Lone Sheep Scuba

09/13/2026

In the 1-to-4-knot currents of Florida’s Atlantic coast and the Palm Beach ledge, a delayed Surface Marker Buoy (dSMB) is not optional gear—it is your primary tether to the boat captain and your first line of defense against open-ocean separation Read our (free) SubStack article about this vital bit of safety equipment.
https://tinyurl.com/43sxebfb

09/12/2026

Facebook has managed to mess up my profile(s) and i am currently unable to post to or respond in any Facebook groups.
Please reach out to me directly on my page at https://www.facebook.com/ScubaInstructorPaulSeldes/
or message me directly.
I have opened several support tickets, and the problem persists for no identifiable reason.

09/06/2026

Divemaster or Master Scuba Diver. Which one is right for you?
It depends on your goals and your motivations. Don't let yourself be oversold by your dive shop without knowing the facts. Read our (free) Substack article to help find YOUR path! And we are always happy to answer questions with no pressure and no obligations!

https://tinyurl.com/56kecx3a

09/06/2026

The banded coral shrimp (Stenopus hispidus), also commonly known as the coral banded shrimp or barber pole shrimp, is one of the most recognizable and widely distributed decapod crustaceans on tropical reefs worldwide.
Despite its common name, it isn't a "true" shrimp (caridean); it belongs to the infraorder Stenopodidea, distinguished by its enlarged, spiny third pair of walking legs equipped with pincers.
Key Characteristics & Biology
• Distinctive Coloration: Striking alternating bands of red/purplish-red and bright white across its body, abdomen, and large claws, giving it a "candy cane" or barber pole appearance.
• Long Antennae: Features remarkably long, brilliant white sensory antennae—often more than double its body length—used to sense surroundings in dark crevices and signal reef fish.
• Size: Relatively small, reaching about 2 to 3 inches (5–7.5 cm) in total body length, though its long pincers and antennae make it appear much larger.
Behavior & Ecological Role
Cleaner Symbiosis
• Established as a key cleaner shrimp on coral reefs.
• Stationed near overhangs, caves, or cleaning stations, it waves its conspicuous white antennae to attract reef fish.
• It picks off external parasites, fungi, and dead tissue from visiting fish, gaining a steady meal while providing pest-removal services.
Territoriality & Mating
• Strict Monogamy: Stenopus hispidus forms long-term, monogamous breeding pairs. A mated pair will defend a single ledge or crevice for extended periods.
• High Aggression: Intolerant of other banded coral shrimp of the same s*x. Encounters often result in territorial disputes where limbs or claws can be lost (though they regenerate during subsequent molts).
- Distribution Circumtropical (found throughout the Indo-Pacific, Caribbean, and Western/Eastern Atlantic)
- Depth Range Shallow reefs down to ~200 feet (60 m)
- Micro-Habitat Coral ledges, dark overhangs, rocky crevices, and wreck recesses
- Activity Primarily nocturnal; usually shelters inside crevices during bright daylight hours

08/28/2026

Gas Management - There is no excuse for running low or out of gas. There are several different skills you probably learned during open water or advanced class about what to do if you run out of gas. But what about making sure that you just don’t run out? Gas management is about monitoring and managing your gas supply to ensure you have plenty of gas to enjoy your dives and is one of the most critical skills you should master!
Read more on my free SubStack at https://open.substack.com/pub/lonesheep/p/gas-management-the-golden-rule?r=5v2yg5&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

08/28/2026

Are you ready to share your scuba passion? Do you dream of being a scuba instructor? Are you ready to take your dive adventures to the next level?
We have limited spots for our September/October IDC. Find out if you have what it takes to go "pro". We can arrange no obligation consulting calls with our IDC Course Director to answer any questions you may have!

08/28/2026

A question I get a lot is "how can i improve my gas consumption?".
Yes...you can take a class BUT the secret sauce is to dive more!
Here are some tips on my (free) SubStack!

https://open.substack.com/pub/lonesheep/p/how-can-i-improve-my-gas-consumption?r=5v2yg5&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

Tips for better diving

08/14/2026

The scrawled filefish (Aluterus scriptus) is one of the most striking and distinctive reef dwellers in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. Known for its slender body, electric blue markings, and remarkably secretive behavior, it’s a favorite encounter for divers, snorkelers, and reef enthusiasts alike.
1. Key Physical Features
• Electric Markings: Its mottled olive-brown, grey, or yellowish body is covered in vibrant neon-blue squiggles, lines, and dark spots. This erratic, hand-drawn appearance gives the fish its "scrawled" name.
• Elongated Profile: It has a highly compressed (pancake-thin) body with a long, upturned snout and a broom-like, fan-shaped caudal fin (tail) that can be as long as its main body.
• Size: It is one of the largest filefish species, routinely growing to 18 to 24 inches (45–60 cm) in length, with maximum lengths reaching up to 3 feet (1 meter).
• The "File" Texture: Like all filefish (family Monacanthidae), its skin is tough and covered in tiny, non-overlapping scales, giving it a coarse texture similar to sandpaper or a metal file.
2. Behavior & Defensive Mechanisms
• Master of Camouflage: Despite its bright blue lines, the scrawled filefish can alter its shade and pattern to blend into gorgonians, sea whips, and coral heads.
• The Trigger Spine: On top of its head, it possesses a prominent, rigid dorsal spine. When threatened, it can wedge itself into a narrow coral crevice and lock this spine upright (supported by a smaller second spine) to make itself nearly impossible for a predator to extract.
• Head-Down Hovering: It frequently floats vertically with its head pointing downward among sea fans or floating Sargassum w**d, mimicking sea grass or debris drifting in the current.
3. Diet & Habitat
• Diet: Scrawled filefish are generalist omnivores. They use their strong, specialized beak-like teeth to feed on fire corals, hydrozoans, sea anemones, gorgonians, sponges, algae, and tunicates.
• Toxic Immunity: Remarkably, they consume stinging organisms—such as fire coral and stinging hydroids—without ill effect. Because of this diet, their flesh can accumulate ciguatoxin, making them unsafe for human consumption.
• Habitat: They are a cosmopolitan species found globally in warm tropical and subtropical waters (Atlantic, Caribbean, Indo-Pacific). You'll typically find them cruising shallow coral reefs, lagoons, and seaward drop-offs down to about 120 feet (36 meters), though juveniles often drift far offshore in floating Sargassum mats.
4. Scuba & Underwater Photography Tips
Diver's Note: Scrawled filefish are naturally shy and slow-moving, relying on stealth rather than speed.
• Approach Slowly: If you rush toward them, they will immediately turn their thin profile directly toward you, minimizing their silhouette and slowly drifting away into deep coral cover.
• Wide-Angle & Macro Opportunities:
o Their full profile with the broom tail makes a great wide-angle subject, especially when framed against sea whips or gorgonians.
o Their intricate blue body patterns and unusual, independently moving eyes offer fantastic macro abstract shots if you approach with calm, steady buoyancy.

08/14/2026

The Yellowline Arrow Crab (Stenorhynchus seticornis). These striking, spindly crustaceans are a favorite find for macro photographers and divers across the tropical Western Atlantic and Caribbean.
Here is a breakdown of what makes these reef inhabitants so fascinating:
Key Characteristics & Anatomy
• The "Arrow" Shape: They get their name from their highly elongated, pointed snout (rostrum), which features tiny serrations along the edges.
• Intricate Patterns: If you look closely at their triangular carapace, they feature beautiful, iridescent gold, yellow, and brown parallel lines.
• Vibrant Claws: Their long, slender legs look remarkably spider-like, but their small claws (chelipeds) steal the show with bright, iridescent blue or violet tips.
Habitat & Behavior
• Where to Find Them: They are incredibly common on coral reefs, coral rubble, and rocky drop-offs, typically ranging from shallow waters down to over 100 feet. They love hiding in tight crevices, under ledges, or tucked safely near the base of sponges and stinging anemones.
• Nocturnal Foragers: While you can spot them during the day hanging out in shadows, they become much more active at night, boldly stepping out onto the reef to hunt and scavenge.
• Reef Sanitation Crew: Arrow crabs are opportunistic omnivores and scavengers. They feed on detritus, small worms (including bristle worms), and tiny invertebrates.
Dive & Photography Notes
• Symbiotic Friends: They are occasionally known to act as casual "cleaners," picking parasites and dead tissue off cooperating reef fish or sharing a home with cleaner shrimps.
• Posing for the Camera: Because they rely on their camouflage and crevice-dwelling habits to avoid predators like groupers and snappers, they will often hold perfectly still when approached slowly. This makes them excellent, cooperative subjects for macro photography—especially when trying to capture the contrast of those blue-tipped claws against the reef.

08/14/2026

It is that time of year here in South Florida. Spiny Lobster season opened August 6th.
So, we are sharing some of our favorite spiny lobster recipes! This week is our Lobster Risotto! We keep the heads of the lobsters and make lobster stock from them. Use that lobster stock water for this recipe!

Stuff you need
3 quarts water
½ yellow onion, coarsely chopped / 1 onion finely chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 bay leaf
Spiny Lobsters
¼ cup good olive oil
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 ½ cups arborio rice (risotto rice)
1 cup dry white wine
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ cup chopped Italian Parsley

Cooking Directions
3 quarts of water to a boil with coarsely chopped onion, carrot, and bay leaf.
Get an ice bath ready.
Dump lobsters into boiling water approx. 2 minutes. Remove and dump in ice bath for 1 minute. Set them aside but keep the lobster water warm.

In a fry/sauté pan heat the olive oil, the finely chopped onion and tomato paste over medium heat for 8-10 minutes. Add the rice and stir constantly for 2 minutes. Add white wine and ladle in the warm lobster liquid until the rice is covered.

Turn the heat to high, continue to stir and add lobster liquid keeping it level with the rice for about 15 minutes.

Remove the lobster tail meat and chop into 1 inch chunk and toss into rice. Cook until rice is soft but al dente. Remove from heat and stir in the butter and parsley.

For a little creamier texture stir in some quality grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese. To add a little kick to it, stir in some crushed red pepper flakes.

Now serve and enjoy!