Whilst diving at Rapid Bay jetty just before Christmas, I came across this small group of fish just hanging around together: –

There were, at least, a couple of Mosaic Leatherjackets, Eubalichthys mosaicus, a Magpie Perch and a Longsnout Boarfish. I believe that this was possibly a fish cleaning station that has drawn the fish together.

As I got closer to the group, the Boarfish fled and the Leatherjackets became nervous (see image 2 below). I didn’t witness any fish cleaner hosts, so I’m only surmising. However, in image 1, both Leatherjackets have erected first dorsal spines, suggesting that they are vying for a host’s attention.

Further, in image 1 (see cropped version below), a 3rd and 4th Leatherjacket are present beyond the main two, and their positions are consistent with fish queuing at a cleaning station.

I have posted these details and images on iNaturalist at https://inaturalist.org.au/observations/255854489 .

By David Muirhead

Life member David is a long-serving Secretary of the Marine Life Society of South Australia. He has dived and snorkelled in South Australian waters for around five decades and has a particular interest in bony fishes. He is a diver photographer who loves posting photos from his dives to iNaturalist

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