Today was a straightforward research day. We all did our 6 hours in the water, and pulled in a ton of data.

The best part about being down here in Aquarius is how familiar we get with this stretch of reef. It feels like our own neighborhood when we swim out to our research site. We have started to get used to the fish that frequent our areas, and even to recognize their habits. On the swim between the habitat and where we work on the brass models, there is a small rock in a large sand patch. Like all of the rocks around the reef, it has its complement of damselfish. Yesterday, we noticed a large sting ray swim in and cover the rock. This did not please the damselfish, and they began harassing the ray until it moved. Today, I noticed the same ray covering the same rock; I moved closer, keeping my head near to the sand. I saw that there were cleaner shrimp crawling along its underside, picking parasites from the ray's gills. Subsequently, I noticed small grouper swimming in to the same location to have the shrimp clean them. Dean placed his hand near the crevice, and the shrimps crawled over his hand (they didn't stay long - perhaps he didn't have enough parasites).

Anyway, it is fascinating to see the same fish swimming through our sites, and have a chance to observe their behavior. We also have time during experimental runs to stare very closely at small patches of coral. This detailed observation enables us to see the tiny ascidians, crustaceans and other critters that live at the smallest scale of the rock.