While it is not possible to celebrate International Friendship Day every day, we still like to celebrate friends, family and dive buddies. Let's take a quick look at the links we find in the underwater world:
LONGIMANUS AND PILOT FISH
A whitetip shark and its group of pilot fish is one of the most iconic scenes in the ocean. The shark’s gigantic size (up to 4 metres/13 feet in length) and its large pectoral fins provide an ideal refuge for its small striped companions who return the favor by cleansing its body and mouth of various parasites. Although pilot fish sometimes follow other large pelagic creatures (sometimes even ships), oceanic whitetip sharks remain their favorite companions.
FRENCH ANGELFISH
French angelfish, the underwater world’s answer to Romeo and Juliet, are found almost exclusively in pairs and are one of the few creatures on earth to enjoy a lifelong monogamous relationship. Usually, they swim together to the surface where they release their eggs and sperm, unceremoniously fending off anyone who gets too close. They can be seen along coral reefs in the western Atlantic, where they like to approach divers to snoop.
HERRING
These gregarious fish, always looking for food on the seabed, are not satisfied with one or two friends, but number in the billions. Herrings, with their schools covering an area of approximately five square kilometers/3.1 square miles, constitute one of the largest groupings in the animal kingdom. To avoid a perceived danger, the shoal moves away and creates a ring shape. Furthermore, herrings are school fish and, if they are separated from them, they can die.
SEA ANEMONE AND CLOWN FISH
An anemone fish (clown fish) is rarely found far from the homonymous plant and for a very specific reason. The small fish, made famous by a Disney film, is immune to the toxic tentacles of the plant which, on the other hand, represents a safe place to live and find some food. In this partnership, Nemo’s role is to fend off predators and keep the “house” in order. However, anemonefish are a bit capricious; in fact, they are seen around in the company of creatures such as pom-pom crabs.
SUBAQUEI
Ovviamente, non potevamo scrivere un articolo sui compagni d’immersione senza includere noi stessi! A differenza delle creature qui sopra, i subacquei si possono trovare in tutto il mondo, in ogni forma e dimensione, e mostrano ogni tipo di comportamento. Grazie a varie riviste, programmi e film, puoi scoprire di più sui diversi tipi di coppie d’immersione che potresti incontrare durante il tuo prossimo viaggio.
