Exploring tide pools one day, I found this unfortunate floating blenny. It was quite large, for a blenny, and in a small pool. The weather had been calm for a few days, without much ocean swell. I think the fish was trapped in the pool and, without fresh seawater reaching it, the pool had become stale and oxygen starved.
The macabre essence of the scene contrasted with its painterly quality, enhanced by the blenny’s coloration and the delicate creamy shells in the pool.
Updated 6-20-18
I’ve since learned that the ‘delicate creamy shells’ in the pool are actually a type of seaweed, Padina japonica. I’m also not sure about my oxygen starvation theory either since blennies are notoriously adept as jumping from pool to pool. Two things are unchanged however: the blenny is still dead and I still like the painterly quality.
The creamy shells are interesting, I’ve never seen any like them..but I’ve never been to Hawaii.
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It’s the first time I’ve noticed them, and I don’t know what they are either. I’ve been meaning to go back to the spot, but I haven’t been able to at a suitable low tide.
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Poor blenny, but he looks beautiful even in death!
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I know. That’s how I felt. I was surprised and very pleased when I saw the photo.
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