Shell shine: Green sea turtle stops to get a clean from a shoal of fish

By Daily Mail Reporter

This amazing picture, taken by photographer Mike Roberts in Puako, Hawaii, shows a turtle getting a spring clean from a shoal of yellow tangs


This is the spectacular moment a turtle stops to get a clean from a shoal of fish in an underwater 'car wash'.

The Hawaiian green sea turtle floated in mid water while the almost luminous yellow tang fish busied themselves with the task of removing the algae from his body.

In a similar scenario to a normal car wash, the turtles take it in turns to swim into this make-shift 'cleaning station' for their daily wash.

Photographer Mike Roberts, 60, snapped the incredible picture while diving at Puako in Hawaii.

He said: 'The turtle is visiting a cleaning station of yellow tangs.

'This is a very common occurrence - the tangs hang out in the same area everyday and the turtles take turns floating mid water allowing the fish to work on all areas of his body.

'In this symbiotic relationship, the tangs eat by cleaning algae from the turtle.

'To some, the turtle doesn't look very pleased - it could be because turtles have hard mouths and cannot smile or he has only chosen to be here because it feels good.

'He obviously doesn't understand the importance of algae being removed so he is there for the massage.

'This particular shot is somewhat unique because the tangs usually congregate more around the shell rather than the head.'

Mr Roberts, from Maui, in Hawaii, has been diving since he was a boy and has developed an obsession with the sea over the years.

He said: 'I have played with photography most of my life but I have been very serious about it for about 12 years.

'My earliest memories of the world beneath the ocean surface, were of following my dad while he was spearfishing off the coast of Keawekapu on Maui.

'Now, over a half of a century later, I am scuba diving and my passion for the sea has become obsession.

'Much of my underwater photography is captured within a couple of miles of the same area I snorkeled with my father.

'The undersea world is still full of splendour and there are still new things to see on every dive.'


source: dailymail