To capture compelling images of fish, understanding their behavior is key. Underwater photography isn't just about having the right equipment—it’s about knowing how to interact with marine life ethically, patiently, and intelligently. Observing fish over time reveals patterns in their migration, feeding, cleaning rituals, and even social relationships. These patterns offer valuable opportunities for underwater photographers. This guide will take you through several core strategies to improve your chances of getting closer to fish and photographing them in their natural habitat, undisturbed.
Knowing Fish Migration Patterns and Habitats
Before getting in the water with your camera, your journey should start on land—with research. Fish are creatures of habit and seasonal rhythms. Their locations, behaviors, and numbers change depending on environmental conditions, breeding cycles, and availability of food. To capture a specific species, you need to understand where and when to find it.
Reading fish guidebooks, scientific papers, and local dive reports can give you essential insights into a species’ behaviors. For instance, many reef fish are territorial and will hover around a particular coral head for most of their lives. Others, like certain pelagic fish, migrate vast distances across oceans.
Migration events are particularly striking. Every year, specific locations play host to spectacular mass gatherings of marine life—whether it’s the spawning aggregations of groupers in French Polynesia, the salmon runs in Alaska, or the gatherings of market squid off the coast of California. These moments offer a rare opportunity to see fish in high density, often with fascinating behaviors such as courtship displays, feeding frenzies, or predation events.
To prepare for such experiences, study the habitats where your target fish lives. Learn what kind of reef formations they prefer, their ideal depth ranges, their breeding seasons, and how they behave when disturbed. Identifying these patterns allows you to plan dives strategically—placing yourself in the right place at the right time.
Using Cleaning Stations to Your Advantage
Cleaning stations are hotspots of marine life interaction and a prime opportunity for capturing unique underwater images. Because fish cannot groom themselves, many rely on smaller cleaner fish or shrimp to remove parasites from their skin, gills, and even mouths. These interactions are peaceful and repetitive, which makes them easier to predict and photograph—if approached correctly.
Cleaning stations are often found on raised topographical features such as coral bommies or rocky outcrops. Large animals like manta rays, sharks, and groupers frequently visit these spots. As a diver, your challenge is to approach without disrupting the delicate behavior between the cleaner and the client.
The trick is to approach low and slow. Avoid swimming directly toward the cleaning station. Instead, move along the reef, using coral or rocks as cover. Sudden movements or silhouettes can send the cleaner fish into hiding, causing the client fish to lose interest and leave.
If the fish are particularly skittish, you can try blending in. Mimic the behavior of the fish awaiting cleaning by hovering just above the reef, about two feet off the bottom. Don’t make excessive bubbles or eye contact. Over time, cleaner fish may start to investigate you. At stations with angelfish or butterflyfish, you might get a stunning close-up of them swimming in for a look. In rarer situations—especially with shrimp cleaners—taking your regulator out and opening your mouth might even invite a shrimp to hop in and clean your teeth. While unusual, this behavior has been documented by experienced divers.
Photographing cleaning behavior is a patient pursuit, but the reward is a unique window into one of the ocean’s most intriguing rituals.
Observing Symbiotic Relationships
Symbiosis is nature’s win-win. Many fish form cooperative relationships with other animals that offer protection, food, or cleaning. These mutualistic relationships often serve as clues to locating elusive subjects and provide powerful compositions for photography.
One of the best-known examples is the relationship between clownfish and sea anemones. The anemone provides shelter with its stinging tentacles, which the clownfish are immune to, and the fish, in return, protects the anemone and provides nutrients through waste. Photographing this pair creates vibrant, colorful images that are instantly recognizable and emotionally engaging.
Similarly, gobies and pistol shrimp form partnerships in which the shrimp digs and maintains a shared burrow, while the goby keeps watch for predators. Find a sandy patch with tiny mounds of disturbed sediment, and you might see the goby peeking out while the shrimp works below.
These pairings give the photographer both a subject and a narrative. Symbiotic relationships often offer a visual contrast—one species larger or more colorful, the other adding context or texture to the image. You can get creative with your lighting. Try backlighting the anemone to highlight the tentacles, or isolate your subject with a snoot to focus attention on the interaction.
The key is observation. Look for patterns. If you see one part of a relationship, scan the area for its partner. Use this knowledge to anticipate where to position your camera and wait for the moment of interaction.
Building Trust With Resident Fish
Some fish are as curious about you as you are about them. In many dive sites, especially those that see frequent visitors, individual fish become familiar with humans and are more tolerant of our presence. Taking the time to return to the same dive sites can pay off with close encounters that make for extraordinary photographs.
Wolf eels, for example, form lifelong pairs and reside in the same crevice for decades. Over time, they learn to recognize divers and can be coaxed into interacting. One diver might find the same eel appearing from its den year after year, seemingly eager for the encounter.
California sheephead and batfish are also known for their curiosity. Some have been seen playing tug-of-war with divers using pieces of kelp. Manta rays are highly intelligent and capable of self-recognition in mirrors. They often return to specific cleaning stations and may seem to enjoy the sensation of diver bubbles on their belly.
To establish trust, approach slowly, avoid touching the animal, and maintain a calm demeanor. Return to the same dive site regularly and avoid aggressive photography on the first few visits. Gradually, the animal may allow you to get closer. In time, you may capture facial expressions, unique behaviors, or even playful gestures.
These relationships are deeply rewarding, not just for the images they yield, but for the personal connection they foster with the ocean's creatures.
Using Your Camera Housing as a Disguise
Fish are highly visual creatures and quickly recognize the outline of a predator. To them, a human face with forward-facing eyes may appear threatening. By concealing your face behind your camera housing, you can change your silhouette and reduce perceived threat.
Some fish—especially shy species—become more curious when they don’t see your eyes. A simple technique is to lift your camera slightly in front of your face and use your LCD screen or viewfinder to compose the shot. Keep your body motion minimal and avoid kicking up sediment.
This method works particularly well with pufferfish, hawkfish, butterflyfish, and damselfish. In one case, a diver found that a previously elusive pufferfish began to approach once he hid his face behind the housing. The fish, now more curious than fearful, offered a perfect profile shot just inches away from the lens.
Using your housing as camouflage is not about tricking the fish—it’s about speaking their language of safety. Presenting a smaller, less aggressive profile shows respect for their comfort zone and increases your chance of a natural pose.
Avoiding Eye Contact With Shy or Predatory Fish
Eye contact carries weight in the animal kingdom. Among many species, including fish, a direct gaze is interpreted as a threat. This holds especially true for skittish or apex predators like sharks, barracudas, and balloonfish. To get close without scaring them off, it’s crucial to avoid direct eye contact.
Instead of locking eyes, focus your gaze on your camera or slightly off to the side. This gives the animal a sense of safety, encouraging it to continue its behavior without fleeing. For sharks in particular, this technique can be the difference between a fleeting glimpse and an up-close pass.
Photographers who specialize in shark imagery often recommend letting the shark dictate the interaction. Approach slowly, remain calm, and let the animal observe you on its terms. Once the shark is comfortable, avoid sudden movements, keep your bubbles low, and use peripheral vision to track its motion.
Avoiding eye contact doesn’t mean ignoring the animal—it’s about showing respect in a language they understand. When used correctly, this method often leads to more relaxed, natural behavior that translates into striking photographs.
Positioning Yourself Low for the Best Angles
One final trick that blends behavioral observation with artistic composition is positioning yourself low, often below the fish. Most photographers make the mistake of shooting from above, which flattens the subject and eliminates the background.
By getting low, you place the fish against a blue or green water column, rather than the busy texture of the reef. This isolates the subject, gives depth to your image, and brings out the fish’s profile. Many fish will also perceive you as less threatening when you’re below them, rather than above.
To execute this, descend to the substrate, find a secure position, and wait. Let the fish come to you. Being lower than your subject also allows light to fall in a more flattering direction, particularly when using strobes. If your subject is moving quickly, anticipate its path and position yourself in its trajectory, holding your camera ready with minimal movement.
Over time, combining this approach with the other techniques discussed above will create opportunities to photograph fish in intimate, candid moments. You will not only get better images—you’ll also become a more thoughtful diver.
Reading Fish Body Language for Better Timing
The ocean is a world of subtle cues and quiet conversations. Fish do not speak, but they communicate constantly through movement, posture, fin positions, and even color changes. By learning to read this non-verbal language, you can dramatically increase your ability to approach and photograph them.
When a fish is relaxed, it moves slowly, often in gentle zigzag patterns, with fins fully extended. It may investigate its surroundings or remain stationary, hovering with minimal effort. This is the ideal time to approach. On the other hand, if a fish tucks its fins, changes direction abruptly, darts into hiding, or darkens in color, it is stressed or agitated. In such cases, backing off is the best course of action.
Some fish display very specific behavior to warn that your presence is unwelcome. Damselfish, for instance, are territorial and may flare their fins, swim directly at you, or circle aggressively if you approach their nesting area. If you ignore these signs, they may bite—not out of malice, but instinct.
Groupers and angelfish often communicate more subtly. Watch the gill covers and operculum—rapid flaring can signal distress. Parrotfish will raise their dorsal fin when uncertain. Understanding these behaviors allows you to time your approach and camera shutter with sensitivity.
By pausing when a fish flinches or changes posture, you build trust. If you stay still long enough, the fish may return to its original activity. These moments of resumed normal behavior are the ones you want to photograph. They provide context, emotion, and authenticity to your images.
Mastering Breathing Control to Reduce Disturbance
Buoyancy and breathing are the twin pillars of underwater composure. Most fish are keenly aware of changes in water pressure, current, and noise. Fast, erratic breathing or uncontrolled movements disturb their surroundings, often sending them into hiding. For underwater photographers, mastering your breathing technique is essential.
Slow, rhythmic inhalation and exhalation not only help you maintain better buoyancy but also project calm energy. Many marine species are sensitive to carbon dioxide and turbulence. Blowing bubbles forcefully, especially toward the animal, causes disruption. Ideally, breathe out to the side and upward. Avoid direct exhalation near delicate coral formations or near fish engaged in cleaning or mating rituals.
Another effective trick is to hold your breath very briefly while pressing the shutter. This pause in breathing creates stillness in your body, reducing camera shake and water disturbance. However, avoid holding your breath too long or excessively—always follow safe diving practices.
Neutral buoyancy is crucial when hovering to photograph fish. Kicking or flailing damages the environment and alarms the fish. Use small adjustments with your fins, avoid touching the bottom, and keep your arms compact. Hover a few feet away and let your slow breathing pull you into a gentle rhythm with the fish.
In time, you’ll notice that fish begin to accept your presence when you seem a natural part of the environment. Your calm breathing pattern signals that you’re not a predator. This gives you more time to compose, light, and frame the perfect shot.
Species-Specific Approaches: Tailoring Your Tactics
No two fish are alike in temperament, movement, or territorial behavior. What works for a friendly hawkfish will not work for a jittery wrasse or a solitary trumpetfish. Learning the nuances of individual species will drastically improve your approach's success rate.
For instance, lionfish are relatively easy to photograph. They are slow-moving, often hover in place, and rarely flee from divers. Because they rely on their venomous spines for protection, they feel less threatened by your presence. Get close, use a wide-angle lens, and try backlighting to highlight the translucent fins.
On the opposite end of the spectrum are fusiliers and anthias—fast, schooling fish that dart erratically. Patience is key here. Don’t chase them. Instead, position yourself near coral heads where they naturally gather, especially during feeding. Wait for them to return to their comfort zone.
Some fish, like scorpionfish or frogfish, are masters of camouflage. They don’t move much, but they blend in seamlessly. Spotting them requires sharp eyes and a trained knowledge of patterns. Once located, approach slowly. These fish rely on stillness for defense and will allow close photography if undisturbed.
Barracudas, on the other hand, are curious but cautious. They may follow you at a distance. If you stop and remain calm, they will often circle closer. Avoid rapid movement or eye contact. Use natural light when possible, as strobes may startle them.
Trumpetfish are known to shadow larger fish or hover vertically among sea rods. They are shy but not impossible. Approach from below or the side, not from above. They may remain stationary long enough for a close-up if you blend with the environment.
Each species comes with a learning curve. The more time you spend in the water, the more familiar these patterns become. Soon, you’ll develop an instinctive sense of what to do when you see a specific fish.
Understanding Feeding Behavior and Timing
Fish are often most approachable during feeding periods. During these times, their focus shifts from defense to foraging, and their tolerance of diversity increases. Knowing the feeding habits of your subject gives you an advantage.
Herbivorous fish like tangs, parrotfish, and surgeonfish feed in groups along algae-covered rocks and coral. These grazers move in predictable patterns and often return to the same spots. Choose a location where feeding is active, then position yourself nearby. Remain still, and the fish will graze around you.
Carnivorous fish exhibit different behavior. Groupers may hover near sandy patches, waiting for crustaceans to emerge. Wrasses and triggerfish pick at coral rubble, flipping stones and debris. Nudibranchs and blennies feed on smaller invertebrates, often on vertical surfaces.
Pelagic feeders like trevallies, tuna, or jacks hunt in schools. These moments can be fast and chaotic. Use burst mode to capture rapid movement. Feeding frenzies often attract other species—manta rays, dolphins, or sharks may appear in the distance.
Dawn and dusk are known as peak feeding times for many reef fish. Light levels are low, but behavior is high. Fish are more active, and competition for food is intense. This presents both challenges and opportunities. Use fast shutter speeds, higher ISOs, and wide apertures to adapt to dim conditions while capturing dramatic feeding action.
When photographing feeding fish, always avoid interfering with the food source. Never bait or touch animals to elicit a reaction. True wildlife photography is about patience and observation, not manipulation.
Using Natural Structures as Hides
In the underwater world, coral heads, boulders, sea fans, and sponges serve not only as shelters for marine life but also as perfect hides for photographers. Blending in with the topography allows you to observe without intruding.
If you approach a school of fish directly across open sand, you will likely spook them. Instead, move laterally from behind reef structures. Every few feet, stop, assess the behavior, and proceed only if the fish remain undisturbed. Over time, you can “leapfrog” your way closer.
Ridges, overhangs, and caves provide cover and reduce your visible profile. By tucking yourself behind natural structures, you become part of the environment. Fish tend to ignore static features—they focus on movement. So if you minimize motion, they perceive you as a rock or coral.
Use this to your advantage when framing. Compose your shot so that natural lines in the reef lead to your subject. Coral branches, sponge arms, or anemone tentacles can create beautiful foregrounds. Keep your strobes angled to avoid backscatter and light up only what you need.
This approach is particularly effective for species that live under ledges, like moray eels, squirrelfish, or cardinalfish. Often, they peek out from crevices and return to the same spots. If you wait patiently and don’t block their path, they’ll often emerge further for a better shot.
Natural structures also offer current protection, making it easier to hold position. Let the environment work for you—use it as both a visual aid and a tactical ally.
Utilizing Schools and Behavior Triggers
Fish are social creatures, and some species thrive in schools that exhibit coordinated movement. These formations create mesmerizing photographic subjects, especially when you understand their triggers and flow.
Schooling behavior is often driven by predator evasion, feeding, or migration. Species like sardines, anchovies, jacks, and barracuda form tight spirals and shifting clouds. Capturing this movement requires wide-angle lenses, strong ambient light, and good positioning.
To approach a school, avoid breaking its outer wall. Instead, swim parallel to it at a distance, slowly closing in from the side. Sudden direction changes or rapid fin kicks can scatter the formation. Let the school envelop you gradually.
Some schooling fish, like snappers or grunts, gather in large groups on coral heads during midday to rest. This is your best chance for close shots. Their energy is low, and their movement is minimal. Use slow shutter speeds with rear curtain flash to add motion blur or go for freeze-frame shots to highlight density.
Behavioral triggers also play a role. The presence of predators like reef sharks or trevallies may cause a school to tighten. Light direction and diver shadows can alter movement patterns. Learn to anticipate how a school reacts, then position yourself accordingly.
You can also use behavior to your advantage with individual species. Butterflyfish follow repetitive feeding paths. Filefish patrol a territory. Mimic their rhythm, and you may get close. Study their cycle, then intercept them where they pause.
Behavioral mimicry is a subtle form of camouflage. When you align your pace, body position, and motion with that of the fish, you reduce your threat profile. You don’t just observe the behavior—you become a part of it.
Composing for Personality and Emotion
It’s easy to take a technically good photo of a fish. But to create a great photo—one that tells a story—you need to capture personality. Fish have expressions, postures, and interactions that evoke emotion when framed with intention.
Focus on the eyes. A sharp, clear eye connects the viewer to the subject. It draws attention and anchors the composition. Position your strobes to add a catchlight that brings the eye to life.
Use head-on or three-quarter angles to highlight curiosity or defiance. A clownfish staring directly into your lens has far more emotional impact than a profile shot. Frame against clean backgrounds or with blurred coral for visual contrast.
Look for moments of behavior—yawning groupers, playful damselfish, cautious jawfish peeking from burrows. Each action gives depth to your image. Timing and anticipation are critical. Watch your subject until you see a pattern, then wait for the peak moment.
Storytelling also comes from context. Include elements that reflect the environment: an anemone sheltering its resident, a turtle gliding over a reef, or a wrasse being cleaned by a shrimp. These supporting details add narrative layers.
Avoid excessive cropping or tight framing that removes the setting. While close-ups are powerful, sometimes backing up tells a more complete story. Choose your lens and settings not just for technical quality, but for emotional impact.
Adapting to the Underwater Environment
The underwater environment is never static. Conditions shift constantly—current, visibility, surge, temperature, and light all impact how fish behave and how successful your approach will be. To effectively find and approach fish, photographers must first become students of the sea. Reading the environment is just as important as reading fish behavior.
Currents, for example, influence fish positioning. Many reef fish will face into the current to feed on plankton and suspended particles. This gives you a strategic advantage. By approaching from downstream and keeping your body aligned with the flow, you can move more naturally and reduce perceived threat.
Surge and wave motion near the surface can disrupt visibility and increase movement. In surge zones, fish often find protection behind boulders, reef shelves, or in crevices. These protected spots become predictable gathering areas. Take advantage of the natural rhythm of the surge—time your movements with the swell, letting it carry you into position slowly rather than fighting it.
Visibility affects how close you must be. On poor visibility days, ambient light drops quickly, and contrast diminishes. Fish become more skittish. In these cases, your approach must be extra cautious. Reduce strobe intensity to prevent startling your subject. Use shorter focal lengths and adjust white balance to preserve color accuracy.
The sea surface also changes everything. On calm days, light penetration is smooth and even. On choppy days, light scatters and refracts unpredictably, casting patterns and shadow. These conditions create dramatic image possibilities—especially for wide-angle compositions—but they also challenge your approach technique. Fish may be more cautious when shadows flicker across their environment.
Water temperature shifts with depth and location. Colder waters tend to host more sluggish species, while warm tropical zones support active, fast-swimming fish. Each environment demands a tailored approach. The best photographers observe, adapt, and respond.
Mastering Light for Natural and Strobe Photography
Lighting is the painter’s brush for underwater imagery. Whether you rely on ambient light or use strobes, understanding how light interacts with fish, water, and your camera is vital to approaching and capturing fish successfully.
Ambient light offers a natural, soft effect, especially during midday dives in shallow areas. In clear tropical waters, sunlight can light your subject beautifully if you position the sun behind you. This is especially effective with large schools, turtles, or cruising reef fish. Ambient light allows for greater shooting speed and less disturbance to marine life.
However, water absorbs and scatters light, starting with reds, then oranges, yellows, and so on. By just 10 meters, most red hues are gone. This loss of color makes strobe lighting crucial for capturing accurate coloration—particularly for reef fish with vivid patterns.
Using strobes requires discipline. Fish can become alarmed by sudden flashes, especially if they are fired too close or too often. To minimize stress, adjust your strobe power based on the subject distance. For close macro work, low to medium power is often sufficient. For wide-angle or larger subjects, higher output is acceptable if balanced with proper diffusion.
Position strobes at 10 and 2 o’clock positions from the port to reduce backscatter and create natural shadowing. Avoid direct frontal lighting—it flattens detail. Instead, side or angled lighting emphasizes texture and gives fish more dimensionality. Watch for reflective scales that can bounce light unevenly.
Lighting can also be used for storytelling. Backlighting a translucent fish like a lionfish or scorpionfish reveals glowing fins. Side-lighting a moray eel emerging from a crevice adds drama. Soft fill light on clownfish nestled in an anemone gives a calm, inviting feel.
Mastering light also means knowing when not to use it. Some situations—like observing cleaning stations or approaching sharks—are better captured with natural light. Always choose your lighting based on the subject’s comfort and behavior.
Photographing Behavioral Moments in Fish Life
Capturing fish in action transforms your photography from static portraiture into compelling narratives. Behavior gives life to your images. But to capture these fleeting moments, you must be in the right place, at the right time, and with the right understanding of what’s unfolding.
Spawning behavior is one of the most dynamic scenes. Many reef fish participate in synchronized spawning events at dawn or dusk, timed with lunar cycles. Fish like parrotfish, groupers, and wrasses engage in group courtship, vertical rises, and egg releases. These moments are brief and unpredictable. Position yourself downcurrent, use a fast shutter, and stay alert for bursts of movement.
Cleaning behavior, discussed earlier, offers another behavioral goldmine. Watch for fish lifting their gills or holding still with pectoral fins extended—both are signs that cleaning is occurring. If you’re positioned properly, you can photograph intimate moments between species that reflect trust and cooperation.
Aggression or territorial behavior is dramatic and visual. Damselfish attacking intruders, butterflyfish circling competitors, or gobies defending burrows—each provides an opportunity to showcase the social lives of fish. Be cautious not to amplify these behaviors with your presence. Document, but never provoke.
Courtship behavior includes fin displays, color changes, nudging, or synchronized swimming. Cardinalfish often show expanded mouths during mating, while jawfish carry eggs in their mouths, and can be captured with a careful eye and a steady hand. Butterflyfish pairs often swim in tandem, a behavior best captured with a wide lens and a distant approach.
Even simple behaviors—yawning, feeding, nest building—tell powerful stories. Look for patterns, return to the same spot over multiple dives, and wait for behavior to unfold. The more you observe without interfering, the richer your photo library becomes.
Approaching Large Marine Species: Sharks, Rays, and Turtles
Larger marine animals inspire awe and demand respect. Approaching them requires a different mindset and a deeper understanding of marine etiquette. The goal is not just to photograph them, but to do so in a way that preserves their natural state and promotes positive interaction.
Sharks are among the most misunderstood and challenging subjects. They are apex predators with heightened awareness. The key to successful shark photography is calmness, positioning, and non-confrontational body language.
When encountering sharks, remain upright and neutrally buoyant. Approach slowly from the side, not head-on. Avoid making eye contact and do not chase. Let the shark dictate the interaction. If it circles closer, stay still and let it pass. A sudden movement or flash of light can send it away. Reef sharks, nurse sharks, and blue sharks are often curious and will come within range if you project confidence and stillness.
Manta rays are highly intelligent and responsive to diver behavior. They often visit cleaning stations, making them ideal subjects for wide-angle photography. Position yourself low on the reef, stay motionless, and let the manta approach. They are sensitive to bubbles and light, so breathe softly and angle strobes downward. Use slow shutter speeds to capture graceful wing movements.
Sea turtles, especially green and hawksbill species, are commonly encountered in coral reef regions. Turtles often feed on sponges or rest on ledges. When approaching a feeding turtle, do so slowly from the side or behind. Avoid blocking its path to the surface. Most turtles are relaxed around divers, but respect their personal space. Get low, compose your shot, and wait for eye contact or natural motion.
In all cases, respect is key. Do not touch, chase, or corner large animals. Use your time with them to capture their essence in a calm, respectful, and ethical way. These encounters are privileges, not rights.
Shooting in Open Water and Blue Water Columns
Reef photography often offers structure, color, and predictable fish behavior. But some of the most thrilling experiences happen in the blue—far from any fixed terrain. Open water environments, or blue water columns, offer unique challenges and unforgettable opportunities.
In the open ocean, fish movement is less restricted. You may encounter pelagic species like tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, oceanic whitetip sharks, sailfish, or even sunfish. These animals are fast, dynamic, and unpredictable. Your approach must be quick, silent, and responsive.
First, refine your buoyancy to perfection. In open water, there are no reference points. You must rely on depth gauges and intuition. Maintain neutral buoyancy and use minimal fin movement. Sudden jerks or loud exhalations can frighten fast-moving fish.
Second, scan constantly in all directions. Many blue water encounters happen unexpectedly. Look above, behind, and below you. Your buddy should be equally alert and communicate silently when sightings occur.
Wide-angle gear is essential. These animals are large and need context. Use fast shutter speeds to freeze motion—1/500s or faster—and pre-set your exposure. Practice acquiring focus quickly, especially with fish moving rapidly toward or away from you.
When a subject approaches, resist the urge to swim toward it. Instead, stop, angle your body slightly, and hold your camera steady. Fish in the open ocean are more likely to approach curious objects than flee from aggressive ones.
Lighting in the blue should be subtle. If using strobes, set them to wide dispersion. Avoid full power unless needed. Natural light often creates the most realistic results in open water.
Photographing in the blue is demanding but exhilarating. It rewards preparedness, quick reflexes, and a deep understanding of marine motion.
Building Patience and Timing into Your Photography
The most powerful tool in any photographer’s arsenal is not their camera or strobe—it’s patience. Learning to wait, observe, and respond rather than act impulsively separates the amateur from the artist. Underwater photography is not a race. It is an exercise in stillness and intention.
A patient photographer returns to the same reef again and again. They study the fish, the light, the tides. They know where the jawfish might emerge, when the shrimp goby will surface, and what time the school passes through. This repetition builds intimacy. It also creates better images.
Timing is everything. You might spend 30 minutes with a moray eel waiting for a yawn. Or drift with a turtle for half an hour to catch the right moment it turns toward your lens. Patience allows you to be present when the moment unfolds.
The key is to slow down. Instead of trying to photograph every species on the dive, focus on one. Choose a subject and learn its rhythm. Let go of the pressure to constantly shoot. Sometimes, the best image comes in the last minute of the dive.
Respecting time also means respecting the animal’s time. Don’t overstay your welcome. If the subject shows signs of stress, back off. Your goal is not just to get the shot, but to leave the animal in peace.
Patience teaches you humility and gratitude. It reminds you that you are a guest in a world governed by different rules. The ocean rewards those who listen.
Developing Ethical Practices and Conservation Awareness
Every diver with a camera has a responsibility to protect the ocean. The act of approaching fish and photographing them must always be guided by ethics, respect, and awareness of our impact. The goal is to observe and document, not disturb or harm.
Never touch or chase fish. Doing so not only stresses the animal but may also damage fragile ecosystems like coral or sponge beds. Fish that feel pursued may abandon nests, flee cleaning stations, or injure themselves trying to escape.
Avoid baiting or artificial attraction. Some dive operations feed fish to attract them, especially sharks. While this might lead to dramatic images, it alters natural behavior and can create dangerous associations between humans and food. Responsible photographers work with nature, not against it.
Use your platform to educate and inspire. Photographs can be powerful tools for conservation. Images of fish in their natural behavior raise awareness of marine beauty and vulnerability. When shared ethically, they foster appreciation and action.
Support marine protected areas, sustainable tourism, and science-based fisheries. Share your knowledge with others. Encourage fellow divers to develop better techniques and to care for the subjects they photograph.
Ultimately, underwater photography is not just about art—it’s about connection. When done with empathy and respect, it becomes a celebration of life beneath the waves. It reminds us of the beauty we must protect.
Environmental Influences on Fish Behavior
Temperature plays a pivotal role in regulating fish metabolism, reproduction, feeding, and migration. As ectothermic (cold-blooded) creatures, fish are directly affected by the temperature of the surrounding water. A minor fluctuation of just a few degrees can alter their physiological processes and, subsequently, their behavior.
In warmer waters, enzymatic and metabolic activities speed up, causing increased activity and feeding behavior. Conversely, in colder temperatures, fish become lethargic, feed less, and exhibit slower reaction times. This seasonal rhythm is especially evident in temperate regions, where fish undergo marked behavioral transitions such as hibernation-like states, seasonal breeding cycles, and schooling patterns based on thermoregulation.
Species like salmon and trout exhibit anadromous migratory behavior—spawning in cold freshwater rivers and returning to the ocean to mature. Their finely tuned temperature sensitivity dictates the timing and direction of these epic migrations. Similarly, coral reef species may move deeper or toward shaded areas during periods of elevated sea surface temperatures.
Salinity and Osmoregulation
Another critical environmental factor is salinity. Fish behavior shifts considerably between freshwater, brackish, and marine environments due to osmoregulatory stress. Some fish, called euryhaline species, like the tilapia or bull shark, can tolerate a wide range of salinities and are observed displaying exploratory or migratory behaviors across different aquatic habitats.
For instance, the European eel undergoes a dramatic lifecycle that includes life stages in freshwater rivers and spawning in the saline Sargasso Sea. Behavioral adaptations to osmotic stress, such as increased gill pumping or surface breathing, indicate the fish's constant effort to maintain homeostasis.
Estuarine environments, with their fluctuating salinity levels, often show fish exhibiting tide-timed feeding and hiding behaviors. Fish adapt their location, depth, and activity levels based on the osmotic conditions, which directly impact their survival.
Light and Photoperiod
Photoperiod (the length of day and night) significantly influences circadian rhythms and reproductive cycles in fish. Diurnal fish like damselfish or wrasses are active during the day, using light for foraging and social signaling. Nocturnal species such as squirrelfish and catfish rely on moonlight and bioluminescence to hunt or navigate in darkness.
In environments with artificial lighting—like aquaria or areas near harbors—fish exhibit altered sleep cycles, reproductive anomalies, and disrupted schooling behaviors. Researchers have found that long-day photoperiods accelerate growth in some commercial aquaculture species by extending feeding periods and stimulating hormonal activity.
In reef ecosystems, fish time their spawning behavior to the lunar cycle. For example, many coral reef fish participate in mass spawning events on full moons, using the moonlight as a behavioral cue.
Currents and Water Flow
Water movement affects not just locomotion but feeding, predator avoidance, and reproductive behavior. Fish in high-flow streams, such as trout or minnows, are known to hold positions in the current, conserving energy while feeding on drifting invertebrates. This station-holding behavior demonstrates how fish actively interact with their hydrodynamic environment.
Coral reef fish are known to aggregate in hydrodynamic eddies where plankton concentration is high. Migratory species like tuna or swordfish use oceanic currents for energy-efficient long-distance movement, often choosing pathways that reduce energetic costs and maximize feeding opportunities.
Fish also orient themselves to face the current (positive rheotaxis) to optimize gill ventilation and food intake. In laboratory settings, even minor changes in flow regimes have been shown to shift social hierarchies and aggression levels within fish groups.
Behavioral Plasticity and Learning
Contrary to outdated beliefs that fish are instinct-driven automatons, recent research shows that many species exhibit behavioral plasticity and can learn from experience. Social learning—copying behaviors from conspecifics—is prevalent in species like guppies, minnows, and cichlids.
Studies have demonstrated that fish can learn safe migration routes, efficient foraging strategies, or avoidance of predators by observing others. In schooling species, individuals often follow experienced group leaders, forming the basis of collective intelligence.
Fish trained in experimental mazes often outperform untrained peers in finding hidden food or avoiding obstacles. In aquaculture and conservation programs, introducing experienced fish into naïve populations has increased survival rates during restocking events.
Habituation and Sensitization
Fish behavior is also influenced by repeated exposure to stimuli. Habituation occurs when a fish stops responding to a non-threatening stimulus over time. For instance, reef fish may ignore divers in frequently visited areas, indicating that they’ve learned the diver is not a threat.
In contrast, sensitization is an increased behavioral response to a stimulus. A fish repeatedly exposed to a predatory cue may become more responsive or even develop chronic stress symptoms. Understanding the balance between these two behavioral adaptations is crucial for interpreting fish behavior in both natural and artificial environments.
Conditioning and Problem Solving
Fish can also undergo classical and operant conditioning. For example, betta fish trained with a visual cue associated with feeding will swim to a particular part of the tank when the cue is presented. In operant conditioning experiments, goldfish have been taught to navigate mazes or trigger feeding mechanisms by pressing levers.
Problem-solving has been observed in tool-using species like the wrasse, which uses rocks to crack open shellfish, or archerfish, which spit jets of water to knock insects off overhanging vegetation. These examples challenge traditional views of fish intelligence and highlight the need for more nuanced research into their cognitive abilities.
Behavioral Disorders and Human Impact
Anthropogenic stressors such as noise pollution, habitat destruction, and overfishing have profound effects on fish behavior. Chronic exposure to low-frequency noise from boats or machinery disrupts communication in species like cod and damselfish, leading to altered mating behavior and reduced reproductive success.
Chemical pollutants—such as heavy metals, endocrine disruptors, and agricultural runoff—interfere with fish neurochemistry and can result in erratic swimming, reduced predator awareness, and abnormal aggression.
In aquaculture, behavioral disorders like fin nipping, stereotypic circling, or surface gasping indicate underlying welfare concerns, often linked to overcrowding, poor water quality, or insufficient enrichment. Monitoring behavioral cues is essential for early detection of stress and disease in managed environments.
Fragmentation and Migration Disruption
Human-made barriers like dams and weirs prevent migratory fish from reaching their breeding grounds. Species such as sturgeon, salmon, and eels show decreased population resilience due to altered migratory behavior.
Behavioral interventions like fish ladders, bypass systems, and acoustic guidance are being implemented to restore natural movement patterns, but their success varies widely based on species and river architecture.
Climate Change and Shifting Behavior
Rising ocean temperatures, acidification, and deoxygenation are reshaping fish behavior on a global scale. Coral bleaching leads to loss of shelter and altered predator-prey dynamics in reef systems. Pelagic fish are shifting distribution toward the poles, and the timing of spawning migrations is becoming increasingly unpredictable.
Some fish species show maladaptive behavior in the face of rapid environmental change—for instance, mis-timed spawning or reduced predator recognition. Understanding these behavioral responses is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies in a changing world.
Conclusion
Fish behavior, once dismissed as simple and purely instinctive, is now recognized as a rich and dynamic field of study that merges biology, psychology, and environmental science. From the collective intelligence of a schooling sardine to the tool use of a wrasse, fish continue to surprise researchers with their adaptability, learning capacity, and complexity.
This four-part exploration has journeyed through the fundamentals of fish behavior, sensory perception, social dynamics, and environmental influence. We’ve seen how temperature, light, and salinity can alter feeding and breeding, how social hierarchies and group behaviors regulate interactions, and how learning and plasticity equip fish to adapt to their environments.
Moreover, as human activities increasingly shape aquatic ecosystems, understanding fish behavior becomes more than an academic exercise—it is a necessary foundation for conservation, aquaculture, and sustainable fisheries management. Behavior is often the first sign of environmental stress and the key to predicting how species may survive or collapse under pressure.
To truly appreciate the aquatic world, we must continue to observe, respect, and decode the actions and reactions of fish beneath the surface. Their world, though alien to us in many ways, holds vital insights into the health of our planet and our relationship with nature.