TROPICAL FISH OF RHODE ISLAND
TROPICAL FISH OF RHODE ISLAND - OUTLINE
TROPICAL FISH OF RHODE ISLAND - DETAILS
The Gulf Stream is a continuous current of water and air that circulates in the western Atlantic. This current is caused by the rotation of the Earth. It starts in the Caribbean and flows north all the way up to the coast of Newfoundland. It then forks off, east towards Europe and north to Greenland, Norway, and beyond. Ranging 20 to 40 miles in width the Gulf Stream averages 2 to 4 knots (giving rise to the apt description "a river within a sea"). It brings warm, clear water from the Caribbean and Florida up to the northeast coast of America. Tropical fish, tropical birds, and many other animals follow or become trapped in the strong currents of the Gulf Stream on its journey north. Small fish and eggs become trapped in the flow. When this current hits an obstruction like a sand bar or reef it branches into a tributary. Some of these tributaries head into shore, depositing the fish and eggs just off our shore. Not all tropical fish come up the stream as drifting juveniles. Schools of adult gray triggerfish for example will often migrate north for the Summer months and move off once the water temperature drops.
Times of Year
The Gulf Stream runs continuously and fish are brought up year round. However except for the Summer months it is too cold for them to survive. From late July to late October many varieties of Tropical Fish can be seen in the waters off Rhode Island. They start out as tiny dime sized fry and by late Summer can reach silver dollar size. Many are easy to spot because their coloration and/or behavior is markedly different than the local fish. The fish initially seek the shallow inter-tidal areas (depths 2-10 feet). After some growth they move out to deeper water (depths 10-40 feet).
Where, When, and How to see them.
Often you can see these fish in less than 5 feet of water, and very near shore. Late in the year, and as they mature, they can be found deeper (10 to 20 feet) and further out.
On Long Island: Shinnecock Bay and Fire Island.
Any time from late July through late October for seeing spotfin butterflyfish and damselfish. Although the greatest variety can be seen when the water is warmest in mid to late August.
Late afternoon through sundown is the best time for most of the tropical fish. Many fish spend much of the day hiding in ledges or along walls and as the sun goes down they often come out from these hiding places into the open to feed. At mid day they may only come out as far as the shadow cast by their hiding spot. Most of the Tropical fish are out in the daytime, but the Bigeye and Cowfish can sometimes be seen on night dives.
High tide is best. Many of the juvenile fish live in just a few feet of water so at low tide they may be at an inaccessible depth. Slack tide is best as the fish are more likely to be out in the open, and the diving is easier without a current to fight.
A cloudy, dark (even rainy) day is best. Bright sun brings shadows and reflections which frighten the fish away before you can see them. The less wind and waves the better.
The Fish
The following list is roughly in order of most commonly seen species.Although the variety varies by year and dive site.
By far the most common of the tropical fish in this area is the Spotfin butterflyfish. Some think that this is because of their tolerance to cold water. Which may well be true as I have seen them in late October in 55 degree water.
Many of the tropical fish are less that an inch long. The butterflyfish damsels and cowfish are often tiny. Spotfins can be dime sized and the cowfish about the size and shape of a small blueberry. Most are recognizable but some like the snowy grouper resemble a jewel fish or damsel when small.
How to See them
SCUBA versus Snorkeling:
Consider the depth of the fish that you are seeking. Snorkeling has advantages of being easier to maneuver in very shallow water and not scaring the fish with noisy bubbles.
SCUBA enables you to see deeper dwelling fish and to wait for a shy fish to leave its hiding place.
With SCUBA you may want to dive a little heavier than usual. Because of the shallow depths an additional 2 to 6 pounds should be used. Many of the fish will be seen very close to the bottom.
A very slow, relaxed approach staying close to the bottom and looking up into overhangs and ledges, and down into the base of walls you may see butterflyfish, damsels, cowfish, or bigeye.
Cruising a little faster along walls or rocky reefs up about 5 feet from the bottom and looking down you may see doctorfish, butterflyfish, grouper, filefish, or you may attract a pilot fish or two.
Slowly working your way up and down a wall or moving along a rocky reef from the eel grass in towards shore will help you determine what depth the fish are at.
When you see a fish do not chase it, it will recognize this as predatory behavior and will certainly out swim you. Instead slow down, stop, and or back up a little. In many cases it's curiosity will bring it to you or it will ignore you and let you observe it at your leisure. If you do scare away a fish then try hanging around a while, it will often come back to the exact same spot.
Tropical fish often collect in "pockets" of abundance, that is several dozen may be seen in a rather restricted area while other seemingly identical and suitable habitats go begging. Where you see one tropical fish slow down,there are probably many more near by. I have often seen Doctorfish and Grouper guarding the same territory as well as Spotfins and Damsels sharing the same hiding place.
Butterflyfish
Close to shore in 5 to 10 feet of water (very young) to 1/4 mile out or more in 10 to 30 feet of water (larger fish in late Summer and early Fall). Look for "cleaned" areas on rock reefs, walls, or ledges. Rocks that are unusually clean of algae or other growth. Hiding in ledges during the day, and in the open, just outside ledges in late afternoon. If frightened they tend to stay in hiding for several minutes.
Damselfish
Very close to shore in 2 to 5 feet of water (very young) to 1/4 mile out or more in 10 to 20 feet of water. Live on bottom. Look for cleaned rocks. Will initially hide when approached but are very territorial and will come out to investigate quickly.
Doctorfish, Barracuda, Trumpetfish/Coronetfish
Close to shore in 5 to 20 feet of water.Free swimming fairly close to bottom.Gravitate toward largest rock pile or other object in the area.
Southern Puffer , Striped Burrfish
Close to shore in 5 to 20 feet of water. Sandy areas. Very young often lie on bottom, older ones are free swimming in mid water.
Pilotfish, Ocean Triggerfish
Close to shore to far out. Open water, towards surface, gravitate toward large objects. They find you (Pilotfish).
Bigeye Squirrelfish, Cowfish
Close to shore in 5 to 20 feet of water. Rocky ledges.
Planehead Filefish, Orange Filefish
Close to shore in 5 to 20 feet of water. In areas of seaweed.Cruise low over seaweed and Filefish will be scared out into the open.
End of September 25, 1999 Presentation at University of Rhode Island