Dorada (Gilthead) "petting"...

Hi guys,
The strangest thing happened to me yesterday.
Thought you might like this story, it was on scuba however.

I was on a nightdive yesterday night with 2 clients, we were about to enter a cave...I notice a shadow coming towards me, I was leading the group, and in the light of my torch, I recognize the shape of a big Dorada (Gilthead), must have been about 5 kg.

I put my self on the bottom, like I would be doing an espetto, and waited a bit, he came a bit closer and whilst holding my breath (I know, a big no-no on scuba :naughty ), I signalled the other guys to stay behind.

I slowly moved towards him, I suddenly had the urge to touch him, and I did, well..the dorada acted like one of my cats, you might not believe this but he let himself be touched for a while, then he slowly turned around and swam away!

I came up, and I must admit...had the same rush :friday as if I would have caught him !!

spaghetti said:

Cool story. Especially if you think how suspicious and easy to run away giltheads are when you have a speargun: I only caught 4 in 18 years hunting (the 4th one last month). But fishes may always surprise you with their behaviour.
Years ago one of my ex girlfiriends did the same with a murena: she scratched his nose like a pet cat. I nearly pissed my pants when I saw her pointing the finger to the face of the murena. And I thought: "okay, she's will still be not bad also with 4 fingers only...". rofl But the eel stood there enjoyng the nose scratches (or more probably, ignoring her plainly...).

Click to expand...

I guess, she must have been some lady...