By Lena and Zoe
As a sharkie and diver on Gili Air you need to know some hand signals to have good communication underwater. Fish signs can be very helpful for many reasons, for instance when your buddy points at a lionfish or a triggerfish to warn you. Or when you are doing a scientific dive and you need to ask if it is a humpback snapper or a grass emperor. Maybe you just want to show your buddie a hawksbill turtle or (if you’re lucky) a blacktip reef shark. So if you want to learn a few of the signs before coming to Gili Matra, this blog entry is for you!
Good to know: There are variations of fish signs in different locations/dive sites around the world. Even in one dive centre, you can find people doing slightly different signs for the same species. The signs you find here are mostly the ones you need to know for your PADI Scientific Diver Certification and the most common species you will find during your dives in Gili Matra.
First you can see the signs for all the species which aren’t part of the indicator species in Gili Matra. After that you can find the signs for the indicator species of Gili Matra: Elasmobranchs (Sharks and Rays), Turtles and Teleostei (Boneyfish) which are differentiated in their different families.
——– Important fish signs to know for any dive ——-
Lionfish
Crisscross your fingers and move your fingers up and down.
Stonefish
Just put out a fist and hope no one wants to fist bump you.
Scorpionfish
With one hand make a fist and with the pointer (index) finger of the other hand sting the fist like a scorpion tail would.
Clownfish
Connect your thumb to your nose and wiggle your fingers. a
Pufferfish
With both hands indicate the movement of a pufferfish blowing up.
Frogfish
Do the penguin waddle on chest-height. a
Triggerfish
Make a handgun movement. a
Octopus
Put a fist on the back of your other hand and mimic the movement of a swimming octopus.
Cuttlefish
Put the back of your hand under your chin and wiggle your fingers. a
Eels
Make a slow eating movement with your hand to mimic an eel opening and closing his mouth.
Trumpetfish
Play the flute on your imaginary pinocchio nose.
Jellyfish
Like the octopus but without the fist on top of the other hand.
——– Elasmobranchs ——–
Whitetip Reef Shark
Point at something white and then do the sign for the shark.
Blacktip Reef Shark
Point at something black and then do the sign for the shark.
Whale Shark
Most of the time you will not need the sign for a Whale Shark since it is huge and very hard to miss. Also you will probably hear underwater screams from your excited dive buddies and see them pointing. Just to make sure, here is the sign for the Whale Shark.
Blue Spotted Stingray
Your one hand forms a fist, while pointing your pointer finger to indicate the tail. With your other hand tap on your left hand to indicate the spots on the Stingray.
Blue Spotted Ribbon Tail Ray
The only difference to the Blue Spotted Stingray is that you leave your middle and pointer finger out of the fist and cross those two to indicate the ribbon tail.
Manta Ray
Be an angel and spread your wings.
——– Turtles ——–
Hawksbill Turtle
There are two symbols for hawksbill turtle. The first one is to make a beak with your hand either making a big nose gesture (as seen below) or placing the back of your hand on your nose with the fingers hanging down. The second symbol is rubbing your belly with one hand, as hawksbill turtles are always hungry! Then after one of these signs make the turtle symbol, with is one hand placed on top of the other hand with both thumbs moving in a circular motion.
or
Green Turtle
Make a sleeping symbol with your two hands, using them as a pillow to rest your head. Then do the turtle symbol, placing one hand on top of the other and moving both thumbs in a circular motion.
——– Teleostei——–
Snapper
Snappers symbol is clicking your fingers together and always with a bit of sass
Humpback Snapper
Firstly create the humpback symbol with one hand (making it into a curved spoon) and doing a curving motion over the hand. Then give the snapper symbol, clicking with some sass.
Midnight Snapper
Create the midnight symbol by putting your hand horizontal and cover your eyes. Then give the snapper symbol, clicking with some sass.
One-spot Snapper
Hold up one finger to symbolise the one spot. Then give the snapper symbol, clicking with some sass.
Blubber Lip Snapper
Blubber lip is symbolised by with one finger placing it horizontally in front of your mouth, and then moving it in an up and down motion to symbolise jiggling the lips. Then give the snapper symbol, clicking with some sass.
Red Snapper
Firstly with one finger make an tear drop symbol, so moving the finger from the bottom of your eye to the cheek. This is done as red snappers have a teardrop marking on their face. Then give the snapper symbol, clicking with some sass.
Groupers
The groupers symbol is slightly dated, it is still however the symbol used. Maybe you can be the one to change it?! To explain it make a bear claw shape with one hand as seen below.
Yellow-edged Lyretail Grouper
For this fish, firstly point at something yellow. Then make a crescent shape with one hand, basically a ‘C’ facing yourself. This symbolises the edge of the caudal fin. Lastly make the bear claw for the grouper symbol.
White-edged lyretail Grouper
For this fish, firstly point at something white (the model in this photo doesn’t tan). Then make a crescent shape with one hand, basically a ‘C’ facing yourself. This symbolises the edge of the caudal fin. Lastly make the bear claw for the grouper symbol.
Peacock Grouper
There is an error in the photo here, the first picture is showing the symbol for octopus not peacock. I hope you guys don’t make the same mistake! You are going to have to use your imagination 😊. Start with a fist with one hand, then at the back of the fist where you see the finger and thumb spiral place your other hand giving the full high-five with all fingers pointing up. The fist represents the peacock head and then the fingers shows the dispersing tail. Lastly make the bear claw for the grouper symbol.
Coral Grouper
Coral can be symbolised with your palm facing the sky and then contracting your fingers in like the bear claw. Lastly make the bear claw for the grouper symbol.
Camouflage Grouper
Camouflage grouper can be symbolised by drawing two lines on your cheek with two fingers. Moving the fingers from the nose outwards (towards the outer face). Lastly make the bear claw for the grouper symbol.
Emperors
On to the next group of fish! Emperor fish are classy fish, and so the hand symbol for them is making a headset with your hand. Place the back of your hand on your forehead, have all fingers facing upwards, and the thumb and the pinky slightly brought inwards, as if they were about to touch each other (but not super close). Hope that makes sense 😊
Long Face Emperor
First do the long face symbol, which is mimicking having a long face. Pull your hand away from your face, as if you were making the symbol for Pinocchio and having a long nose. Then do the emperor symbol, place the back of your hand on your forehead, have all fingers facing upwards, and the thumb and the pinky slightly brought inwards, as if they were about to touch each other (but not super close).
Grass Emperor
Grass is shown by facing your hand in a high five position and then wiggling the fingers a little. Then do the emperor symbol, place the back of your hand on your forehead, have all fingers facing upwards, and the thumb and the pinky slightly brought inwards, as if they were about to touch each other (but not super close).
Hump Nose Big Eyed Beam
Despite the long name, this fish is only signed with two symbols, keeping it easy. Make a fist and place it in front of your nose. Then move the fist to your eye. Its that simple.
Yellowfin Emperor
Another one of the emperor family, point at something yellow like your alternate regulator. If you want to be extra fancy then you can point at your fins, however usually people know what you mean.Then do the emperor symbol, place the back of your hand on your forehead, have all fingers facing upwards, and the thumb and the pinky slightly brought inwards, as if they were about to touch each other (but not super close).
Yellow Lip Emperor
Similar point at something yellow. After that point at your lips, I know a lot of pointing. Then do the emperor symbol, place the back of your hand on your forehead, have all fingers facing upwards, and the thumb and the pinky slightly brought inwards, as if they were about to touch each other (but not super close).
Thumbprint Emperor
Firstly show your thumb to your buddy. Then do the emperor symbol, place the back of your hand on your forehead, have all fingers facing upwards, and the thumb and the pinky slightly brought inwards, as if they were about to touch each other (but not super close).
Trevally
Moving on to another type of fish the TREVALLY. They are very funky. The symbol for them is closing your hand and only showing your pinky. Then with your pinky point it up and make a J symbol, a backwards J.
Blue trevally
Strangely blue trevally is just symbolised with the normal trevally symbol, so as before, the symbol for them is closing your hand and only showing your pinky. Then with your pinky point it up and make a J symbol, a backwards J.
Blue Fin Emperor
Firstly point at your fin (once is fine, we got a little carried away ahaha). The symbol for them is closing your hand and only showing your pinky. Then with your pinky point it up and make a J symbol, a backwards J.
Black Jack Trevally
Blackjack is shown naturally by playing cards and throwing them like you have many. Put your palm our and flick cards off with your wrist. The symbol for them is closing your hand and only showing your pinky. Then with your pinky point it up and make a J symbol, a backwards J.
Giant Trevally
Make a giant symbol with your hands showing just how BIG. The symbol for them is closing your hand and only showing your pinky. Then with your pinky point it up and make a J symbol, a backwards J.
Double Spot Queenfish
As a queen should they have a special sign. Make two dots with your two index fingers on your hands. Then making a crown on your head, because you are a queen. And blow bubbles through it.
Mackerel
On to the mackerel! Use your hands to show opening a tin (sorry to all non-meat eaters). One hand will be the tin and the other, is basically a spade cracking into the tin.
Double Line Mackerel
Draw double lines with two fingers. Then do the mackerel symbol one hand will be the tin and the other, is basically a spade cracking into the tin.
Long Jaw Mackerel
Show a long jaw by framing your own jaw and then extending the hand motion. Then do the mackerel symbol one hand will be the tin and the other, is basically a spade cracking into the tin.
Narrow Barred Spanish Mackerel
It’s a Spanish mackerel so of course the guitar is out, hand gesture playing the guitar. Then do the mackerel symbol one hand will be the tin and the other, is basically a spade cracking into the tin.
Barracuda
On to the barracudas, section your arm into three parts. Highlighting the lines on the barracuda.
Pick Handle Barracuda
Firstly use your hand to show you pick axing (like in Minecraft). Move your hand in a forward and backwards motion. For the barracuda symbol section your arm into three parts. Highlighting the lines on the barracuda.
Black Fin Barracuda
Point at something black, like your big LPI hose. If you want to you can also point at your fins for classification, which I like to do. For the barracuda symbol section your arm into three parts. Highlighting the lines on the barracuda.
Great Barracuda
Make the great symbol again, how big can you go? For the barracuda symbol section your arm into three parts. Highlighting the lines on the barracuda.
Napolean Wrasse
Napolean Wrasse have shockingly a Napolean symbol, I know amazing. Do a salute symbol and we will know.
Bump Head Parrotfish
These guys have two symbols because they are that cool. Firstly symbolise the bump, so place a fist on your forehead. Then you can either show were the parrot would be placed or you can cover one eye like a pirate.
or
Hope this is useful! Enjoy learning all the symbols, and more excitingly spotting all the fish. Find plentiful amounts of them.
