My favorite fish in the world! The yellowtail damselfish. When they are young, they actually do not show any of their namesake: appearing completely dark and covered in blue spots. These vibrant marks look like they actually glow underwater. It reminds me of a starry sky, which is what truly makes this fish my absolute favorite. However, as they grow older, their caudal (rear) fin turns yellow and the spots reduce to their dorsal (top) area or completely disappear. As damsels, these little guys are territorial over their algae gardens, and will often be found in the same place. They are not the easiest to take pictures of, unfortunately, due to their quick movements. So, even though they will stay in the same area, they may not move slow enough for you to get a clear picture.

Today’s tip is so easy, you can work it into your daily routine! As you brush your teeth, make sure to turn off the water. I initially wet my brush (a quick squirt of water), prepare my toothbrush, brush my teeth, then turn on the water to rinse out my mouth. Simple as that! There’s no need to leave it on- especially if you like clean teeth, and take a long time to brush. Remember, it just takes one small thing.

Our first Fish will be one of my personal favorites: the queen angelfish (holacanthus ciliaris). Their distinctive color and pattern make them easy targets for the camera while you’re exploring the reef. Like most fish, they are shy, but will often swim closer for a better look at you. I like to imagine they’re telling themselves how much prettier they are. These subtropical fish can be found by themselves or in mating pairs, and prefer the deeper parts of the reef. That being said, be careful if you are following them while SCUBA diving- you don’t want to end up in Davy Jones’ locker!

And now for our first Tip: how to use only one paper towel to dry your hands. I know, it seems impossible to use JUST ONE because they never seem to work efficiently. Here’s the secret. Most of us instinctively do two shakes, reach for the paper towels, fail to adequately dry them, and proceed to use three or four more sheets. Next time, refrain from immediately grabbing a sheet and- here’s the magic number folks- shake ten times. By the time you finish shaking, almost all of the water will be off and you will only need one sheet!

Fish enthusiast, REEF survey citizen scientist, environmental ambassador, author, diver, adventurer.