Behaviors
Hunting Lionfish while Collecting Trash
Image Posted on
If you ever get the chance to dive in Key Largo, I can’t recommend Rainbow Reef dive shop enough. They make sure to tell everyone on the dive boat to treat the reef like the museum, which means don’t touch anything and pick up trash! During this dive, my dive guide not only managed to hunt down two invasive lionfish, but also he towed a fishing net that someone had lost back up to the surface, thus ensuring that no fish or turtles would get caught in the net needlessly. Rainbow Reef also has free reef-safe sunscreen for you on their boat – class act!
Regrowing Coral
Image Posted on Updated on
In an effort to restore the staghorn coral population in Curacao, volunteers have planted and are monitoring these coral nurseries. http://coralrestorationcuracao.org/
Coral Bleaching
Image Posted on Updated on
This is what coral bleaching looks like. The bottom rim is a skeletal version of its healthier self. As a result of climate change ocean temperatures have increased. Two degrees Celsius may not seem like a lot, but for marine life, including this coral, it’s like living with a constant fever. Learn more and take action: https://www.chasingcoral.com/take-action/
Egg Sack
I am not quite sure what this is, but it appears to be either an egg sack or maybe a Parrotfish’s mucus sack.
Roatan, Honduras (Canyon Reef) – 3/26/2016
Hooked :(
This poor Mutton Snapper has to live with being hooked.
Roatan, Honduras (Turtle Crossing) – 3/26/2016
Hitching a Ride
Cozumel, Mexico (San Clamente) – 5/9/2015
This Bar Jack camouflaged himself in black and hitched a ride on this Yellow Stingray as it made its way through the seagrass.
Sand Diver Defending Territory or Courtship Behavior
Sand Divers
Cozumel, Mexico (Hotel Cozumel & Resort Jetty) – 5/8/2015
We saw these Sand Divers sit like this for several minutes before they quickly separated and went back to their perches. We tried to research this behavior, but couldn’t find anything. Our best guess is that they are defending their territory or engaging in courtship behavior.
Sand Tilefish builds a nest
Sand Tilefish builds a nest
Cozumel, Mexico (Yucab Reef & Hotel Cozumel & Resort Jetty) – 5/7/2015
We watched this Sand Tilefish tirelessly build his burrow using coral rubble for a good part of the dive!
Sand Tilefish are susceptible to Black Spot Disease. It is often found in the water covered with black spots, often so severe that the fish’s coloration appears black, likely because of changes in the water’s ecosystem dynamic. Read More: https://tropicalecologyblog.wordpress.com/2016/05/23/black-spot-disease-in-sand-tilefish-and-other-species/
Sergeant Major Guarding its Eggs
Sergeant Major Guarding its Eggs
Islamorada, Florida Keys (Ham) – 10/9/2014
Coral Grouper – Getting a Cleaning
Coral Grouper Getting a Cleaning (with Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse)
Raja Ampat, Indonesia (Mois Kon) – 4/14/2014
Bicolor Cleaner Wrasses with Blue-Barred Parrotfish- Initial Phase
Bicolor Cleaner Wrasses with Blue-Barred Parrotfish- Initial Phase
Raja Ampat, Indonesia (Sorido Bay Jetty) – 4/12/2014
Dash-Dot Goatfish looking for food
Dash-Dot Goatfish looking for food
Raja Ampat, Indonesia (5 Rocks) – 4/11/2014
This goatfish is using its barbs on its chin to dig up the sand to find food .
Banded Coral Shrimp Cleaning a Giant Moray
Image Posted on Updated on
Banded Coral Shrimp Cleaning a Giant Moray
Raja Ampat, Indonesia (Cape Kri) – 4/7/2014
waterlogged 