Big Eyed Bream

DESCRIPTION:

Basu are one of the more commonly encountered fish on the reef.  Their ability to drift away from a diver and keep a a constant 10m gap between them without actually bolting can make them a very rewarding (if not frustrating) fish to hunt.  They have a basic 'snapper' shape with a very blunt nose.  Their large eyes are an identifying feature.  They are generally a greyish colour and often have three large black bands across their backs which they can illuminate or hide depepnding on their background.  The inside of their mouths, around their eyes and the tips of their fins are often red.  They are most reguarly speared in the 30-40cm range but may grow up to 60cm and 5kg.  The juvenile fish smaller than around 30cm are much easier to spear and often found shallower.  Obviously they should be left alone.

 FEEDING HABITS & HABITAT:

Basu are a general scavenger eating all sorts of invertabrates that it can find on the bottom.  They inhabit the rubbly, sandy gutters between coral reefs at depthe right down to 100m.  They are usually found in pairs or threes but may be found in aggregations of up to 50 individuals.

HUNTING TECHNIQUES:

Basu are a wary fish but if you can get above them you can often bomb straight down on them.  When you are diving down make sure that you just glide the last 5 or so meters so as not to spook the fish.  They are often quite reluctant to leave their little gutters so if you see one displaying any indecision you should dive immediately straight down on them.