SCUBA June 2021 Issue 115 | Page 26

Each month we feature a selection of your letters

Each month we feature a selection of your letters

We ’ re still looking for a new prize for a Star Letter , so please bear with us for a while longer . It ’ s a difficult time for the diving industry , so sponsorships are a tricky proposition at the moment .

ChatSend your letters to simon @ scubamagazine . co . uk

Now you see me ...

WHEN I STARTED DIVING ABROAD IT WAS ALL NEW TERRITORY TO ME . Before each dive I was told : “ Watch out for the stonefish ; beware of the scorpionfish .” Even when the guide pointed them out , it was hard to see them .
Almost undetectable as I floated ever closer , I became aware of an eye moving . Under closer examination I saw a jaw line , then the outline of a body as it slightly shifted . The colour was only exposed by a camera flash .
This isn ’ t science fiction – its better ! The camouflage gives its user the power of invisibility before the observer ! These fish are toxic but not aggressive as they melt into the background so they are not seen .
Scorpionfish get their name from the venomous spines on the dorsal fin depending on species , the neurotoxins injected into the victim . They can be found in shallow coastal waters , on reefs and seabeds . They prey on smaller fish and crustaceans , which are sucked into the mouth when the fish decides to break cover and lunge , opening its mouth and creating a vacuum that sucks the unwary into its maw .
Unfortunately when they are not seen there is a danger of stepping on them or brushing against them by accident . The venom is injected via spines on the dorsal fin – it causes intense pain , swelling and respiratory problems . Seek urgent medical aid .
The camouflage is versatile , helping such fish blend into wrecks , reefs and seabeds . The good news is for photographers is that they keep still . This is especially true of the stonefish – when you see them move , it ’ s like some prehistoric predator that hasn ’ t quite mastered locomotion yet .
Disappearing fish ? As Confucius said : “ If you want to hide a grain of sand throw it into the desert .” PAUL WINKLEY , Ammanford SAC
Thanks for sharing your experience of scorpionfish , Paul . I ’ m not sure about that Confucius quote , though he did have something clever to say about grains of sand and pearls – Philosophy Editor

Top talk

ON 9 MARCH , PUTNEY BSAC HOSTED A virtual talk by Swanage RNLI on diving safety . It was a fantastic and informative evening and we were joined by over 50 people , some local but others dialling in from as far as Cornwall , North Wales and even the Dutch West Indies . Big thanks to Alan for giving the talk , and RNLI staff Gary and Nick for answering queries during the Q & A . EMMA SPRING , Putney BSAC

More Monty ?

PLEASE CAN WE HAVE MORE articles by Monty Halls in Scuba magazine ? I can ’ t remember the last time I laughed so hard . A perfect antidote to lockdown blues . JAN CARLSON , Cirencester Dolphin SAC
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