Sargassum Fish

Sargassum Fish

Histrio histrio

Size: to 6"

Habitat: wherever the current takes them

Notes: Sargassum fishes are found in drifting clumps of Sargassum weed. They are certainly one of the most bizarre fishes you may encounter. Their closest relatives are deep-sea anglerfishes and the local Goosefish. The paired fins are used exactly like arms and legs, and the Sargassum fish is a clumsy and reluctant swimmer. In fact, the pectoral (arm) fins can be folded over below the elbow, giving the fish an opposable grasp much like our own hands!

Sargassum Fish
In aquarium

Lobster

The first thing about catching a lobster is don't be too afraid of it. Small lobsters - restaurant-sized 1-2 pounders - are not strong enough to really hurt you. Wear a good heavy pair of gloves, and their pinch may be painful, but not damaging. Larger lobsters deserve more respect, because they certainly can hurt you. Really big ones could even break bones. I had a big one once bite me so hard it gave me nerve damage in my thumb. I boiled him personally, and the numbness and swelling went away after a few weeks.