Scuba Dive

Fish love...

The Yapese way of life and its ocean wonders had enriched our time on the island.  However, we had one last dive we wanted to do before leaving.  It was a very shallow one, only sixteen feet maximum, and had to be done right after sunset.  At that time of night in the shallows of Rainbow Reef there is a special “adults only” show: Mandarin Fish in Love. 

The Mandarin Fish is only two to three inches long, but has a stunning, striped color pattern of blue, green, orange, red, and yellow.  They are shy creatures, hiding amongst the coral most of the time.  But at dusk the males hit on the ladies at the coral reef pick up bar. 

“I’m a Pisces.  I like slow swims and moonlit crustacean dinners. Turn offs include bright light, sudden movements and predators.  But, jump on my pelvic fin and I’m yours for at least thirty seconds!  No scales here, I’m covered in sexy slime.  I’ve only got a twelve-year lifespan, so I’m not looking for long term relationships.”

We entered the water, floated to the bottom, and sat on the sandy floor facing a large boulder of coral.  Tanks seemed like overkill; we could have used long straws for this shallow depth.  I had put on a hood to keep me warm as I usually do on a night dive, but quickly realized my mistake when I started to sweat in the eighty degree water.  We had bright flashlights to spot the fish, but if it was me at the bar I would have found the beams to be poor mood lighting. 

We did not have to wait long for the peep show to start.  Soon the heads of females were popping up between the coral fingers, closely followed by the males.  They met near the coral and swam up together several feet off the reef.  Their mating then culminated in a brief release of sperm and egg.  Finally, in a fraternity house finish, the pair then quickly separated and disappeared among the coral. 

It was an easy, but amazing dive; a great way to end our time in Yap.