Dangers Of A Shiny Tail?

[Rett]

Hey guys. So I was thinking about making a sequin tail and was researching it and stuff. I wasnt sure how sparkly a sequin tail would be versus just shiny and something hit me: Sharks are actually attracted to the glint of scales in water (thats one of the ways they find their prey). In fact, the loss of pro surfer Bethany Hamilton's arm is mostly believed to be due to the glint of her watch-face in the water. Has anyone else thought abut how dangerous it might be to swim in a tail like this in the ocean? I know the odds of a shark-attack are low, but would they be dramatically increased if we start wearing the shiny attribute of a shark's favorite meal?

[Mermaid Mystery]

I don't know a whole lot about this, but Hannah Fraser swam with sharks in a sequin tail once


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[Theta]

I don't know a whole lot about this, but Hannah Fraser swam with sharks in a sequin tail once


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She also got bitten by one, iirc. Luckily it bit her fluke and not her legs.

Shinyness might be something to consider if you're going to be doing a lot of swimming in the open ocean, but a lot of the Hawaiian mers have sequin tails and don't seem to have problems.

[MermaidAine]

I have wondered about this myself.

[Mermaid Enora]

I've wondered too. Esp since I have a very sparkly sequin tail. I've done one ocean photo shoot but not in deep water. I guess I'd just pray that nothing happens.

[Mermaid Enora]

Although thinking about it more piebalding usually signals that something is wrong with this fish. ie it's diseased or sick and so usually predators leave that alone. I don't know if the spots on my tail would deter a shark though. ??

[Mermaid Wesley]

With Hannah, she got one little nibble while swimming in a group of sharks for an extended period of time. Its really not like its going to attract sharks, but if you're swimming WITH sharks, sparkly isn't ideal. Again though, it was a little nibble and as soon as the shark tasted the tail it basically said: eww thats not fish and swam away. SO that being said, lower risk factors in a sequin tail and you will be fine. :)

[Ashe]

I think I remember this being discussed ages ago, so I'm glad it's being brought back around again. It's something everyone should research just a bit if they plan on ocean swimming.

[Echidna]

I think I remember this being discussed ages ago.

me too. Think it was in Tailswimming.

My opinion: less sparkle and no bright colours is probably better for ocean swimming.

Although some sharks gobble up anything that will fit in their mouths (floating debris and buoys have been found in shark stomachs), and there is always the danger that even if a shark isn't hungry, it will find you (a new thing) interesting and do a test bite.

Most sharks will leave after a test bite on a human (not tasty), but the victim often misses a limb and if lucky, doesn't bleed to death before they reach shore.

It's a risk I personally wouldn't take, but there is the shark-hugging faction out there who firmly believe it's not luck, but their pro behaviour that renders sharks completely and utterly safe, sooo...each their own. ;)

Edit: it also depends on species, you should be good around small(er) sharks.
Careful around reef and mako, tiger, bull and great white.

[Mermaid Galene]

I have only worn a fabric tail when swimming in the ocean. I find it much easier to deal with currents, sand, etc, in fabric; I save my sequined tail for lakes or pools. And I also would rather err on the side of caution with sharks. As Echidna said, that one little test bite by a curious shark could be a mermaid's undoing!

[Gem Stone]

Also, color helps. Sharks tend to stay near the surface where reds and yellows stand out, so if your tail is blue/green/black then you're less likely to be seen as food. Also, shallow waters are more prone to shark attack, murky waters are the most dangerous because they can't see you very clearly. Some off shore predatory fish are very shiny, King fish for example, barracuda as well.
Yes, it has occurred to me that my new tail is bright yellow, but I'm going to be off shore and with others, and (no offense to fish lovers everywhere) I will have a dive knife on me because this mer is not having bite scars on my tail. The deeper you go, the less likely you are to be bitten though, as sharks tend to feed nearer to the surface. Also, don't swim around people fishing or spearfishing, as thrashing fish and blood will draw them in.
Also, you can always punch the nose/gills/eyes if you have to
but shiny things tend to make you more attractive to fish, like barracuda instead of sharks

[AniaR]

Hannah used her painted fabric tails for certain breeds she said at merfest. She couldn't use her tails at all with the tiger sharks.

[Merman Dan]

Also, color helps. Sharks tend to stay near the surface where reds and yellows stand out, so if your tail is blue/green/black then you're less likely to be seen as food.
I guess I'm dinner, then, especially since my tail is patterned after a gamefish. ;)