Alexander Springs Page 2

The temperature of the water coming out of the spring is 72 Degrees Fahrenheit year round. The air temperature when this was taken was in the high 40's Fahrenheit.

The cave.

Not a cave as cave divers know them, but a cave all the same.

This large blue crab Callinectes sapidus, was at the cave entrance, nearly 30 feet down.

Here she put down her food to wave. What a friendly crab.

Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides. I am not a fisherman, but there are some impressive lunkers in and around the Spring. The big ones are very wary, but then you don't get to be a big fish by being stupid.

Striped Mullet Mugil cephalus.

Tilapia  Oreochromis aureus are often seen in the Spring.

Bluegills converge on helpless diver like toothless piranhas. Evidently they get fed from time to time, because as soon as they saw me I was surrounded. When no food materialized they went back about their business.

A Bowfin Amia calva.

Large Bowfin.

Some Plecostomus Hypostomus sp. hanging out together. These are an introduced species (one of three Hypostomus introduced in the state)  and I have seen dozens of them out at the same time.

 All of them have been over 12 inches. Most likely smaller ones are present just not as bold as these, perhaps remaining in the eel grass or only venturing out at night.

The record Plecostomus found in Florida was over 27" long. Many in the springs are around 22".

Gar and Me.

The Florida Gar Lepisosteus platyrhincus gets up to 52".

A Needlefish Strongylura sp.

American Shad Alosa sapidissima.

Brown Bullhead Ameiurus nebulosus.

More pictures on Page 3