Recognized Achievement at Blackwater Ocean Art 2020 for Steven Kovacs
In a captivating underwater encounter, a Sargassum Swimming Crab was observed feeding on a Filefish during a blackwater dive off the coast of Palm Beach, Florida. The dive, won by Steven Kovacs, included a 7-night stay, 18 nitrox dives, and garden view villa accommodation at Siladen Resort & Spa.
Equipped with a Nikon D500, Nikon 60mm Macro Lens, an Ikelite Canon D500 Camera, and Dual Ikelite DS-160 Strobes, the dive was meticulously documented. The camera settings used were 1/250, F29, and ISO 250.
Sargassum Swimming Crabs are a common subject on blackwater dives off Florida. These crustaceans inhabit floating Sargassum seaweed mats found in the ocean surface waters, and their feeding habits involve scavenging and predation on small organisms residing within or near these mats. They use the Sargassum habitat for both food resources and protection, facilitating their feeding and behavioral patterns in this offshore environment.
The crabs are opportunistic feeders, consuming a range of organisms associated with the Sargassum, including small shrimp, amphipods, and organic detritus caught in the seaweed. This omnivorous diet allows them to thrive in the nutrient-rich but pelagic environment. Their swimming adaptations enable them to stay with the floating seaweed and make use of drifting food sources, particularly during nocturnal blackwater dives when activity of many planktonic and nektonic organisms increases.
While the details of the Sargassum Swimming Crab's feeding habits during blackwater dives are not extensively studied, it is understood that these crabs exhibit typical swimming crab behaviour—active foraging within the floating seaweed habitat, both day and night, with increased activity at night possibly due to prey availability and predator avoidance. Blackwater dives, popular in South Florida for observing bioluminescence, reveal these crabs' tendency to swim around the illuminated Sargassum patches, possibly feeding more actively while using the darkness and bioluminescence to detect prey and avoid predators.
Although the specifics of the encounter remain unclear, it is evident that the Sargassum Swimming Crab skillfully navigated the underwater environment, demonstrating its predatory prowess. The dive served as a testament to the captivating world that lies beneath the waves off the coast of Palm Beach, Florida.
The guide provided detailed information about the Sargassum Swimming Crab's feeding habits during blackwater dives, revealing their opportunistic diet and active foraging within the floating seaweed habitat. With the Nikon D500, Macro Lens, and Ikelite DSLR equipment, Steven Kovacs captured mesmerizing images of this encounter, effectively showcasing the crab's predatory prowess in a lifestyle photography contest.
Gardening enthusiasts may find these crabs fascinating, as they thrive in the nutrient-rich, pelagic environment just like plants in a home-and-garden setting. Interestingly, the bioluminescence seen during South Florida's blackwater dives not only attracts these crustaceans but could also help them detect prey and avoid predators, reminiscent of the way plant life reacts to different light sources in various gardening styles.
Equipped with the right photographic equipment and an understanding of these creatures' habits, underwater photographers and divers can potentially create stunning macro shots, adding a whole new dimension to their home-and-garden photography portfolio. Their experiences with these unique, nocturnal dwellers could even inspire novel gardening techniques, promoting a fusion of underwater and land-based gardening for a more comprehensive understanding of life in various environments.
