more]
The garibaldi: OCD in the sea (part 1)
Underwater photos of California’s coast featured in books and magazines almost always showcase a certain fish: the garibaldi. The brilliant orange coloring of the garibaldi is a must have in any underwater shot because this fish dazzles the eyes and brings California’s ocean landscape to life in the same way brightly colored coral reef fish… [read more]