 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 | ||||||
Species Identification for the Coral Reefs of Belize
This page contains information about species we encounter during New England College snorkeling trips to the barrier coral reef off the coast of Belize.
Click on any active link to jump to the information section
about that organism.
Large vertebrates 5. Nurse shark 7. Barracuda 10. Hawksbill turtle Invertebrates I (sponges, cnidarians, and molluscs) 12. Elkhorn coral 13. Staghorn coral 14. Purple sea fan 15. Brain coral 16. Giant anemone 17. Queen conch 18. Flamingo tongue 19. Spotted seahare Invertebrates II (annelids, arthropods, and
echinoderms) 23. Spanish lobster 29. Sand dollar |
Fish 31. Gray angelfish 32. Queen angelfish 33. Ballyhoo 35. Peacock flounder 36. Yellow goatfish 37. Black grouper 38. Nassau grouper 40. French grunt 41. Hogfish 42. Horse-eye jack 44. Queen parrotfish 46. Porcupine fish 47. Remora 48. Rock beauty 50. Sergeant major 51. Dog snapper 53. Squirrelfish 54. Blue tang 55. Tarpon 57. Trumpetfish 59. Bluehead 60. Slippery dick Species previously listed but removed in Fall 2011: 1. Tiger shark |
o
Dasyatis
Americana
o Key ID features: snout and tips of “wings” are pointed
o Found only western Atlantic
o Barbed, venomous tail
o Diamond-shaped brown/grey body with white underside
o
Spotted during night dive in Hol
Chan
o
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_stingray
o
Video from Belize 2010 (at time 0:58): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkQJtKVHczU
o Key ID features: rounded, horseshoe shape
o Spotted in abundance at Turtle Rock Island
o Can be approached and touched
o Spotted during night dive in Hol Chan
o Video from Belize 2010: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwgcVvOPLP4
o Aetobatus narinari
o Key ID features: numerous white spots and circular markings over dark back
o Found in tropical waters throughout the world
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotted_eagle_ray
o Video shot by Prof. Simon in Maui: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdlVR5iw0LM
o Not spotted in Belize 2010
o Click here to see a Fall 2010 student PowerPoint on this species
o Urobatis
jamaicensis
o
Key ID features: numerous yellow spots and
circular markings, smaller than other rays we see
o
Found in tropical waters throughout the world
o http://www.elasmodiver.com/yellow_stingray.htm
o Ginglymostoma cirratum
o Key ID features: two barbells on upper lip; two dorsal fins, of nearly equal size and set far back; small mouth
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nurse_shark
o Spotted at Coral Gardens and Turtle Rock Island
o Can be approached and even touched
o Can grow up to 14’ long and 300 lbs.
o Usually found hiding under rock shelves on the ocean bottom in shallow water
o Video from Belize 2010: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uES4NkkPcB4
o Gymnothorax funebris
o Key ID features: uniform green to brown color
o Found along Atlantic coast from New Jersey to Brazil
o Spotted during night dive at Hol Chan
o Can grow up to 7 feet long
o Often hide in crevices in rocks
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_moray_eel
o
Video
from Belize 2010
o 27 known species of barracuda throughout the world
o Key ID features: large underslung jaw with often obvious, pointed teeth
o Can be several feet in length
o Found in tropical waters throughout the world
o Elongated body with razor-sharp teeth
o They should be avoided, although they are not considered harmful to humans
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barracuda
o Spotted in Belize 2010, but no photos/video
o Click here to see a Fall 2010 student PowerPoint on this species
o Caretta caretta
o Key ID features: five pairs of costal scutes (large scales on carapace on either side of the midline)
o Spotted at Turtle Rock island
o Found throughout the world
o Adults can weigh up to 300 lbs.
o Endangered species
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_sea_turtle
o Video from Belize 2010 (starting at 1:14): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22gMdrcUdYU
o Click here to see a Fall 2010 student PowerPoint on this species
o Chelonia mydas
o Key ID features: four pairs of costal scutes (large scales on carapace on either side of the midline)
o Spotted at Hol Chan
o Found in tropical oceans throughout the world
o Feed on seagrass
o Endangered species
o Crawl on to beaches to lay eggs in sand
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_sea_turtle
o Video from Belize 2010 (starting at 1:14): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22gMdrcUdYU
o Click here to see a Fall 2010 student PowerPoint on this species
o Eretmochelys imbricate
o Key ID features: overlapping scutes (large scales on carapace); curved beak with distinct overbite
o Critically endangered species
o Found in tropical waters throughout the world
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawksbill_turtle
o Not spotted in Belize 2010
o Click here to see a Fall 2010 student PowerPoint on this species
o Callyspongia vaginalis
o Habitat: shallow & mid-range coral reefs, walls, & rocky areas
o Key ID traits:
· Thin, stiff-walled tubes with large opening at end
· Outer walls commonly have many irregular conical projections
· Usually in clusters
o http://species-identification.org/species.php?species_group=caribbean_diving_guide&id=443
o Not spotted in Belize 2010
o Acropora palmata
o Habitat: shallow areas with constant wave
action
o Key ID traits:
·
Flattened
branches resembling the antlers of moose or elk
·
Brown to
yellow-brown
o Tidbits:
·
Grows
rapidly – up to 5-6 inches per year
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acropora_palmata
o
Video
from Belize 2010
o Acropora cervicornis
o Habitat:
·
10-60 ft
depths in calm water; most commonly on reefs but can be free-standing
o Key ID traits:
·
Antler-like
racks of cylindrical, tangled branches
·
Brown to
yellow-brown
o Tidbits:
· Grows rapidly – up to 5-6 inches per year
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acropora_cervicornis
o
Video
from Belize 2010
o Gorgonia ventalina
o Habitat: seaward side of shallow reefs &
slopes
o Key ID traits:
·
Large
fan in single plane
·
Commonly
purple but occasionally yellow or brownish
o http://www.thecephalopodpage.org/MarineInvertebrateZoology/Gorgoniaventalina.html
o
Video
of purple sea fans on a shipwreck, from Belize 2010
o Colpophyllia natans
o Habitat: reef tops & seaward reef slopes;
most common 20-80 feet deep
o Key ID traits:
·
Large
rounded domes with convoluted system of ridges/valleys on surface
· Typically, ridges are brown and valleys are green, tan, or whitish
o http://species-identification.org/species.php?species_group=caribbean_diving_guide&id=305
o
Video
of brain coral on a shipwreck, from Belize 2010
o Condylactis gigantean
o Habitat: reef crevasses
o Key ID traits:
·
Largest
of anemones
·
Tentacles
& body white w/tints of gray, brown, yellow or green
·
Tentacles
are long w/slightly enlarged tips that may be pink, lavender, yellow, or occasionally
white
o Tidbits:
·
A number
of cleaning shrimp are known to associate with this anemone
· Nematocysts are not toxic to humans, although they may produce mild irritation to sensitive skin
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condylactis_gigantea
o Spotted in only one place in Jan 2010: Hol Chan Marine Preserve
o Strombus gigas
o Habitat: seagrass
beds & sand flats
o Key ID traits:
·
Large, orangeish shell w/blunt spikes
·
Aperture
is rosy pink
o Tidbits:
· Commonly served deep fried throughout the Caribbean
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strombus_gigas
o Spotted in abundance in Jan 2010
o Cyphoma gibbosum
o Habitat: attached to gorgonian corals (like
common sea fan), which they feed on
o Key ID traits:
· Cream-white shell covered w/orangeish spots w/black outlines
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyphoma_gibbosum
o Spotted in abundance in Jan 2010, always on a purple sea fan
o Aplysia dactylomela
o Habitat: prefer grassy flats w/scattered
rocks; we will likely see them in rock crevasses of jetty near boat dock
o Key ID traits:
·
Light
brown to green w/irregular spots outlined in black
o Tidbits:
· When disturbed, will discharge ink
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aplysia_dactylomela
o
Video
of Prof. Newcomb showing off a sea hare from Belize 2010
o Spotted frequently in Belize Jan 2010 near boat dock
o Sepioteuthis sepioidea
o Habitat: shallow waters, often swimming over
reefs and seagrass beds
o Key ID traits:
·
Color
varies: during day bluish gray to brown w/white spots on back; at night mottled
& spotted in shades of white, brown, green & lavender
·
Arms/tentacles
are shorter than body
o Tidbits:
·
Use jet
propulsion (squirting water out of a siphon) to rapidly move
· Can release ink, like spotted seahare
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sepioteuthis_sepioidea
o
Video
from Belize 2010
o Spotted once in Jan 2010 in Belize, during Hol Chan night dive
Christmas
tree worm
o Spirobranchus giganteus
o Habitat: all areas of reefs; tubes usually encased in living coral
o Key ID traits:
·
Two
spiraled crowns
·
Tubes
usually hidden
o Tidbits:
·
May
retract crowns into tube when approached
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_tree_worm
o Spotted frequently in Jan 2010 in Belize, often associated with brain coral
o Panulirus argus
o Habitat: protective recesses of reefs
o Key ID traits:
·
Carapace
has shaded areas of brown & tan w/few dark spots
·
Pair of
long, conical antennae
o Tidbits:
·
When
disturbed, can swim backwards with powerful strokes of tail
·
Occasional
mass migrations of up to 50 individuals move in a single-file line
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean_spiny_lobster
o
Video
from Belize 2010
o Spotted on occasion in Jan 2010 in Belize, usually tucked in crevasses on reefs
o The photo above shows a molted shell of a spiny lobster
o Scyllarides aequinoctialis
o Habitat: protective recesses of coral reefs
o Key ID traits:
·
Reddish
brown to orangish brown
·
Flattened,
plate-like antennae
o Tidbits:
·
When
disturbed, can swim backwards with rapid, powerful strokes of tail
·
Also
known as the “shovel-nosed lobster”
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scyllarides_aequinoctialis
o
Video
from Belize 2010
o Spotted once in Jan 2010 in Belize, in Hol Chan during night dive
Photo from
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/brittlestars.htm
o Ophiocoma paucigranulata
o Habitat: associate w/living corals of reef
o Key ID traits:
·
Numerous,
long, pointed spines cover arms
·
Shades
of brown
o Spotted once in Jan 2010 in Belize, in Hol Chan during night dive
o http://www.wetwebmedia.com/brittlestars.htm
o Diadema antillarum
o Habitat: everywhere! (may hide in recesses during day)
o Key ID traits:
·
Numerous
long, thin, sharp spines
·
All
black
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diadema_antillarum
o Spotted frequently in Jan 2010 in Belize, often in crevasses of reefs
Photo from
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/208755/product.web
o Lytechinus variegates
o Habitat: sea grass beds & reefs
o Key ID traits:
·
Densely
covered w/short spines which part to form grooves at joints of major plates
·
Commonly
white to green in Caribbean
o Tidbits:
·
Often
cover themselves w/sea grass & other debris
·
Squat
urchin shrimp often lives among spines
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lytechinus_variegatus
o Spotted on occasion in Jan 2010 in Belize, often in crevasses of reefs
o Tripneustes ventricosus
o Habitat: sea grass beds & occasionally reefs
o Key ID traits:
·
Densely
covered w/short spines
·
Body
usually black
o Tidbits:
·
Often
cover themselves w/sea grass & other debris
·
Harvested
for roe
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripneustes_ventricosus
o Spotted on occasion in Jan 2010 in Belize, often in crevasses of reefs
o Eucidaris tribuloides
o Habitat: sea grass beds, reef rubble, &
reefs; often hide in sheltered locations
o Key ID traits:
·
Thick,
cylindrical, blunt spines
·
Body
reddish brown
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucidaris_tribuloides
o Spotted on occasion in Jan 2010 in Belize, often in crevasses of reefs
o The photo above was taken in Hawaii (off Puako, Big Island, Summer 2009)
o Clypeaster subdepressus
o Habitat: sandy areas around reefs; tend to burrow beneath sand
o Key ID traits:
·
Disc-shaped
w/no notches or holes
·
Pentagonal
petal design on back
·
Living
specimens are shades of brown; shells of dead specimens are gray
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand_dollar
o Spotted on occasion in Jan 2010 in Belize, usually on the sand of soft-bottom communities
o Holothuria mexicana
o Habitat: sea grass beds & sandy areas
around reefs; most common between 10 & 35 feet deep
o Key ID traits:
·
Dark
gray to black w/deep, conspicuous creases
o Tidbits:
·
Like all
sea cucumbers, if disturbed, may “spit” water
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holothuria_mexicana
o
Video
from Belize 2010
o Spotted on occasion in Jan 2010 in Belize, usually on the sand of soft-bottom communities
o Pomacanthus arcuatus
o Habitat: swim about reefs, often in pairs
o Key ID traits:
·
Adult: yellow inner face
of pectoral fin; square-cut tail
·
Juvenile: square-cut tail
with white to transparent margin
o Tidbits:
·
May clean parasites and
debris from larger fish
·
Swim with short, straight
motions
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomacanthus_arcuatus
o Spotted on occasion in Jan 2010 in Belize, usually around reefs
o Holacanthus ciliaris
o Habitat: reefs
o Key ID traits:
·
Adult: dark blue spot on
forehead, speckled and ringed with brilliant blue; yellow tail
·
Juvenile: second blue
body bar is curved
o Tidbits:
·
Often act as cleaners
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_angelfish
o Spotted on occasion in Jan 2010 in Belize, usually around reefs
o Click here to see a Fall 2010 student PowerPoint on this species
Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/hbpeggy/2696844092/
o Hemiramphus brasiliensis
o Habitat: shallow inshore waters, swimming/drifting just
below surface
o Key ID traits:
·
Upper lobe of tail yellow
to orange
·
Upper jaw extremely
short; lower jaw long with yellow to orange/red tip
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballyhoo
o
Video
from Belize 2010
o Spotted on occasion in Jan 2010 in Belize, usually just under the surface
o Microspathodon chrysurus
o Habitat: reef tops; juveniles often inhabit
areas of fire coral
o Key ID traits:
·
Adult: yellow tail
·
Juvenile: brilliant blue
dots on dark blue; translucent to whitish tail
o Tidbits:
·
Juveniles sometimes
called jewelfish because of bright blue dots
·
Adults can sometimes be
approached
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microspathodon_chrysurus
o Spotted on occasion in Jan 2010 in Belize, usually around reefs
Photo from
http://www.ictbz.com/bits/photos/group/78162188@N00/photo//photo/395407735/Peacock_Flounder.html
o Bothus lunatus
o Habitat: sand, coral rubble, and sea grass; rest motionless
on bottom, blending with background
o Key ID traits:
·
Numerous blue rosettes
over entire body
·
Numerous blue spots on
fins and head
o Tidbits:
·
Can darken or pale and
change color dramatically to match bottom
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peacock_flounder
o Spotted once in Jan 2010 in Belize, on sandy bottom
o Mulloidichthys martinicus
o Habitat: sandy areas near reefs
o Key ID traits:
·
Yellow tail and midbody stripe
·
Two barbels
under tip of chin
o Tidbits:
·
Use barbels
to dig in sand
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_goatfish
o Spotted on occasion in Jan 2010 in Belize, typically on sand around reefs
o Mycteroperca bonaci
o Habitat: near reefs, often drifting near bottom
o Key ID traits:
·
Ends of rectangular
blotches on upper body are nearly square
·
Tail has wide, black
margin with thin, whit edge
o Tidbits:
·
Big: 1.5-3 feet long
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_grouper
o Spotted on occasion in Jan 2010 in Belize, typically near bottom around reefs
Photo from
http://iblog.at/fptravels/tag/yellow-tail-snapper/
o Epinephelus striatus
o Habitat: shallow to mid-range coral reefs,
often resting on bottom
o Key ID traits:
·
Black saddle spot on base
of tail
·
Dorsal fin notched
between forward spines
o Tidbits:
·
Big: 1-2 feet long
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nassau_grouper
o Spotted on occasion in Jan 2010 in Belize, typically near bottom around reefs
o Haemulon sciuris
o Habitat: congregate in small to midsized schools near reefs
o Key ID traits:
·
Dark tail and rear dorsal
fin
·
Blue stripes
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Striped_Grunt
o Spotted frequently in Jan 2010 in Belize, typically in large schools near reefs
o
Video
of a school of bluestriped grunts (and others) from
Belize 2010
o Haemulon flavolineatum
o Habitat: congregate in small to midsized schools near reefs
o Key ID traits:
·
Dark tail and rear dorsal
fin
·
Blue stripes
o Spotted on occasion in Jan 2010 in Belize, typically in schools near reefs
o Lachnolaimus maximus
o Habitat: most
common on open bottoms but sometimes on reefs
o Key ID traits:
·
First three spines of dorsal fin are long
·
Black blotch near end of dorsal fin
o Tidbits:
·
Get their name from their pronounced snout
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hogfish
o Spotted on occasion in Jan 2010 in Belize, typically near bottom
o Caranx latus
o Habitat: open water over
reefs, often in small groups to large schools
o Key ID traits:
·
Large eyes
·
Usually bright yellow tail
·
Dark, nearly black scutes
(specialized scales along rear portion of lateral line)
o Tidbits:
·
Occasionally will rapidly approach and swirl around
snorkelers/divers
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse-eye_jack
o Spotted frequently in Jan 2010 in Belize, typically in open water
Photo from
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NxdZVEwTPvchhsAnwafSQQ
o Scarus taeniopterus
o Habitat: reefs
o Key ID traits:
·
Adults: borders of tail yellow to orange or pink;
yellow or orangish stripe down midbody,
fading toward rear
·
Juveniles: borders of tail dark
o Tidbits:
·
Scrape algae from rocks and coral
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Parrotfish
o Spotted on occasion in Jan 2010 in Belize, typically near reefs
o Click here to see a Fall 2010 student PowerPoint on this species
o Scarus vetula
o Habitat: reefs
o Key ID traits:
·
Dramatic blue to green markings around mouth
·
Light bar on pectoral fin
o Tidbits:
·
Scrape algae from rocks and coral
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_parrotfish
o Spotted on occasion in Jan 2010 in Belize, typically near reefs
o Sparisoma viride
o Habitat: reefs
o Key ID traits:
·
Adults: bright yellow spot at upper corner of gill
cover; yellow area at base of tail; salmon to yellow crescent on tail
·
Intermediate: red belly and tail
·
Juvenile: three rows of widely spaced white spots
run length of body
o Tidbits:
·
Scrape algae from rocks and coral
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoplight_parrotfish
o Spotted on occasion in Jan 2010 in Belize (especially intermediate forms), typically near reefs
o Diodon hystrix
o Habitat: in or near cave
openings/reef recesses; occasionally in grassy areas
o Key ID traits:
·
Spots on fins
o Tidbits:
·
Long spines erect only when inflated
· Also known as the spotted spiny puffer
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diodon_hystrix
o Spotted once in Jan 2010 in Belize, over seagrass at Turtle Rock Island
o Click here to see a Fall 2010 student PowerPoint on this species
o Remora remora
o Habitat: attach to
large free-swimming fishes and turtles
o Key ID traits:
·
Uniform coloration without distinctive markings
o Tidbits:
·
Have a radically modified fin that forms a sucking
disc on top of the head for attaching to host
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remora_remora
o Spotted once in Jan 2010 in Belize, attached to loggerhead turtle
o Holacanthus tricolor
o Habitat: establish defined
territories on reefs
o Key ID traits:
·
Yellow to yellow-orange forebody
and tail
·
Mid and rear body black
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_beauty
o Spotted frequently in Jan 2010 in Belize, typically on reefs
o Scorpaena plumier
o Habitat: lie
motionless on reefs and bottom habitats, blending with background
o Key ID traits:
·
Three dark bars on tail
·
Back side of pectoral fin, near base, has black area
with brilliant white spots
o Tidbits:
·
Spines on foredorsal fin
are venomous and can cause severe pain and illness in humans
o http://www.fishbase.org/summary/speciessummary.php?id=1201
o
Video
from Belize 2010
o Spotted once in Jan 2010 in Belize, camouflaged on bottom
o Abudefduf saxatilis
o Habitat: all habitats,
most often in midwater; sometimes in loose
aggregations
o Key ID traits:
·
Five black body bars
·
Upper lip does not overhang lower
o Tidbits:
·
Egg-guarding males aggressively chase intruders
away from nests
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergeant_major_%28fish%29
o Spotted frequently in Jan 2010 in Belize, in midwater around various habitats
o Click here to see a Fall 2010 student PowerPoint on this species
o
Video
of a school of juvenile blueheads (and some sergeant
majors) from Belize 2010
o Lutjanus jocu
o Habitat: mid-range reefs
and wrecks
o Key ID traits:
·
Pale triangular patch under eye
o Tidbits:
·
Can be found as far north as Massachusetts
o http://www.fishbase.org/summary/speciessummary.php?id=154
o Spotted on occasion in Jan 2010 in Belize, in midwater around reefs
o Ocyurus chrysurus
o Habitat: above reefs; can
be found alone or in loose schools
o Key ID traits:
·
Brilliant yellow midbody
stripe and tail
o Tidbits:
·
Typically unafraid of snorkelers
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowtail_snapper
o
Video
of a cave dive, where you’ll see me swim right by a yellowtail snapper. from
Belize 2010
o Spotted on occasion in Jan 2010 in Belize, around reefs
o Holocentrus adscensionis
o Habitat: during day,
drifts inconspicuously in shaded areas near bottom
o Key ID traits:
·
Yellowish front dorsal fin
o Tidbits:
·
Big eyes!
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squirrelfish
o Spotted frequently in Jan 2010 in Belize, hidden in shady spots of reefs
o Acanthurus coeruleus
o Habitat: shallow reef
tops; often in loose schools
o Key ID traits:
·
Adult: white or yellow spine on base of tail
·
Intermediate: blue head and body; yellow tail
·
Juvenile: bright yellow overall
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acanthurus_coeruleus
o Spotted frequently in Jan 2010 in Belize, near reefs
Photo from
http://www.richard-seaman.com/Underwater/Belize/SportFish/index.html
o Megalops atlanticus
o Habitat: drift in canyons
and secluded areas; normally school during the day
o Key ID traits:
·
Upturned mouth
o Tidbits:
·
Can get up to 8 feet long!
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarpon
o Spotted once in Jan 2010 in Belize, in canyon at Hol Chan
o Balistes vetula
o Habitat: reef tops, coral
rubble, and grass beds
o Key ID traits:
·
Streaming tips on rear dorsal and tail fan
·
Two blue stripes on face
·
Small lines radiate from around eye
o Tidbits:
·
Fond of eating sea urchins
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_triggerfish
o Spotted on occasion in Jan 2010 in Belize, around reefs
o Aulostomus maculatus
o Habitat: coral reefs
o Key ID traits:
·
Trumpet-like mouth
o Tidbits:
·
Often drift in vertical position with head down,
paralleling stalks of sea rods
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trumpetfish
o Spotted on occasion in Jan 2010 in Belize, around reefs
o Lactophrys bicaudalis
o Habitat: often above
reefs, hovering in openings or under ledges
o Key ID traits:
·
White, covered with black spots, including tail
·
White around mouth
o Tidbits:
·
Very funky-shaped fish!
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotted_trunkfish
o
Video1
and Video2
of a spotted trunkfish, shot during a night dive at Hol
Chan, from Belize 2010
o Spotted on occasion in Jan 2010 in Belize, usually around sea grass beds
o Thalassoma bifasciatum
o Also known as the bluehead wrasse
o Habitat: around reefs,
sometimes in schools
o Key ID traits:
·
Adult: blue head; two dark bars behind head,
separated by white bar
·
Intermediate & juvenile: black spot behind
second dorsal ray extends to base of fin
o Tidbits:
·
May act as cleaners for larger fish
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thalassoma_bifasciatum
o
Video
of a school of juvenile blueheads (and some sergeant
majors) from Belize 2010
o Spotted frequently in Jan 2010 in Belize, around reefs and conch graveyard
o Halichoeres bivittatus
o Habitat: around reefs,
adjacent sandy areas and grass beds
o Key ID traits:
·
Small green and yellow bicolored spot above
pectoral fin
·
Darkish to black midbody
stripe with a second, lower stripe that is less distinct
·
Dark triangular corners on tail
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slippery_dick
o Spotted frequently in Jan 2010 in Belize, around reefs and conch graveyard
o
Galeocerdo cuvier
o
Key ID
features: dark bars and blotches on body
o
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_shark
o
Found in tropical waters throughout the world
o
Mostly lone, nocturnal hunters of large prey
o
Known to attack humans
o
If you see one, leave!
o
Not spotted in Belize 2010
o
Click
here to see a student PowerPoint on this species
PLATE 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
Commons
Island
Community
History
Visitor Center
Goods & Services Search
Messages
