Redondo Lingcod Egg Sightings & Questions...
Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 4:33 pm
2 weeks ago Tom and I dove Redondo and saw 2 fresh batches of Lingcod eggs. One was on a piece of the oven on the ground next to the vertical piece and the other was on the driver's-side-rear axel of the VW.
This week (Wednesday) they were both gone though there was one similar sized Ling's around the VW, but he wasn't saying "stay away from my babies" as we approached. The VW axel was covered in large starfish and the Lingcod just sat next to it looking sad.
Today there were two similar-sized lings around the VW but no eggs. As we turned the dive and passed the oven again headed home I encountered a smaller but strong :naka: ling that struck me ](*,) and then swam back to the top of the oven where it perched in "crouching-lingcod-hidden-dragon" position. I tried to get Diver C's attention (that's what all my flashing was about Rich - yes, I was ok and thank you for asking ) but we were passed it so I told him to "never mind." A few minutes later, on the southern-most reflector pile, I saw fresh eggs but no papa ling around ... I kept my distance anyway.
Questions:
1. What kinds of critters dine on lingcod eggs? (Is a better question who doesn't?)
2. Can a lingcod defend against starfish?
3. How long do lingcod males stay near a nest once it has been destroyed?
4. Is a male ALWAYS around a next or do they sometimes leave for a while (assuming they're not caught by a fisherman or something)?
5. Why don't female lingcod help the dad's out?!
6. Any other interesting factoids?
Thanks!
This week (Wednesday) they were both gone though there was one similar sized Ling's around the VW, but he wasn't saying "stay away from my babies" as we approached. The VW axel was covered in large starfish and the Lingcod just sat next to it looking sad.
Today there were two similar-sized lings around the VW but no eggs. As we turned the dive and passed the oven again headed home I encountered a smaller but strong :naka: ling that struck me ](*,) and then swam back to the top of the oven where it perched in "crouching-lingcod-hidden-dragon" position. I tried to get Diver C's attention (that's what all my flashing was about Rich - yes, I was ok and thank you for asking ) but we were passed it so I told him to "never mind." A few minutes later, on the southern-most reflector pile, I saw fresh eggs but no papa ling around ... I kept my distance anyway.
Questions:
1. What kinds of critters dine on lingcod eggs? (Is a better question who doesn't?)
2. Can a lingcod defend against starfish?
3. How long do lingcod males stay near a nest once it has been destroyed?
4. Is a male ALWAYS around a next or do they sometimes leave for a while (assuming they're not caught by a fisherman or something)?
5. Why don't female lingcod help the dad's out?!
6. Any other interesting factoids?
Thanks!