For images of many of the reef creatures listed here visit the Bio 394 Reef Set homepage.

Compiled by Joel Britson:

1. Common names: Barracuda
2. Sphyraena barracuda
3. Sphyraenidae
4. Silver. long, cylindrical body, large underslung jaw, pointed teeth often obvious.
5. Have attacked people but are not normally dangerous unless provoked or if you have a dead fish on you.
Implicated in ciguatera fish poisoningófood poisoning caused by dinoflagellates and bio-magnification.
Opportunistic predators.
Are not nocturnal but have been seen on nights with full moon, most likely taking advantage of the extra light to extend their hunting hours, they usually rest at night but a diverís light can wake them.Will drift around reef in small groups, but also solitary. Barracuda open and close their mouth to assist in respiration. Also will often approach divers and follow them about the reef, but only to satisfy their curiosity. The only reports of unprovoked attacks invloved spear fishing. Will move away if closely aproached.
Dr Walter Starck, who conducted a lengthy (and groundbreaking) study of the nocturnal activity of fishes at Alligator Reef in the Florida Keys, recounts one instance where a great barracuda was so startled by divers' lights that it accelerated into a portion of the reef and was killed. (http://www.uga.edu/cuda/twilight.html)

1. Common names: Trumpet Fish
2. Aulostomus maculatus
3. Aulostomidae
4. Long, thin body, trumpet-like mouth
5. Master in changing body color to blend with the background, most common color phase is brown to reddish brown; can be blue-gray, bright yellow or many shades between.
Often seen in horn-like corals in a head down position.
Mouth opens to diameter of body to suck in prey.
A solitary ambusher of small fishes and crustaceans that lurk among branching coral or gorgogonians.
Often swims behind large herbivorous fishes to sneak up on prey.

1. Common names: Spotted Drum
2. Equetus punctatus
3. Sciaenidae
4. Often found in pairs under ledges, anterior black with white stripes, posterior black with white spots. Rear dorsal and tail fins black with white spots in the teminal phase. Front dorsal fin unusually long, black and white bars on head and long black stripe from dorsal fin to tail. About 6-9 inches in length, 11 inches maximum.
5. Can vibrate its swim bladders and produce a low pitched drum-like sound.
Juveniles are seen swimming in circular motions. Feeds at night on crabs, shrimps, and polychaetes. Inhabit secluded areas of the reef, often under ledges or near the entrances to small caves. Usually swim in established circuitous patterns, feed in open at night. Can be closely approached with slow, non-threatening movements. Found from about 15-100 feet in depth.

1. Common names: Black Grouper
2. M.ycteroperca bonaci
3. Serranidae
4. Olive or gray body coloration with black blotches and brassy spots; gently rounded preopercle
5. Young predominantly female, transforming into males as they grow larger.
Larger individuals generally in greater depths.
Feeds on fish and squid.

1. Common names: Tiger Grouper
2. Mycteroperca tigris
3. Serranidae
4. Covered in brown/yellow spots around the mouth, pale strips on back.
5. Catches its prey by finding a hiding place in the reef and then waiting patiently for an unsuspecting small fish to swim nearby. Then, with a quick lunge, it opens its jaws to swallow its meal in an easy gulp. Often be found hiding among coral and sponges,. Start out their lives as females, but change to males once they reach a length of around 40 cm. The Tiger Grouper's back is crossed with a unique pattern of around 11 pale narrow lines sloping forward and down that can be used in identification. Common in the Bahamas and West Indies

1. Common names: Nassau Grouper
2. Epinephelus striatus
3. Serranidae
4. Color light background with brown or red-brown bars on sides; stripe in shape of tuning fork on forehead; third spine of dorsal longer than second ; pelvic fins shorter than pectorals; black dots around the eyes; large black saddle on caudal peduncle.
5. It is believed that adult female groupers can transform to become males in certain circumstances.
The Nassau grouper can camouflage itself by changing its body color to match its surrounding environment. During spawning courtship, it has four distinct color phases, some of which look nothing like the normal adult coloration.
Groupers are generally loners except when they aggregate to spawn.
Nassau groupers will often let divers get close to them and touch them.
All harvest of this species is prohibited.

1. Common names: Christmas Tree Tube Worm
2. Genus, species: Spirobranchus giganteus
3. Family name: Serpulidae
4. Unique characteristics: Tree like form, bright colors, looks like a Christmas tree
5. Three interesting facts:
-Easily disturbed, which makes them difficult to approach
-Worm is anchored into its burrow (hole in the coral)
-The branching radioles are used to catch phytoplankton http://www.oceanlight.com/lightbox.php?sp=Spirobranchus%20sp.

1. Common names: Feather Duster Tube Worm
2. Genus, species: Eudistylia polymorpha
3. Family name: Sabellidae
4. Unique characteristics: looks like a feather duster, even looks like feathers with brown and white streaks
5. Three interesting facts:
-resides in "leather like" tube
-about 5 inches tall
-found in areas that are rich in coral robble

1. Common names: Fire Coral
2. Genus, species: Millepora alcicornis, complanata, squarrosa
3. Family name: Milleporidae
4. Unique characteristics: look like stony corals, white tips or edges
5. Three interesting facts:
-Not really coral
-Have nematocysts (hydrozoans)
-If in contact, rinse with sea water/vinegar and remove tentacles with tweezer
-Sometimes look like dead coral

1. Common names: Four eye Butterflyfish
2. Genus, species: Chaetodon capistratus
3. Family name: Chaetodontidae
4. Unique characteristics: Big black spot on caudal fin, V lines on side of body
5. Three interesting facts:
-Mate for life, usually see two of them
-If you picture the fish nose to nose, they look like a butterfly
-Use their nose to peck into crevices and grab invertebrates

1. Common names: Spotfin Butterflyfish
2. Genus, species: Chaetodon ocellatus
3. Family name: Chaetodontidae
4. Unique characteristics: yellow outlining, black streak through eye, tiny black spot on dorsal fin
5. Three interesting facts:
-very difficult to see black spot in its dorsal fin
-likes to eat sea anemones and tube worms
-can be seen in small groups of 4 and 5

1. Common names: Banded Butterflyfish
2. Genus, species: Chaetodon striatus
3. Family name: Chaetodontidae
4. Unique characteristics: vertical black bands, mostly white and black
5. Three interesting facts:
-Moray eels and sharks love them
-juvenilles look completely different then adults, young have black spot on their dorsal fin.
-diurnal, only see them during the day

Common Name: Chromis
Species, Genus: Chromis cyaneus & Chromis multilineata
Family: Pomacentridae
Characteristics: Blue chromis are a very bright blue, with a deeply forked tail trimmed in black. Brown: vary from brownish-gray to olive brown. They usually have a yellow spot located below their last dorsal fin. They also have a dark spot around base of the pectoral fin.
Facts: 1) Usually found in midwater, above the reefs
2)May swim in loose groups with blue chromis
3) Swim away to the bottom when disturbed
4) Eat mainly zooplankton
5) Swims in schools

References: http://core.ecu.edu/biol/nortons/NCFishes/BonyFish/Pomacentridae/BlueChromis/BlueChromis.html
http://www.csulb.edu/depts/biology/marine/species/Brown_Chromis.html_f/Brown_Chromis.html

1.Common name: Sand diver / Lizardfish
2. Genus, species: Synodus infermedius
3. Family name: Synodontidae
4. Characteristics: Cigar-shaped body with large pectoral fins and large mouth. Dark spot on upper gill cover, thin yellow body stripes
5. Facts: 1) Habitat is likely to be offshore sand or sandy patches in reefs from 3-320m in depth
2) The lizardfish is an ambush predator (feed on small fish and crustaceans)
3) Master of camouflage, doesn't move until approached
Reference: http://core.ecu.edu/biol/nortons/NCFishes/BonyFish/Synodontidae/SandDiver/SandDiver.html

1. Common name: Blackbar soldier fish
2. Genus, Species: Myripristis jacobus
3. Family Name: Holocentridae
4. Characeristics: They are bright red in color, and have a single black bar (verical stripe) on their gill. They are about 6 inches in length.
5. Facts: 1) Their large eyes allow for night vision (night hunting)
2) The blue water in the ocean filters out red light, making them invisible at night
3) They are found hiding in crevices and holes during the day, and hunting at night. They are nocturnal.
4) often swim upside-down under cave ceilings
References: http://www.csulb.edu/depts/biology/marine/species/Blackbar_Soldierfish.html_f/Blackbar_Soldierfish.html
http://www.reefnews.com/reefnews/photos/blkbar.html

1. Common Name: Longspine squirrel fish
2. Genus, species: Holocentrus marianus
3. Family: Holocentridae
4. Characteristics: white triangular pattern at the tips of the dorsal fins/spines, red in color
5. Facts: 1) Night feeder
2) Grunts when fighting
3) Makes a staccato noise when predators are close
Reference: http://www.csulb.edu/depts/biology/marine/species/Longspine_Squirrelfish.html_f/Longspine_Squirrelfish.html

1. Common Name: Azure vase sponge
2. Genus, Species: Callyspongia plicifera
3. Family: Callyspongiidae
4. Characteristics: fluorescent blue, to purple/pink in color
5. Facts: 1) Grow to be from 6-8 inches
2) Inhabit coral reefs, can grow solitary or in groups of 2 or 3
3) Depth ranges from 20-75 feet
Reference: http://www.utrd.com/azurvase01.htm
http://sn2000.taxonomy.nl/Main/Classification/11405.ht

Pictures: http://www.fishbase.org/Photos/ThumbnailsSummary.cfm?ID=2649
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ophichthidae.htm
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=2649&genusname=Myrichthys&speciesname=breviceps
http://www.fishid.com/learnctr/morays.htm

1. Common Name: Green Moray Eel
2. Genus, Species:Gymnothorax funebris
3. Family: Muraenidae
4. Characteristics: These animals average 5-6 feet in length, with a max of 8 feet, 2.5 inches long and 27 lbs.. They are actually a blue-gray color, but a yellow/green mucous coating, which is poisonous, causes them to look green. They have a long, slender head and mouth with many sharp teeth. Similiar to spotted moray but have two rows of teeth, not one row.
5. Facts: The Green Morays inhibit the Atlantic waters from New Jersey to Brazil, and they feed mostly on fish and small crustaceans. They hide in cracks and holes in coral reefs, and can be very dangerous to humans if provoked. Mature eels are able to travel on land and can survive out of water for up to four hours. Eels are adapted to tie their bodies into knots to tear at their food. Green Morays are the largest species and most frequently seen.

Pictures: http://www.whozoo.org/Intro99/dougherty/jimdmoray.htm
http://www.gotosnapshot.com/green-moray/green-moray-cat.html

1. Common Name: Spotted Moray Eel
2. Genus, Species:Gymnothorax moringa
3. Family: Muraenidae (moray)
4. Characteristics: The Spotted Moray has a pattern of round, splotchy, overlapping brown to purple spots on a pale yellow or white background. It is from 2 to 4 feet in length and has a long, slender head.
5. Facts: It is found in the Western Atlantic and Caribbean in shallow rocky or grassy areas of coral reefs. It is a solitary species, and its bite can be very dangerous to humans if it is provoked. It sticks it head out of holes and openings, and constantly opens and closes its mouth for respiration. Inhabit shallow reefs, areas of rocky rubble and grass beds, hide during the day in recesses, heads often extend from openings. Feed in open at night. Usually allow close approach of divers before withdrawing. Found from about 6-40 feet in depth.

Pictures: http://www.gotosnapshot.com/spotted-moray/spotted-moray-cat.html

1. Common Name: Frogfish-Long lure
2. Genus, Species: Antennarius multiocellatus
3. Family: Antennariidae
4. Characteristics: Loose, prickly skin. Limb-like pectoral fins with an elbow-like joint. Large, upward mouth. This frogfish can be found in many colors, form yellow, to brown, to red. It has an illicium that is twice as long as its second spine in between its eyes and a dark spot under its dorsal fin. It is usually about 11 centimeters, with a max size of 20 cm. It has 11 to 12 dorsal soft rays and 6-7 anal soft rays. It has prickly skin and a large, upward mouth.
5. Facts: This fish lives in the shallow reefs of the Western and Eastern Atlantic and mimics sponges of the reefs. It feeds mainly of fishes and crustaceans, and uses its color phases for camouflage. Capable of swallowing prey as large as themselves. First dorsal spine highly modified into a moveable fishing rod, tipped with lure. Lure is wriggled to attract other fishes, which are swallowed whole

Pictures: http://www.starfish.ch/collection/frogfish.html
http://www.starfish.ch/frogfish/Genus.html#multiocellatus
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=3084&genusname=Antennarius&speciesname=multiocellatus

1. Common Name: Goldentail Moray Eel
2. Genus, Species: Gymnothorax miliaris
3. Family: Muraenidae
4. Characteristics: Found in the Western and Eastern Atlantic, along with some of the mid-Atlantic Islands, this eel is dark brown with many yellow dots, getting larger as they go from the head to the tail. It is very stout with a short blunt stout and a gold tail. Its maximum size is 70 cm.
5. Facts: The Goldentail Moray is a benthic and solitary species that lives in coral reefs and rocky shorelines. It is usually found at depths of 60 meters, and it is harmless to humans.

Pictures: http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?genusname=Gymnothorax&speciesname=miliaris

1. Common Name: Rose Coral
2. Genus, Species: Manicina areolata
3. Family: Faviidae
4. Characteristics: This stony coral, found mostly in marine communities, is characterized by low growth and small colony size. It resembles a flower with its worm-like projections with indents covering them. It can be described as colonial, and is typically found on 2-25 meter deep hard bottom communities.
5. Facts: This coral is sedentary and found near shore. It is especially susceptible to bleaching, and is found mostly in the tropical Western Atlantic. The Rose Coral has low sensitivity to environmental disturbances and sedimentation, and has a high salinity tolerance.

Pictures: http://porites.geology.uiowa.edu/database/corals/systemat/mareolat.htm
http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=MANICINA+AREOLATA

References
Nature Serve Explorer:
http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=MANICINA+AREOLATA

Neogene Marine Biota of Tropical America:
http://porites.geology.uiowa.edu/database/corals/systemat/mareolat.htm

Fishbase:
http://www.fishbase.org/

Starfish:
http://www.starfish.ch/frogfish/Genus.html#multiocellatus

Herb Segar's Photography:
http://www.gotosnapshot.com/spotted-moray/spotted-moray-cat.html

Who Zoo:
http://www.whozoo.org/Intro99/dougherty/jimdmoray.htm

Marine Life Learning Center:
http://www.fishid.com/learnctr/morays.htm

Wet Web Media:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ophichthidae.htm

1. Common Name: Cactus Coral
2. Genus, Species: Pavona cactus
3. Family: Agariciidae
4. Characteristics: A brown, tan, green, yellow color. Small polyp stony coral.
5. Facts: Slow growing coral. Likes to eat filter feeding invert food, brine shrimp, and micro-plankton a few times per week. Has strong lighting needs and requires strong water flow.

1. Common Name: Queen Angelfish
2. Genus, Species: Holacanthus ciliaris
3. Family: Pomacanthidae
4. Characteristics: Has dark, ringed spot with blue dots on its forehead resembling a crown. More iridescent and has completely yellow tail. Has brilliant blue and yellow color.
5. Facts: Prefers plenty of places to hide and swim. A omnivore and likes to eat marine algae, mysid shrimp, spirulina, and sponges. Found in reefs surrounding offshore islands and is abundant in the carribean. Feed mainly on sponges. All Angelfish are born female. They turn into males when the right time arrives. Each male has a small harem of females and guards a small territory. If the male dies, a new female will change it's sex and become the new male.

1. Common Name: Gray Angelfish
2. Genus, Species: Pomacanthus arcuatus
3. Family: Pomacanthidae
4. Characteristics: Almost gray all over, pattern of white ovals on its scales and fins, light gray face, white mouth, yellow highlights on backs of pectoral fins.
5. Facts: Can turn quickly. Dive to depths of 40 feet. Not as shy as a French or Queen angelfish. Found solitary or in pairs, will approach divers. Feeds on algae, bryozoans, gorgonions, tunicates and seagrass

1. Common Name: French Angelfish
2. Genus, Species: Pomacanthus paru
3. Family: ) Pomacanthidae
4. Characteristics: Colorful blue oval body covered with scales that have a yellow outline. Large dorsal and anal fins. Yellow spot near the eye and at the base of the pectoral fin. Their color tends to fade as they get older. Young Angelfish are black with five transverse yellow bars and Adults are gray with one or two faint white vertical bands, and a white mouth and each scale has a black dot.
5. Facts: Swim with pectoral fins. Can grow to be 16 inches. Dive to depths of 70 feet. Live in the tropical areas of the Atlantic Ocean and the Carribean. They eat sponges. In an aquarium they can be fed lettuce, algae, and other vegetable matter. They also eat fish meat. They have not been successfully breeded in captivity.

1. Common Name: Rock Beauty
2. Genus, Species: Holacanthus tricolor
3. Family: Pomocanthidae
4. Characteristics: Black and yellow coloration. Head and tail bright yellow that creates a
border around a black body. Lips, eyes, margins of dorsal and anal fins are
iridescent blue. Front edge of anal fin and edge of gill cover are orange.
5. Facts: Clear shallow reef habitats of tropical western atlantic ocean. Active during the day and sleep at night. Can grow to be 12 inches. Very territorial.

1. Common Name: Flamingos Tongue
2. Genus, Species: Cyphoma gibbosum
3. Family: Ovulilae
4. Characteristics: Orange and black dots. Colorful snail about 1 inch long. The shell has no spots.
5. Facts: Tissue works like fish's gills, exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide with water to allow snail to breath. Dive depth of 30 feet. Eats coral polyps.

References:
http://store.yahoo.com/marinedepotlive/index.html
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/education/BioProfile.htm

1. Common Name: Stoplight Parrotfish
2. Genus, Species: Sparisoma viride
3. Family: Parrotfish- Scaridae
4. Characteristics: A distinctive, colorful and abundant fish. Young adults and females with scales outlined in darker gray; often bright red below. Supermales green, with bright yellow spot at upper edge of gill cover, yellow bar at base of tail, curved orange-yellow mark on caudal fin rays (Ref. 26938). Initial phase fish with a brown head, the scales of the upper two-thirds of the body with pale centers and dark brown edges, the lower third of body and fins bright red. Terminal phase males are green with three diagonal orange bands on upper half of head. Body rather deep and somewhat compressed. Young adults and females gray above, with scales outlined in darker gray; often bright red below. Juveniles have regular vertical and horizontal rows of white spots, and a dark blotch behind the pectoral fin. Supermales are green with a bright yellow spot at upper edge of gill cover, yellow bar at base of tail, curved orange-yellow mark on caudal fin rays. Dull red streak below eye from corner of mouth to upper part of operculum and red along lower edge of gill cover.
5. Facts: Large fish, up to two feet long. Travel in groups. They use their beaks to snip at algae. Get there name from the shape of their mouth. Only active during the day. The Stoplight Parrotfish is a distinctive, colorful, and abundant fish. Parrotfishes are distinctive small to large fishes with large, smooth scales and teeth that are fused into beak-like structures. Parrotfishes often travel in groups and they crop from various locations and thus do not destroy their food source. They use their beaks to nip pieces of large algae and to scrape algae and other encrusting organisms such as sponges from rocky bottoms. When parrotfishes feed, the noise of their teeth scraping rock is easily heard. Parrot fishes are active strictly during the day; at night they find a crevice in which to sleep.
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~zoogen/Bio394/reefset4.htm
http://www.reefnews.com/reefnews/photos/slparrt1.html
http://www.fishbase.org/search.html

1. Common Name: Queen Parrotfish
2. Genus, Species: Scarus Vetula
3. Family: Parrotfish- Scaridae
4. Characteristics: Young adults of both sexes dark gray overall, with broad white stripe slightly below mid-side. Super males have upper pectoral fin margin and upper and lower margins of tail dusky with submarginal band of brownish orange. Unique Chracteristics: Adult - broad white stripe along side. Supermale - more orange, with blue/green lines on snout. Abundant, usually 1 supermale and several young adults. Dramatic blue to green markings around the mouth.
5. Facts: Teeth fused into a 'beak'. They scrape rock and coral for algae. This can be heard underwater. They have 'teeth' in their throat, to grind up any rock or coral into a fine powder. They swim about reefs and stop to scrape algae from rocks and coral.
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~zoogen/Bio394/reefset4.htm
http://www.mansfield.ohio-state.edu/~mallen/692Sp99/Kelley/queenp.html
http://www.fishbase.org/search.html

1. Common Name: Princess Parrotfish
2. Genus, Species: Scarus taeniopterus, Parrotfish
3. Family: Parrotfish-Scaridae
4. Characteristics: Juveniles and young adults dark olive above with 2 broad dark stripes: upper from tip of snout through eye to middle of caudal fin base, lower from chin through pectoral fin base to lower caudal fin base; white area above upper stripe continues around front of head above eye. Blue to green body color, two blue to green stripes from snout through eye. Yellow or orangish stripe down mid body, fading toward rear, borders of tail are yellow to orange or pink in the terminal phase. Usually 8-10 inches in length, 13 inches maximum. Juvenile and initial phases look quite different - juvenile phase has three black stripes, two white stripes and a white belly, initial phase's stripes fade to brown and the fins become yellowish.
5. Facts: Scrape algae from rocks and coral, appear unconcerned about divers/snorkelers until closely approached, then shy away. Pretty common throughout the Caribbean area and even south to Brazil. Found from about 10-80 feet in depth.
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~zoogen/Bio394/reefset4.htm
http://www.reefnews.com/reefnews/photos/prparrot.html
http://www.fishbase.org/search.html

1. Common Name: Midnight Parrotfish
2. Genus, Species: Scarus colestinus
3. Family Name: Parrotfish- Scaridae
4. Unique Characteristics: Navy blue in color, bright blue markings on head above mouth - looks like a little kid with chocolate smeared all over it's face. Body scales occasionally have light blue centers. All phases are essentially the same in appearance. Size ranges from 1-2 ft. maximum 3 ft. Found in depths between 15 and 240 ft.
5. Interesting Facts: Common to Florida, Bahamas, Caribbean, north to Maryland, Bermuda and south to Brazil. Not reported in Gulf of Mexico. Swims about reefs and sand areas, stop to scrape algae from rocks and coral. Appear unconcerned to divers but shy away when closely approached.

1. Common Name: Honeycomb Cowfish
2. Genus, Species: Lactophyros polygonia
3. Family: Ostracidae or boxfish.
4. Characteristics: Bold pattern of hexagons outlined by narrow dark lines; centers and areas between hexagons pale. Purplish blue on sides and ventrally. They also do not dislay normal streamline fish shape. They are more ball shaped with smallish eyes and a puckered mouth. They have a distinct honeycomb pattern on their body in black with yellow surround.
5. Facts: They swim very slowly as they only have one dorsal fin and pectoral fins. They are uniquely patterned but what most divers notice is that they are shy. Part of their rareness may be attributed to the fact that they typically inhabit offshore reefs of 3 to 80 meters deep. During mating, the male of Honeycomb species is reported to turn a deep blue and produce an audible hum. In their natural habitat, Honeycomb cowfish consume sponges, alcyonarians, tunicates, and shrimps. Their care is similar to the Longhorn cowfish. They are found from New Jersey to Bermuda and Brazil, but are not usually found in the Gulf of Mexico. They are also found in regions of Ascension, St. Helena, Azores, and the East Atlantic in general.
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~zoogen/Bio394/reefset2.htm
http://www.cowfishes.com/honeycomb.html
http://www.fishbase.org/search.html

1. Common Name: Balloon Fish
2. Genus, Species: Diodon holocanthus
3. Family: Tetraodontidae
4. Characteristics: Pelagic juveniles with spots, particularly prominent on belly; adults with dark blotches across back and spots between the blotches; fins without spots (Ref. 4423). 14 to 16 spines in an approximate row between snout and origin of dorsal fin; with a large brown bar above and below each eye; a broad transverse brown bar on occipital region of head. They are golden brown, to pink on
their dorsal side and very light underneath. They feed on worms, crustaceans, and mollusks.
5. Facts: They puff up when they are upset. Otherwise they are very flat and they have no pectoral fins. They do not fit the normal description of a streamline fish. Sometimes called Porcupine Fish. Balloon Fish will inflate itself when threatened. Look in crevices. When puffed up their bodies become rigid, making them difficult to swallow. When danger appears they merely inflate their bodies, hide among the corals, and wait patiently for any danger to go away. Puffers belong to the family Tetraodontidae, which is merely the scientific name for four teeth. Their teeth are fused into two hard beaks, which allow them to crunch through the tough shells of their favorite food: small invertebrates. The evolutionary advantage of fused teeth is so successful that other sea creatures have adopted it. Parrotfish get their name from the beaklike mouth they use to scrape rock-hard corals in search of food.
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~zoogen/Bio394/reefset2.htm
http://www.ocean.com/Library/SeaStories/2001/08/SeaCreatures/
http://www.fishbase.org/search.html

1. Common Name: Smooth Trunkfish
2. Genus, Species: Lactophrys triqueter
3. Family: Ostriciidae
4. Characteristics: Carapace and caudal peduncle blackish with numerous small white spots; lips and bases of fins blackish; terminal edge of caudal fin narrowly white with a blackish submarginal band
5. Facts: Found on coral reefs. Solitary or in small groups. Feeds on a wide variety of small bottom invertebrates such as mollusks, crustaceans, worms, sessile tunicates and sponges exposed by a jet of water ejected through the mouth. Marketed fresh locally. Toxins released when excited kill other fishes. Easily approached.
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?genusname=Lactophrys&speciesname=triqueter
http://www.fishbase.org/search.html

*You can find almost anything you want to know about any type of fish if you know it's common name by going to www.fishbase.org/search.html. I highly recommend this site.

1. Common Name: Arrow Crab
2. Genus, Species: Stenorhynchus seticornis
3. Family: Majidae
4. Characteristics: looks like a spider, pointed head
5. Facts: found anywhere from low tide lines to 1489 meters deep, nocturnal scavenger, N. Carolina to Florida, Bahamas, Bermuda,W. Indies to Brazil
www.whozoo.org/intro2002/EmilioBarela/EB-ArrowCrab.html

1. Common Name: Rays
2. Genus, Species: Manta birostris
3. Family: Mobulidae
4. Characteristics: flattened body, gills on the underside
5. Facts: not dangerous to people, adapted for life on sea bottom, "horns" extending forward on head
members.tripod.com/~ranndino?animals.html

1. Common Name: Manta Ray
2. Genus, Species: Manta birostris
3. Family: Manta-Mobulidae.

1. Common Name: Schoolmaster Snapper
2. Genus, Species: Lutjanus apodus
3. Family: Lutjanidae
4. Characteristics: long snout,visible canine teeth when mouth closed. Olive, gray on upper sides w/ yellow tinge, yellow fins, blue stripe below eye. feeds on crustaceans, ususally weighs less then one pound, tropical western Atlantic Ocean as far north as Mass. and south to trinidad and northern Brazil, Rare north of Florida
5. Facts: feed on small fish, night feeders, like to remain hidden
www.fishbase.org/Summary?SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=1404

1. Common Name: Yellowtail Snapper
2. Genus, Species: Ocyurus chrysurus
3. Family: Lutjanidae
4. Characteristics: Olive to Blue with yellow spots, midlateral yellow stripe
5. Facts: juveniles found INSHORE adults offshore, night feeders, feed on small fish
indian-river.fl.us/fishing/fish/snapyt.html

1. Common Name: Dog Snapper
2. Genus, Species: Lutjanus jocu
3. Family: Lutjanidae
4. Characteristics: large caninces, brown, light blue under eye
5. Facts: up to 30 lbs., night feeders, in shore to 100 ft. deep
indian-river.fl.us/fishing/fish/snapdog.html

1. Common Name: Indigo hamlet
2. Genus, Species: Hypoplectrus indigo
3. Family: Serranidae
4. Characteristics: blue background with turqoise blue stripes
5. Facts: W. Atlantic, eat grass shrimp, swim near bottom of reef
www.geocities.com/TheTroopics/4236/hamlet.html
www.etropicals.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=41&pcatld=1325

1. Common Name: Creole Wrasse
2. Genus, Species: Clepticus parrrae
3. Family: Labridae
4. Characteristics: 4-12 inches long, usually lavender or purple, dark purple snout, yellow-red rear on older fish. Primary purple with a wash of yellow on lower 2/3 of body; small mouth directly in front of eyes.
5. Facts: Schooling fish; eats plankton, jellyfish, and tunicates; Feed on mollusks; are equipped with shell crushing teeth in mouth and throat; are related to the parrotfish. Lives in open water above deep reefs or along drop-offs.

1. Common Name: Yellow Goatfish
2. Genus, Species: Mulloidichthys martinicus
3. Family: Mullidae
4. Characteristics: long, fleshy barbells by mouth; forked caudal fin; yellow stripe from eye to caudal fin. 6-12 in, max: 15.5 in
5. Facts: uses it barbells to locate and eat invertebrates that hide in the sand or under rocks; diet consists of crab, shrimp, chitons, etc. During spawning, pairs rise in the water column in steep, loop-the-loop circles. They feed both alone or in small groups, and when they're not feeding, they lazily swim around in schools or in small groups over reefs. Fairly easy for divers to approach - mostly unconcerned, but will swim away if threatened.

1. Common Name: Spotted Goatfish
2. Genus, Species: Pseudupeneus maculates
3. Family: Mullidae
4. Characteristics: 3 dark spots/splotches in a row along the side of the body, barbells near the mouth
5. Facts: live in sand and rubble bottoms, diet of small invertebrates, change color to match the background

1. Common Name: Whitespotted Filefish
2. Genus, Species: Cantherhines macrocerus
3. Family: Monacanthidae
4. Characteristics: 10-18inches, extended belly appendage, orange spines at tail base
5. Facts: lives at reef tops; eats sponges, algae, stinging coral; has 2 color phases: one with large spots, one without

1. Common Name: Bicolor Damselfish
2. Genus, Species: Stegastes partitus
3. Family: Pomacentridae
4. Characteristics: two-toned (dark head, light rear), usually black and white, fins sometimes blue
5. Facts: territorial, defends a small area; predators: barracuda, jacks, groupers; males "chirp" to attract females and "grunt" during courtship

1. Common Name: Threespot Damselfish
2. Genus, Species: Stegastes planifrons
3. Family: Pomacentridae
4. Characteristics: 3-5 inches, dark spot on the base of caudal fin and base of pectoral fin
5. Facts: habitat is in the reef tops; eats algae; highly territorial, aggressively guarding a large area

1. Common Name: Anemone
2. Genus, Species: Anthopleura xanthogrammica
3. Family: Actiniidae
4. Characteristics: appear green because they contain algae in their tissues have an emerald green oral disk which is broad and flat, and can reach up to fifteen centimeters in diameter have warts on their upper third section of their column stinging tentacles
5. Facts: considered a carnivorous animal, but also share a symbiotic relationship with marine photosynthetic algae whose waste products are used by the anemone for food can reproduce asexually by budding, binary fission, and pedal laceration their predators are nudibranchs who eat their tentacles because the toxins in them give the predators a bright color that scares off the nudibranchs predators. Eat mussels, sea urchins, crabs, and small fish found in the low intertidal to the sub-intertidal zone from Alaska to Panama found in either sand or gravel filled pools on rocky shores

1. Common Name: Anemone
2. Genus, Species: Metridium senile
3. Family: Metridiidae
4. Characteristics: Have hundreds of very tiny stinging tentacles. The number of tentacles they have increases as they grow. More than twenty-five centimeters tall. White, tan, or brownish-orange are the column colors. Tentacles are greyish or whitish color
5. Facts: found in the intertidal zone, away from waves, on wood, shells, and rocks which are located in muddy bays A white ring is sometimes located around their mouth. Feed on zooplankton and small scraps of fish. Reproduce sexually, asexually or by laceration, which is pulling itself into two parts

1. Common Name: Giant Anemone
2. Genus, Species: Condylactis gigantea
3. Family: Actiniidae
4. Characteristics: Tentacles and body white, often with tints of gray, brown, yellow or green. Tentacles are long with slightly enlarged tips that may be pink, lavender, chartreuse, yellow occasionally white 6 - 12" across tentacles and bodies.
5. Facts: can grow to 6 to 12 inches across use stinging cells (nematocysts) to paralyze their prey (fish and plankton) and then engulf them is stationary as an adult, but has free-floating larvae many smaller marine animals gain protection from predators when they are within the anemone's tentacles yet are able to avoid being stung themselves. Tips of tentacles packed with powerful stinging cells. Very hardy. Come in several colors. Largest of Caribbean Anemones. Common in South Florida, Bahamas and Caribbean. Tentacles are normally extended, but retract if disturbed.

1. Common Name: Spotted Scorpion Fish
2. Genus, Species: Scorpaena plumieri (Spotted Scorpionfish)
3. Family: scorpaenidae
4. Characteristics: A large, robust scorpionfish with a broad head and well-developed occipital pit, have large heads and wide gill openings usually have sharp spines supporting the dorsal fin (in some species these are used in defense against attackers). Well camouflaged with tassels, warts and colored specks
reddish to brownish color and are mottled venomous spines
5. Facts: Scorpionfishes are carnivorous. Many bear live young. Most abundant in the Pacific Ocean. Some can change their color to better match their surroundings feed on crustaceans, cephalopods and fishes employing a sit-and-wait strategy, remaining stationary and snapping prey that comes near. With their mouth they create a vacuum and suck prey in during a nearly imperceptible split-second movement lie in crevices, in caves and under overhangs. Scorpionfishes are not aggressive, but if threatened they will erect their dorsal spines. When disturbed, the Spotted Scorpionfish confuses predators by displaying the white spots in the pectoral axil as it moves slowly away, then suddenly turns, stops, and dives to the bottom, often stirring up a cloud of silt. As it does so, it turns the pectoral fin to cover the markings. By the time the silt clears, the fish is so well camouflaged that it has virtually disappeared. Scorpionfishes are ambush feeders, lying motionless on the bottom until prey ventures near, then snapping it up with a quick pounce.

1. Common Name: Peacock Flounder
2. Genus, Species: Bothus mancu
3. Family: Bothidae
4. Characteristics: Shades of tan to brown, Blue ring markings over body, blue fin and head spots, both eyes on left side, long pectoral fin usually erect, greatly flattened oval bodies
5. Facts: Its skin gets darker or lighter to match its surroundings, live along the coast of Florida and Central and South America, can grow to be 18 inches long, habitat is sand, coral rubble, sea grass bottoms , feed on small fishes, crustaceans, carnivorous and dart out from hiding on bottoms where they blend in with the background by darkening or paling or changing color . They start life as normal fishes with eyes on either side of the head. As they grow one eye actually migrates over the top of the head and joins the other on the opposite side. As this occurs, the fish starts leaning over and ends up flat on the sand blindside down.

1. Common Name: Blue Tang
2. Genus, Species: Paracanthurus hepatus or Acanthurus coeruleus
3. Family: Acanthuridae
4. Characteristics: extremely sharp, movable spines on each side of the tail (venomous), sharp-edged teeth, coloration changes as it matures: young fishes are bright yellow, with blue spots near the eyes; they then become blue over much of the front of the body, with a yellow tail, while adults are a deep, rich blue all over, with narrow, dark-blue lines running the length of the body.
5. Facts: found in West Atlantic Ocean: New York and Bermuda, south to Caribbean and Brazil . Normally the spines lie flat in a groove, but if the fish is disturbed or alarmed, they are erected and can inflict serious wounds on an enemy as the tail is lashed back and forth, feeds entirely on algae also known as the Palette Surgeon grow to 31cm in length

1. Common Name: Caribbean Reef Octopus
2. Genus, Species: Octopus briareus
3. Family: Octopodidae
4. Characteristics: Has four pairs of arms: Upper (4th) is the shortest 2nd and 3rd pairs are the longest. Commonly bluish-green to greenish-brown but can rapidly change colors
5. Facts: Hides undercover during the day and openly exposes itself only at night when it hunts for bottom dwelling invertebrates. They only spawn once and the male and female die shortly after mating andhatching. They have rather sophisticated eyes and excellent vision. Defense mechanism: Can release a cloud of dark purple ink in to the water in an attempt to confuse a predator. Hatchlings are miniature versions of adults

1. Common Name: Smallmouth Grunt
2. Genus, Species: Haemulon chrysargyreum
3. Family: Haemulidae
4. Characteristics: Smallmouth grunt have 5-6 yellow stripes on their body. Have yellow fins
5. Facts: Smallmouth grunts often are seen in small schools during the day in the shelter of reefs. They can grind together their teeth that are located deep inside their throat. Their grunt or groaning noise can be heard underwater

1. Common Name: French Grunt
2. Genus, Species: Haemulon flavolineatum
3. Family: Haemulidae
4. Characteristics: 5-6 Yellow stripes on a bluish-silver body. Fins are yellow. Stripes are horizontal above the lateral line. Has a forked tail
5. Facts: Juveniles frequently gather around small outcroppings of finger coral and staghorn corals. French grunt also grind teeth together to produce a groaning sound that is amplified by a drum like swim bladder. During territorial conflicts, male grunts will face and push each other with open mouths. Their mouth is red on the inside. Found in small schools, often near elkhorn and staghorn corals. Feeds on plankton, crabs, shrimps, and polychaetes.

1. Common Name: Blue Striped Grunt
2. Genus, Species: Haemulon sciurus
3. Family: Haemulidae
4. Characteristics: Dark dorsal fin and vertical tail stripe. Silver stripes extend the whole length of the yellow body in fairly straight lines
5. Facts: Blue striped grunt are active at night and during the day will be found resting beneath corals, often in schools. The shape of their mouth looks like they are smiling. Grunts eat small crustaceans and small fish

1. Common Name: Boga
2. Genus, Species: Inermia vittata.
3. Family: Bonnetmouth- Inermiidae.

1. Common Name: Glasseye Snapper
2. Genus, Species: Priacanthus cruentatus
3. Family Name: Bigeye- Priacanthidae
4. Unique Chrarcteristics: Maximum size is 23 cm. Have a single dorsal fin with well developed spines.
5. Interesting Facts: Small schools. Feed on small fish and crustacea.

Sources:
http://www.ocean.com/Library/CreatureFeature/CreatureFeatureDetails.asp?ID=33
http://www.aquarium.net/0697/0697_2.shtml
http://www.aquarium.net/0198/0198_2.shtml
http://www.fishid.com/learnctr/squid.htm
http://www.ambergriscaye.com/pages/town/diveb2.html
http://www.wgn.net/~fabio/gallery/belize11.htm
http://www.bahamas.mall.bs/marina/underwater/squid.htm
http://www.dal.ca/~ceph/TCP/chroma4.html
http://cephbase.nrcc.utmb.edu/TCP/pub/Poster2001A/Poster01A6.htm
http://www.cyhaus.com/marine/octopus.htm
http://www.csulb.edu/depts/biology/marine/species/Smallmouth_Grunt.html_f/Smallmouth_Grunt.html
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/haemulid.htm
http://www.mayabelize.ca/belize/fauna/reeffishgrunt.shtml
http://www.seabase.net/grunt.htm

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