We went diving around Turneffe Atoll and Lighthouse Reef.
SpongesThere are many kinds of sponges - tube sponges, barrel sponges, vase sponges, encrusting sponges...
Fan Blue HoleWe dove the blue hole at Lighthouse Reef. At about 100 feet, or 30 meters, there are big stalactites from when this was above water. Now they are covered with marine growth.
Yellow-headed Jawfish, Opistognathus aurifronsThe jawfish lives in a hole.
TrunkfishTrunkfish are among Charlotte's favorites. Here are a smooth trunkfish, Lactophrys triqueter, and a spotted trunkfish, Lactophrys bicaudalis.
Yellowhead Wrasses, Halichoeres garnoti Creole Wrasses, Clepticus parrae Yellowtail Snapper, Ocyurus chrysurusScorpionfish sit on the bottom and try to look like coral or sponges. When an unsuspecting small fish wanders by they quickly open their mouth and gulp it.
If you don't see a fish in the photo on the left, look again. It is looking straight at you, and you can see the eyes, nostrils, and mouth.
ToadfishHere is another bottom-dweller.
Red Hind, Epinephelus guttatus Nassau Grouper, Epinephelus striatus Spotted Goatfish, Pseuduperaus maculatus Indigo Hamlet, Hypoplectrus indigo Stoplight Parrotfish, Sparisoma viride Flamingo Tongue, Cyphoma gibbusumThese are not related to flamingos, but are a shell. The spots are the mantle of the animal.
Red Hermit Crab, Paguristes cadenatiThis is a very small hermit crab. It is walking on a sponge.
TurtlesThe turtle on the left is a Green turtle, Chelonia mydas, and the one on the right is a Hawksbill, Eretmochelys imbricata. They live in the water all the time, coming on land only to lay eggs. They breathe air so they must swim to the surface occasionally.
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Last modified 4 November 2019