Reef Species Gallery

★ Featured

Staghorn Coral

Acropora cervicornis

IUCN · Critically Endangered

Acropora cervicornis is a fast-growing branching coral characterized by cylindrical, antler-like branches with pale white growing tips, as clearly visible in this image. It was once the dominant reef-building coral across the Caribbean but has suffered population declines of over 80% due to disease, bleaching, hurricanes, and water quality degradation. It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Active restoration efforts, including coral gardening and outplanting programs, are underway throughout its range.

9th Street · 12 feet · 2025-03-09

★ Featured

Atlantic Guitarfish

Rhinobatos lentiginosus

IUCN · Near Threatened

The Atlantic Guitarfish is a batoid (ray) with a distinctive elongated, flattened body and a shark-like tail, bridging the appearance between sharks and rays. It is typically brownish to grey dorsally with scattered white spots, and spends much of its time resting motionless on sandy or rubble bottoms in shallow coastal and reef environments. It feeds primarily on crustaceans, mollusks, and small fishes by rooting through the sediment. Found throughout the western Atlantic from North Carolina to the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.

Little Neon Reef · 22 feet · 2024-02-17

★ Featured

French Angelfish

Pomacanthus paru

IUCN · Least Concern

The French Angelfish is a large, striking reef fish found throughout the tropical western Atlantic, including the Caribbean and Florida reefs. Adults are dark gray to black with bright yellow-edged scales giving a speckled appearance, a yellow ring around the eye, and yellow at the base of the pectoral fin. They are commonly found at depths of 2–100 meters on coral reefs, where they feed primarily on sponges, algae, and tunicates. They are often seen in pairs and are relatively tolerant of divers.

7th Street · 15 feet · 2025-05-17

★ Featured

Lined Seahorse

Hippocampus erectus

IUCN · Vulnerable

The lined seahorse (Hippocampus erectus) is a bony fish found throughout the western Atlantic, from Nova Scotia to Panama, commonly inhabiting shallow seagrass beds, coral reefs, and areas with gorgonian sea rods. It uses its prehensile tail to anchor itself to soft corals and other structures, as seen here on a gorgonian sea rod, relying on excellent camouflage to avoid predators. Adults range from 5–18 cm in length and exhibit varied coloration from brown and yellow to orange. Like all seahorses, males brood the young in a specialized abdominal pouch; the species faces pressure from bycatch, habitat loss, and collection for the traditional medicine and aquarium trades.

8th Street · 15 feet · 2025-04-13

★ Featured

Townsend Angelfish (Hybrid)

Holacanthus ciliaris x Holacanthus bermudensis

IUCN · Not Evaluated

The Townsend Angelfish is a naturally occurring hybrid resulting from interbreeding between the Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris) and the Blue Angelfish (Holacanthus bermudensis). It displays intermediate characteristics of both parent species, often combining the Queen Angelfish's bright blue and yellow coloration with variable crown spot patterns and tail markings. These hybrids occur where the ranges of the two parent species overlap in the western Atlantic, including Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean. As a hybrid rather than a distinct species, it is not formally evaluated by the IUCN, though both parent species are listed as Least Concern.

8th Street · 15 feet · 2024-05-11

★ Featured

Porkfish (juvenile)

Anisotremus virginicus

IUCN · Least Concern

The Porkfish is a grunt (family Haemulidae) found in the western Atlantic, ranging from Florida and the Bahamas through the Caribbean to Brazil. Juveniles are bright yellow with a black bar through the eye and a dark midbody stripe, and they often serve as cleaner fish, picking parasites off larger species. Adults develop two black bars on the head and yellow-and-silver striped bodies, typically inhabiting reefs and rocky areas where they form schools by day and forage for invertebrates at night.

8th Street · 15 feet · 2025-07-04

★ Featured

Green Sea Turtle

Chelonia mydas

IUCN · Least Concern

The green sea turtle is a large marine reptile recognizable by its single pair of prefrontal scales, a smooth carapace with non-overlapping scutes, and a relatively small rounded head. Adults are largely herbivorous, grazing on seagrasses and algae, which is reflected in the seagrass and gorgonian habitat shown here. They are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical waters and are highly migratory, traveling long distances between feeding and nesting grounds. Populations have declined due to harvesting, bycatch, habitat loss, and disease (fibropapillomatosis).

Little Neon Reef · 22 feet · 2023-12-23

★ Featured

Spotted Eagle Ray

Aetobatus narinari

IUCN · Endangered

The spotted eagle ray is a large pelagic ray easily recognized by its dark dorsal surface covered in distinctive white spots and rings, a flat duck-like snout, and a very long, whip-like tail. It glides gracefully over reefs and sandy flats, using its snout to forage for mollusks and crustaceans. Found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, it is often seen swimming in open water near reefs. Note that regional taxonomy varies, with Atlantic populations sometimes treated as Aetobatus narinari distinct from Indo-Pacific species.

7th Street · 15 feet · 2025-06-08

★ Featured

Lesser Electric Ray

Narcine bancroftii

IUCN · Vulnerable

The lesser electric ray is a small benthic ray with a rounded, disc-shaped body and a relatively thick tail bearing two dorsal fins and a well-developed caudal fin. It inhabits shallow sandy and muddy bottoms in the western Atlantic, often partially buried in sediment as seen here. It is capable of producing a mild electric discharge used for defense and to stun small prey such as worms and small fishes.

6th Street · 15 feet · 2024-06-15

Blue crab

Callinectes sapidus

IUCN · Not Evaluated

The blue crab is a species of crab native to the waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. It is characterized by its brilliant blue claws and olive to bluish-green carapace, and is an important species in estuarine and coastal ecosystems as both predator and scavenger. Blue crabs are also highly valued commercially and recreationally as a food source, particularly in the Chesapeake Bay region.

Neon Reef - 9th · 2026-07-26

Rosey Blenny

Malacoctenus macropus

IUCN · Least Concern

The rosy blenny is a small combtooth blenny found in the western Atlantic, including the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, typically inhabiting shallow reef and rocky habitats. It has a slender body with reddish to rosy coloration and pale blotches along its sides, growing to about 6-8 cm in length. It feeds mainly on small invertebrates and is often seen perching on coral or rock surfaces. This species is widespread and common, so it is currently classified as Least Concern.

Neon Reef - 9th · 2026-07-26

Purple Mouth Moray Eel

Gymnothorax eurostus

IUCN · Least Concern

A medium-sized moray eel common to shallow coral reefs, rocky habitats, and seagrass beds across the Western Atlantic (from Florida and the Bahamas down through the Caribbean to Brazil). Reaching lengths up to 4 feet (125 cm), it is a nocturnal ambush hunter that relies on a keen sense of smell to prey on small reef fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods.

Neon Reef - 9th Street

Scrawled Cowfish

Acanthostracion quadricornis

IUCN · Least Concern

The scrawled cowfish is a boxfish found in tropical and subtropical waters of the western Atlantic, often around coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves. It has a rigid, box-like body encased in bony plates, with distinctive blue scrawled markings on a yellowish-green body and two horn-like spines above the eyes. It feeds on a variety of benthic invertebrates, algae, and seagrasses, and its rigid shell provides protection from most predators.

Neon Reef - 9th Street

Symmetrical Brain Coral

Pseudodiploria strigosa

IUCN · Near Threatened

This large boulder-shaped coral is characterized by its meandering, maze-like ridges and grooves resembling a brain. It forms massive dome or hemispherical colonies that provide important structural habitat on Caribbean and western Atlantic reefs. Numerous small reef fish, such as grunts and gobies, are often seen sheltering around and above its surface.

Neon Reef - 9th Street

West Indian Sea Egg

Tripneustes ventricosus

IUCN · Not Evaluated

The West Indian sea egg is a large sea urchin found in seagrass beds, reef flats, and shallow tropical waters of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. It has a rounded test typically covered with short white or pale spines and often decorates itself with bits of seagrass or debris for camouflage. This species is herbivorous, grazing on seagrasses and algae, and is harvested in some regions for its edible roe.

Neon Reef - 9th Street

Slippery Dick - Juvenile

Halichoeres bivittatus

IUCN · Least Concern

The slippery dick is a common wrasse found in seagrass beds, reef flats, and rubble areas throughout the western Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean. Juveniles display a distinct color pattern with a yellowish body and two dark longitudinal stripes, differing from the more colorful terminal-phase adults. It feeds on small invertebrates such as crustaceans and mollusks buried in sand, and is known for burying itself in sand at night or when threatened. This species is widespread and abundant, and is not currently considered at risk.

Neon Reef - 6th Street · 2026-07-25

Bermuda chub

Kyphosus sectatrix

IUCN · Least Concern

A large school of silvery, deep-bodied fish with fine horizontal stripes, typically seen schooling over Caribbean and Atlantic reefs among soft corals like sea rods and sea plumes. Bermuda chub feed primarily on algae and are common on shallow reef flats and patch reefs. They are widespread and abundant throughout their range.

Neon Reef - 6th Street

Bandtail Puffer

Sphoeroides spengleri

IUCN · Least Concern

The bandtail puffer is a small marine pufferfish found in the western Atlantic Ocean, from North Carolina to Brazil, including the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. It inhabits seagrass beds, coral reefs, and sandy areas, often near reef margins. Like other pufferfish, it can inflate its body as a defense mechanism and contains tetrodotoxin, making it toxic if consumed. It is widespread and not currently facing major threats, resulting in its Least Concern status.

Neon Reef - 9th Street

Spotted Goatfish

Pseudupeneus maculatus

IUCN · Least Concern

The spotted goatfish is a small reef fish found in the western Atlantic, recognized by three dark blotches along its sides and a pair of chin barbels used to probe sand for food. It typically inhabits sandy areas near coral reefs and seagrass beds at depths of a few meters to around 60 meters. It can rapidly change color patterns, from pale to reddish-brown, depending on behavior and habitat. This species is common and widespread, with no major population threats currently identified.

Neon Reef - 7th street · 2026-07-25

Slippery Dick - Initial Stage

Halichoeres bivittatus

IUCN · Least Concern

The slippery dick is a common wrasse found throughout the western Atlantic on coral reefs, seagrass beds, and rubble areas. In its initial phase (juvenile/female-like coloration), it displays a pale body with two dark horizontal stripes running along its length. It is a small, active carnivore that feeds on small invertebrates such as crustaceans and mollusks, and it burrows into sand at night or when threatened.

Neon Reef - 7th street · 2026-07-25

West Indian Manatee

Trichechus manatus

IUCN · Vulnerable

The West Indian manatee is a large, slow-moving aquatic mammal found in shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and rivers of the Caribbean and southeastern United States. It grazes on seagrasses and other aquatic vegetation, often resting near the sandy bottom as seen here. Manatees are herbivorous and surface periodically to breathe, using their paddle-like flippers to move slowly through the water.

South Pointe Jetty · 2022-09-09

Tomtate Grunt - Juvinile

Haemulon aurolineatum

IUCN · Least Concern

The tomtate grunt is a small schooling reef fish found in the western Atlantic from Chesapeake Bay to Brazil, commonly associated with coral reefs, rock outcrops, and seagrass beds. Juveniles are silvery with a distinctive dark stripe running along the upper side from the eye to the base of the tail, often forming loose aggregations near structure for protection. It feeds primarily on small invertebrates and is an important prey species for larger reef predators. The species is abundant and widespread, with no major population concerns currently identified.

Neon Reef - 9th Street · 2026-07-19

Gray Angelfish (juvenile/subadult)

Pomacanthus arcuatus

IUCN · Not Evaluated

The gray angelfish is a large Caribbean and western Atlantic reef fish recognizable by its deep, laterally compressed body and dark gray coloration with subtle scale patterning. Juveniles and subadults, as seen here, often show pale vertical bars and yellow-edged fins that fade with age. It feeds primarily on sponges and is commonly seen around coral reefs and rocky areas.

Neon Reef - 9th Street

Grey Snapper

Lutjanus griseus

IUCN · Least Concern

The Grey Snapper, also known as mangrove snapper, is a coastal fish found throughout the western Atlantic, including reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and estuaries. It has a grey to grey-green body, sometimes with a reddish tinge, and can grow up to about 89 cm, though most individuals are much smaller. Juveniles commonly inhabit mangroves and nearshore nursery habitats before moving to deeper reef environments as adults. It is an important species for both commercial and recreational fisheries and is currently assessed as Least Concern due to its wide distribution and stable population trends.

Neon Reef 9th Street · 2026-07-19

White Grunt

Haemulon plumierii

IUCN · Least Concern

The white grunt is a common reef-associated fish found in the western Atlantic, from Chesapeake Bay to Brazil, often near coral reefs, rocky bottoms, and seagrass beds. It has a silvery-gray body with yellow stripes on the head and a bright orange-red mouth lining, visible when it opens its mouth—a behavior linked to territorial displays. White grunts are nocturnal foragers, feeding on crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish, and they school during the day near reef structures. They are popular in recreational fisheries and are considered abundant with a stable population trend.

Neon Reef - 9th Street · 2026-07-19

Neon Goby

Elacatinus oceanops

IUCN · Least Concern

The neon goby is a small reef fish native to the western Atlantic, particularly around Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean. It is easily recognized by its bright blue horizontal stripe running along a black body, and it commonly performs cleaning symbiosis, removing parasites from larger fish. This species inhabits coral reefs and rocky areas, often near cleaning stations, and is popular in the aquarium trade due to captive breeding programs.

Neon Reef - 9th Street · 2026-07-19

Spotfin Butterflyfish

Chaetodon ocellatus

IUCN · Least Concern

The Spotfin Butterflyfish is a yellow-bodied reef fish found in the western Atlantic, from Massachusetts to the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. It has a distinctive black bar through the eye and a black spot ringed with white on the rear dorsal fin, giving rise to its common name. This species feeds on a variety of invertebrates and algae and is commonly seen darting among coral heads and rocky reefs. It is widespread and abundant, facing no major population threats at present.

Neon Reef - 9th Street · 2026-07-19

Butter hamlet

Hypoplectrus unicolor

IUCN · Least Concern

The butter hamlet is a small reef fish found in the western Atlantic and Caribbean, typically pale yellow with a series of dark bars on the head and a dark spot near the pectoral fin base. It inhabits coral reefs and rocky areas at depths of a few meters to around 30 meters, feeding mainly on small fishes and crustaceans. Like other hamlets, it is a simultaneous hermaphrodite that engages in egg-trading during pair spawning. It is common and widespread, with no major population threats identified.

Neon Reef - 9th Street · 2026-07-19

Sea Bream

Archosargus rhomboidalis

IUCN · Least Concern

Also known as the sea bream, this species is a small silvery fish in the family Sparidae found in the western Atlantic from the southeastern United States through the Caribbean to Brazil. It inhabits shallow coastal waters, estuaries, mangroves, and reef-associated habitats, often in schools over sandy or vegetated bottoms. It feeds on a mix of small invertebrates and plant material, and is not currently facing significant population threats.

Neon Reef 6th Street

Sanddiver

Synodus intermedius

IUCN · Least Concern

The sanddiver, also known as the sand diver, is a species of lizardfish found in shallow sandy areas near coral reefs in the western Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. It has an elongated, cylindrical body with a pointed head and buries itself in sand to ambush prey, primarily small fish and crustaceans. This species is common and widespread, with no significant population threats identified.

Neon Reef 6th Street · 2026-07-19

Bluestripe Grunt

Haemulon sciurus

IUCN · Least Concern

The bluestripe grunt is a reef-associated fish found throughout the western Atlantic, including the Caribbean and Florida Keys, typically inhabiting coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove areas. It is easily identified by its yellow body marked with distinctive blue horizontal stripes and a yellow tail. This species forms large daytime schools near reef structures and feeds primarily at night on small invertebrates such as crustaceans and mollusks.

Neon Reef - 6th Street · 2026-07-19

Arrow crab

Stenorhynchus seticornis

IUCN · Not Evaluated

The arrow crab is a small decapod crustacean with a triangular, pointed carapace and extremely long, thin, spider-like legs. It is nocturnal, often found hiding in reef crevices and sponges during the day, and feeds on small invertebrates and detritus. Common throughout Caribbean and western Atlantic reefs.

Neon Reef - 6th Street · 2026-07-19

Tomtate

Haemulon aurolineatum

IUCN · Least Concern

The tomtate is a small grunt species found in the western Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Chesapeake Bay to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. It typically inhabits reefs, seagrass beds, and sandy areas at depths of a few meters down to about 55 meters, often forming schools during the day near reef structure. It has a silvery body with a yellow stripe running from the snout to the base of the tail. It is a common and abundant species, feeding mainly on small invertebrates, and serves as an important prey species for larger reef predators.

Neon Reef - 8th Street · 2026-07-18

sheepshead porgy

Archosargus probatocephalus

IUCN · Least Concern

The sheepshead porgy is a deep-bodied, laterally compressed fish found in the western Atlantic from Nova Scotia to Brazil, including reefs, seagrass beds, and estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. It has distinctive vertical black bars on a silvery-gray body and strong, human-like incisors and molars adapted for crushing crustaceans, mollusks, and other hard-shelled prey. It is a popular target for recreational and commercial fisheries but remains widespread and abundant, warranting its Least Concern status.

Neon Reef - 8th Street

Caribbean Squid

Sepioteuthis sepioidea

IUCN · Not Evaluated

The Caribbean reef squid is a common cephalopod found in shallow coastal waters, seagrass beds, and coral reefs throughout the Caribbean Sea. It is known for its rapid color-changing ability, used for camouflage and communication, and typically travels in small schools. This species reaches about 20 cm in mantle length and feeds primarily on small fish and crustaceans.

Neon Reef 8th Street · 2026-07-18

Nurse Shark (juvenile)

Ginglymostoma cirratum

IUCN · Least Concern

The nurse shark is a slow-moving, bottom-dwelling shark found in warm, shallow waters of the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific, often resting under ledges or in caves during the day. Juveniles have a slender body with faint dark spots and blotches that fade with age, and they possess barbels near the mouth used to detect prey in sediment. They are nocturnal feeders, primarily consuming fish, crustaceans, and mollusks using strong suction to draw prey into their mouths. Despite historical fishing pressure, the species remains widespread and is currently classified as Least Concern, though some regional populations face localized declines.'

Neon Reef 11th street · 16 feet · 2025-09-09

Queen Angelfish (juvenile)

Holacanthus ciliaris

IUCN · Least Concern

The queen angelfish is a colorful reef fish native to the tropical western Atlantic, recognized by its vivid blue body, yellow fins, and pearlescent stripes. Juveniles like this one display bold curved blue bars on a darker blue-yellow body, which fade into a more mottled pattern as they mature into adults with a distinctive dark spot ringed in blue on the forehead. They inhabit coral reefs and rocky areas, feeding primarily on sponges. This species is widespread and not currently considered at risk.

Neon Reef · 15 feet · 2025-11-09

green morary eel

Gymnothorax funebris

IUCN · Least Concern

The green moray eel is a large eel-like fish found throughout the western Atlantic, from New Jersey to Brazil, commonly seen around coral reefs and rocky crevices. Its skin secretes a yellowish mucus that combines with its natural blue-gray body color to give it a green appearance. It is a nocturnal predator feeding mainly on fish and crustaceans, and can grow up to 2.5 meters in length.

Neon Reef 5th Street · 15 ft · 2025-12-14

horse conch

Triplofusus giganteus

IUCN · Not Evaluated

The horse conch is a large predatory sea snail native to the Gulf of Mexico and southeastern United States coastal waters, often found on sandy or seagrass substrates near reefs. It is the largest gastropod native to North American waters, with shells reaching up to 60 cm in length and a bright orange body and foot. It feeds primarily on other mollusks, including other conchs and bivalves. It is the official state shell of Florida.

Neon Reef 8th st · 15 feet · 2025-12-14

Queen Angelfish

Holacanthus ciliaris

IUCN · Least Concern

The Queen Angelfish is a vividly colored reef fish found in the tropical western Atlantic, recognizable by its blue and yellow coloration and a distinctive dark spot ringed with blue on its forehead resembling a crown. It feeds primarily on sponges and also consumes algae, tunicates, and other invertebrates. This species inhabits coral reefs at depths from near the surface to about 70 meters and is a popular subject in the aquarium trade.

Neon Reef 10th St · 15 ft · 2025-12-14

Juvinile High Hat

Pareques acuminatus

IUCN · Not Evaluated

The high hat (Pareques acuminatus) is a small reef-associated drum found in the tropical western Atlantic, often sheltering under ledges and in crevices during the day. Juveniles are distinctively marked with bold black-and-white horizontal stripes and an elongated dorsal fin that becomes proportionally shorter with age. They feed at night on small invertebrates found in sand and rubble near reefs. The species has not been formally assessed by the IUCN Red List.

neon reef - 8th street · 15 feet · 2026-02-21

spotfin burr fish

Chilomycterus reticulatus

IUCN · Least Concern

The spotfin burrfish is a species of pufferfish-relative in the family Diodontidae, found in warm coastal and reef-associated waters of the Atlantic and eastern Pacific. It has a rounded body covered in fixed, non-retractable spines and can inflate itself with water as a defense mechanism against predators. It typically feeds on hard-shelled invertebrates such as mollusks, sea urchins, and crustaceans using its powerful beak-like jaws. It is widespread and not currently considered at significant risk of extinction.

Neon 10th Street · 15 feet · 2026-03-28

strawberry grouper

Cephalopholis spiloparaea

IUCN · Least Concern

The strawberry grouper, also known as the strawberry hind, is a small reef-associated fish found in the Indo-Pacific region, typically inhabiting coral reefs and rocky areas at depths of 3 to 150 meters. It has a reddish to pinkish body covered with small blue spots, giving it a distinctive strawberry-like coloration. This species is a solitary predator that feeds primarily on small fish and crustaceans. It is not heavily targeted by fisheries and remains relatively common within its range.

Neon Reef 6th st · 15 feet · 2026-03-28

Tiger Goby

Elacatinus macrodon

IUCN · Not Evaluated

The tiger goby is a small, slender goby found in the western Atlantic, typically along rocky and coral reef habitats. It is recognized by its pale body marked with dark horizontal stripes running along the length of the body, giving it its common name. Like other gobies, it is a bottom-dwelling species often found in small groups near crevices and ledges. It has not been formally assessed by the IUCN Red List.

8th St neon reef · 12 ft · 2026-06-21
📷 Patrick Louis Breshike

Short nose batfish

Ogcocephalus nasutus

IUCN · Least Concern

The shortnose batfish is a bottom-dwelling anglerfish relative found in the western Atlantic, often on sandy or reef-adjacent substrates. It has a flattened, disc-like body covered in bony tubercles and 'walks' along the seafloor using its modified pectoral and pelvic fins. It uses a small lure (illicium) near its mouth to attract prey such as small fish and invertebrates. It is widespread and not currently considered at significant risk of extinction.

Neon Reef - 6th Street · 15 feet · 2026-03-03

Banded Butterflyfish

Chaetodon striatus

IUCN · Least Concern

The banded butterflyfish is a small, disc-shaped reef fish native to the tropical western Atlantic, recognizable by its two broad black vertical bands crossing a white-to-yellowish body and a black band through the eye. It typically inhabits shallow coral reefs and rocky areas, feeding on small invertebrates such as worms and anemones. It's commonly seen singly or in pairs, and is widespread and abundant, hence its stable population status.

Neon Reef - 10th Street · 15 feet · 2026-03-03

Rosie Blenny

Malacoctenus macropus

IUCN · Least Concern

The Rosy Blenny is a small combtooth blenny found in the western Atlantic, including reefs of Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean. It typically inhabits shallow rocky and coral reef areas, often perching on rubble or coral heads. Males display reddish-pink coloration, especially during breeding displays, giving rise to the common name. It feeds primarily on small invertebrates and is not considered to be at risk from a conservation standpoint.

Neon Reef - 10th Street · /Volumes/david/Documents/2026_02_28_Dive_Spencer_Grace/Export/DSC04517.jpg · 2026-03-03

Juvenile Hamlet

Unknown

IUCN · Unknown

'Juvenile Hamlet' is a commonly used field term referring to a juvenile individual of the genus Hypoplectrus (family Serranidae), a group of small, colorful sea basses endemic to the Caribbean and tropical western Atlantic. Juvenile hamlets of different species can appear morphologically similar, making species-level identification difficult without closer examination. The genus Hypoplectrus contains numerous recognized species, most of which are assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though some remain Data Deficient or not formally evaluated. A confirmed species-level identification would be needed to assign a definitive scientific name and IUCN status.

8th Street · 15 feet · 2024-07-24

Nurse Shark

Ginglymostoma cirratum

IUCN · Vulnerable

The nurse shark is a slow-moving, bottom-dwelling shark common in shallow tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic and eastern Pacific oceans. It has a broad, rounded head with barbels near the nostrils and small eyes, and typically rests motionless on the seafloor among coral and rocky habitats. Nurse sharks are nocturnal predators that feed on fish, crustaceans, and mollusks using strong suction. They are generally docile toward divers but can bite if provoked.

7th Street · 15 feet · 2024-07-21