Aquatic Affection: How a Scuba Diver Found a Good Friend Under the Sea

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Published 2017-06-14

Scuba diver Hiroyuki Arakawa and Yoriko are the unlikeliest of friends. While they both share a love for the sea, Yoriko's gills and tail make her a little more aquatically inclined. Nearly every day for the past 25 years, Arakawa has been diving into the waters of Hasama Underwater Park in Tateyama, Japan, to visit Yoriko—an Asian sheepshead wrasse. One day, Arakawa found her looking exhausted and carrying an injury. So he did what any friend would do: he took care of Yoriko, feeding her crabs and nursing her back to health. Their decades-long friendship is proof there's no greater bond than the one between man and fish.

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All Comments (21)

@PlayMoGame 7 years ago

Those other fish are like "How was your visit with your boooooyfrieeeend??"
@juliselias1205 7 years ago

I love these type of videos on how animals and humans can have such close bonds, just as me and my pet rock
@wastucar8127 7 years ago

Whats sad is how one day that mans not gonna come back... And the fish wont know or understand
@c-power8393 3 years ago

The fact that he is 79 years old diving is an accomplishment itself....👏🏽
@cutezangelz 7 years ago

Studio ghibli needs to make a film inspired by this story
@lily-hk1gk 11 months ago

I read an ariticle about them a year ago and they are both still alive and he is 84 and diving almost everyday. God bless him!
@Uncerten 7 years ago

Pixar could not design a more charming old man, and his story fits too.
@ChuckKeough 7 years ago

Humanity at its finest.. Give love and receive love.
@BrianVelez 4 years ago

Wow! 30 years of friendship. That’s amazing 😄
@maharao3446 7 years ago

Yoriko is like the gatekeeper of the underwater shrine gate sent by God....and its so magically beautiful that it bought tears to my eyes .
@BrosMinecraft2 3 years ago

When he said he was proud of saving that fish, I felt his pride.
@claytondefreitaslima1169 7 years ago

amazing video, but i feel sorry for the person he's talking about in 1:26
@DeadBlonde_80 1 year ago

This man is a gift to the world. I hope he’s still alive and well.
@coconutmilch2351 11 months ago

30 years of friendship with a fish is amazing. Humans (some humans) are keen on forging friendships with animals I feel but it’s awesome that animals want to reciprocate
@Aurelion_Cole 7 years ago

Favorite fucking youtube channel... great video
@enchantingghoul 4 years ago

“I have an amazing sense of accomplishment in my heart.” Truly something special
@ionagibbs1192 4 years ago

"when you look close, you'll think its someone you know" everyone the guy knows: 👁️👄👁️
@ryanmcdowell2326 7 years ago

Just a reminder that Ash Catchem has been 11 for a long time.
@brock3805 4 years ago

Wow this guy was almost 80 in video and still looked very comfortable scuba diving, just goes to show how important taking care of your body is. My Dad can barely walk at 60 and it hurts so much too see
@skyrocketcoast219 3 years ago

Bless him a thousand times over for caring for that delightful creature