Tag Archives: squid

2022

Day 7: Ending our Last Day at Glover’s with Lionfish Ceviche

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We went on our last snorkeling trip to collect data from a non marine protected reef. There is saw a significant amount of bladed fire coral. I also saw a Christmas tree worm that appeared to have bored inside of fire coral which I thought was very interesting because I thought, since fire coral was an athecate hydroid colony and a hard coral, many marine organisms would avoid them due to their stinging capabilities, but they seem to support many life forms.

I also saw and photographed this Caribbean Reef Squid which was very cool! I saw some color changes on the squid when two were together so I wonder if they were communicating.

 Later we dissected three lionfish ( named snack, appetizer, and main course). Our group dissected snack the smallest of the three. After collecting data we made our lionfish into ceviche dish! Muy delicioso!

Although I am sad to leave Glover’s, I have grown and learned so much. I’m so excited for the rainforest and to stay at Las Cuevas!

~ Maegan

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Stuck on Comb Jellies

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May 25, 2019

Today was a big day for Scyphozoa and Ctenophores, otherwise known as true jellyfish and comb jellies respectively. When we unloaded at one of our experiment locations, we had to quickly get back into the boat when we realized Moon Jellies (Aurelia aurita) were everywhere (they can deliver a painful sting), but that doesn’t mean I didn’t take a picture first.

There were also a lot of comb jellies (unknown species). These jellies look similar to jellyfish but are actually from a completely different phylum and use sticky cells called colloblasts to catch prey rather than stinging cells like jellyfish. This is why Amanda was able to safely hold one in her hand.

Eventually, our marine safety officer Herbie found a reef that wasn’t infested with jellyfish. While he was checking the area, he said he saw lots of squid and lionfish. I didn’t end up finding any squid myself, but I did get to watch Herbie spear one of the lionfish – they’re invasive to the Caribbean and eat a lot of important herbivorous fish populations.

Later, we went to the forereef, which was much deeper than the patch reefs inside the atoll. I got to see some living elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata), a nurse shark, several southern sting rays, and a very linear group of small squid.