Hi Patty
As we would say here Top Side in the States... Too Cool!!!!

I certainly would not have wanted to tangle with a sea monster such immense
proportions!
... and of course he looked even bigger under water.

Once on a night dive in Honduras I captured a hermi in a 15 inch + Tulip
shell and that was a fighting little monster.  (On muck bottom near grasses
in Utila Bay, 56', Jan 1990) I brought him up to the surface but the shell
was in such bad shape we set him free. (and oh did he smell!!!)

Just as a travelers note... if you have a flashlight in you Airline carry on
luggage and they ask you what it is... don't call it a torch here in the US,
they will be clueless what you mean and as you know at the moment they are a
bit paranoid!

But I really would like to know what a Bommie is?

Leslie


-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists of America List [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Patty Jansen
Sent: Monday, March 18, 2002 9:07 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: hermit crabs in shells

Dear all,
The most amazing thing I ever saw on a dive was a fully grown shell of
Syrinx aruanus (about 50cm long!) with a hermie in it! Now this was some
hermit crab. Not only that, but it had hauled itself plus shell halfway up a
15m high bommie! Imagine shining your torch on this creature during a night
dive!
Patty