A Diver's Up-Close and Personal Daily Interaction with the Most Adorable Smiling Porcupine Fish
Yuki Nakano is a freediver and underwater photographer based in Hawaii. Her work allows her to encounter a variety of sea creatures, including sea turtles and dolphins.
Naturally, Nakano prefers to keep her distance from them to avoid causing any disturbance. However, there is one particular porcupine fish that has become fond of Nakano and is very friendly.
This porcupine fish ensures that Nakano gets a close look at him and is not afraid of being in close proximity to her. Their first interaction occurred when Nakano was snorkeling in Oahu.
At first glance, she noticed that there was some sort of injury to the fish's right eye...
Although the fish does not appear to be bothered by the diver, due to the injury, he was unable to swim straight.
Nakano realized that the wound on the fish's eye looked quite new. She explained;
“When I first saw him, I wondered why he was staying in the same place, even though he would normally swim away.”
The next day, Nakano returned to check on the fish.
She found him in the same spot as the previous day. Even with his impaired vision, the fish did not seem to have any trouble recognizing the diver.
He gave Nakano a big toothy smile when he saw her.
Sometime later, Nakano went back to the same spot to meet her fish friend.
Unfortunately, he was not there, which left Nakano worried about him. However, she hoped that he was fine wherever he was. She also wished that, if fate allowed, they would meet again one day soon. She said;
“I met him for several days, and then he suddenly disappeared. I believed and waited to see him again.”
Only three months had passed since Nakano last found him at their usual meeting point when one day the impossible happened.
Nakano was overwhelmed with happiness, saying, “His eye wounds have healed significantly, and he started smiling. I was so happy that he came back, and I whispered from my heart, ‘Welcome back! I've been waiting for you.’”
Since Nakano has shared her encounters and delightful pictures and videos of the adorable porcupine fish, her following has increased manyfold.
Her followers admire and are truly impressed by the fish's expressions. Her friendly “just keep swimming” attitude and that cute toothy smile have won many hearts.
Nakano remarked, “He makes everyone happy. I like to think he is now the most famous Hawaiian fish.”
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