Cindy Belkowiche, director of the Pennington Marine Science Center on Catalina Island, knows the underwater world surrounding the island incredibly well. She frequently explores the cool waters of Southern California, where she encounters everything from colorful fish and sharks to fascinating sea cucumbers.
But when she recently heard that fellow divers had discovered a long-spine porcupinefish near Catalina Island, she could hardly believe it.
These unusual, round-bodied fish are generally found in much warmer tropical waters. Seeing one swimming off the California coast was an unexpected surprise.
Belkowiche soon realized that the mysterious visitor had probably arrived because of El Niño, a climate pattern that can raise ocean temperatures along the Southern California coast. With warmer water moving into the region, tropical marine animals sometimes venture farther north than usual.
Eager to witness the rare visitor firsthand, Belkowiche grabbed her diving gear and headed underwater with her colleague, Sophie.
For the first 15 minutes, there was no sign of the porcupinefish. Just as Belkowiche was beginning to lose hope, something small and round caught her attention.
Suddenly, there he was — an adorable little fish resembling a football, calmly swimming along the ocean floor.
The two divers were so excited that they began screaming underwater.
Instead of swimming away, the curious porcupinefish seemed perfectly comfortable with his unexpected audience.
He casually explored the sandy bottom, moving between patches of algae while the divers watched in amazement.
At one point, the tiny visitor even approached Belkowiche’s camera and gently bumped into it.
The group spent around 10 unforgettable minutes observing the fish as he continued exploring his surroundings.
Belkowiche believes the unusual traveler may have made his way north from Baja California, Mexico, near the northern edge of the species’ typical range.
And this adorable porcupinefish isn’t the only tropical visitor showing up around Catalina Island.
Divers have also reported sightings of hammerhead sharks, spinetail devil rays and several sea turtles — animals whose appearances in the area may be influenced by changing ocean conditions.
For now, these unexpected visitors appear to be temporary guests rather than permanent residents. Whether warmer waters will encourage them to remain in Southern California is still uncertain.
But regardless of where the little porcupinefish travels next, he has already left a lasting impression on Belkowiche.
After countless dives around Catalina Island, Belkowiche considers this encounter one of her most memorable underwater experiences.
What began as a search for an unusual tropical fish turned into an extraordinary moment with a curious little ocean traveler who had wandered far from home.
And sometimes, the smallest surprises beneath the waves create the biggest memories.