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I have chosen a tide-pool on the far left end of Hanauma Bay. This area is supposedly untended by humans, and it contains an innocuous example of a predator/prey relationship. The tide-pool that I have chosen is adjacent to several smaller tide-pools, all of which contain the same characteristics as that of the chosen tide-pool. The tide-pool itself is shaped by a black, craggy, rock bowl formation. It is carpeted by a roughly circular layer of sand of less than eight inches in diameter. Within the three-inch deep tide-pool reside saltwater Blennys. These ebony colored fish have long tailfins about eight times the length of their head, which they employ when leaping from tide-pool to tide-pool. As the tide-pools are slightly raised above sea level, the Blennies' long tail fins are probably a necessity for survival. This demonstrates natural selection, as any fish that did not possess the Blenny's tide-pool hopping ability would be unable to escape if the tide-pool's water supply ever expired.

One abiotic factor of this habitat is the black rock formation that shapes the tide-pools. The contour of the rock provides the Blennys with shelter and privacy. Another abiotic factor is the wave motion activity of the bay. This wave activity benefits the Blennies by supplying them with fresh seawater, while drawing the original seawater back into the ocean. This serves as a natural filtration system, a system that prevents the Blennies from being overwhelmed by an excess of bacteria, which will cause exponential growth in the algae population.

One biotic factor is the Blenny's food source, algae. Blennies prey on algae, a trait that makes them appealing to aquarium owners. This algae provides the Blennies with nutrients, while absorbing nutrients themselves from the sun's UV rays by using photosynthesis. The Blennies' habitat also offers algae shelter from abrasive wave motion. Another biotic factor is the presence of fist-sized crabs in the nearby cluster of boulders. The presence of these crabs entails more caution on the Blenny's behalf. The Blennies must keep a wary eye on the lookout for scuttling predators that can bisect them with one fatal snip of its claw.

I think that this habitat will be an excellent setting to examine for the semester because I am able to examine a vegetarian, and therefore not gruesome, predator/prey relationship with dozens of committed Hanauma bay staff at hand. On Sunday, October 19th, I received assistance from the Hanauma Bay in narrowing my search for the specific identities of my chosen tide-pool's residents. Other informative services include the displays in the preliminary exhibit by the entrance. When I next return to Hanauma Bay, I intend to distinguish what species of Blenny, algae, and possibly crab, I am dealing with. media type="custom" key="2400169"