POV: swimming with a flying fish!

Key Concepts:

• Flying Gurnard (pectoral fins resembling wings)
• Atlantic Coral Reef Tank (National Aquarium)
• Pectoral Fins (function and appearance)
• Defensive Mechanisms (making itself look bigger)
• Benthic Zone (typical habitat of flying gurnards)
• Blue Tang/Surgeon Fish (sharp spines on tail)
• Tarpon/Silver King (reflective scales)

Diving in the Atlantic Coral Reef Tank

The video documents a dive in the Atlantic Coral Reef tank at the National Aquarium. The tank is 13 feet deep, holds 335,000 gallons of water, and houses over 100 species native to the Atlantic Ocean. The diver observes various species, including a school of blue tangs and a large tarpon.

• Blue Tangs: Also known as surgeon fish, they possess sharp spines on their tails, resembling a surgeon's scalpel.
• Tarpon: Nicknamed "silver king" due to the bright flash reflecting from their bodies.

Encountering the Flying Gurnard

The primary objective of the dive was to observe the flying gurnard, a fish with pectoral fins that resemble wings.

• The diver spots the flying gurnard near the top of the tank, associating with a bonnethead shark.
• The gurnard expands its pectoral fins, showcasing their wing-like appearance.
• The diver notes that when the fins are collapsed, the fish resembles a frog from the side.
• Flying gurnards can grow up to 20 inches in length.

Discussion with Holly Bourbon in the Dive Locker

After the dive, the diver speaks with Holly Bourbon in the dive locker, where diving equipment is cleaned and stored.

• Pectoral Fins: Holly clarifies that the "wings" are actually pectoral fins.
• Defensive Mechanism: The flying gurnard uses its pectoral fins to make itself look larger to potential predators. When the wings spread out, they have a "peacockish look".
• Habitat: While the flying gurnard typically inhabits the lower benthic zone of coral reef systems, the aquarium's specimen prefers to stay higher in the water column.
• Behavior: Flying gurnards are often seen "walking" along the bottom, displaying their pectoral fins in a horizontal position.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The video provides a glimpse into the diverse marine life of the Atlantic Coral Reef tank at the National Aquarium, with a focus on the unique characteristics and behavior of the flying gurnard. The interview with Holly Bourbon offers insights into the function of the gurnard's pectoral fins as a defensive mechanism and highlights the atypical behavior of the aquarium's specimen compared to wild populations.