Dead plainfin midshipmen at Sund Rock

Fish & Invertebrate sightings and descriptions, hosted by resident NWDC ID expert Janna Nichols (nwscubamom).
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derekcs
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Dead plainfin midshipmen at Sund Rock

Post by derekcs »

At Sund Rock yesterday, I found quite a few dead plainfin midshipmen in various states of decay/being eaten laying out in the open. It struck me as very unusual. Has anyone ever seen a bunch of them dead like that? Is it an early sign of another low oxygen event? Do other critters not find them very appetizing?

I've attached a few example photos.
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All underwater photographs of mine are posted at http://www.dereksinger.com
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Jeremy
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Re: Dead plainfin midshipmen at Sund Rock

Post by Jeremy »

Odd, I saw a dead one floating midwater in the shallows at Redondo last Thursday too
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Greg Jensen
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Re: Dead plainfin midshipmen at Sund Rock

Post by Greg Jensen »

It's typical for a bunch of them to die off this time of year, following reproduction. Main thing that draws so many bald eagles to Seabeck, to scavenge them.
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derekcs
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Re: Dead plainfin midshipmen at Sund Rock

Post by derekcs »

Greg Jensen wrote:It's typical for a bunch of them to die off this time of year, following reproduction. Main thing that draws so many bald eagles to Seabeck, to scavenge them.
I did see a bald eagle swoop down onto a rock along the south wall between dives. Thanks for the explanation!
All underwater photographs of mine are posted at http://www.dereksinger.com
@dereksingerphotography on Instagram
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