Caribbean Reef Octopus
(Octopus briareus)
The Caribbean Reef Octopus is common along the Costa Maya and off the shores of Cozumel. Like most octopi, this species is nocturnal. They are easy to find (for an octopus) by snorkeling in shallow water at night with a powerful dive light as they reflect a distinctive blue-green color. This coloring comes from large, specialized cells in the octopus’ skin called chromatophores, which also allow for instant color changes.
The Caribbean Reef Octopus has rather sophisticated eyes and excellent vision. Once its prey is spotted, it is captured using the suckers lining the underside of each of the eight arms, and bitten by a beak located at base of arms. This beak injects the prey with a toxin which then paralyzes it. Small fish aren’t the only thing a Caribbean Reef Octopus will snack on; sometimes feeding on other octopi, usually the weak or injured adults and/or their young.
The Octopus travels by forcing water from its mantle through a highly directable tube (called a siphon) to gain thrust when swimming. It is also a shape shifter, with the ability to squeeze its body through tiny cracks in the reef the size of key holes.
Clown Fish (Amphiprion percula)
The Clown Fish is bright orange with three white vertical stripes and rounded fins that have thick black margins. Clown Fish are also called Clown Anemonefish, as they make their home among sea anemone; fish-eating animals that look like undersea flowers and have hundreds of poisonous tentacles. The anemone's tentacles kill other fish that touch them, but the Clown fish seems to be immune to its poison. Scientists think that the Clown fish may be coated with a mucous that protects it from becoming an anemone’s prey. The anemone protects the Clown fish from most predators, who know not to go near the anemone's tentacles.
Parrot Fish (Scarus viride)
The Parrot Fish can be recognized by its large, heavy scales and a beak-like jaw. The different species of Parrot Fish can be distinguished by the upper and lower teeth structure in the jaw, as well as their distinctive coloring.
These herbivorous reef fish graze on corals and algae growing on the surfaces of rocks throughout the reef. The strong beak-like fused teeth are used to bite off pieces of stony corals. It is not the hard coral skeleton that provides nourishment, but rather the coral polyps that grow on the surface of this skeleton. Living within these coral polyps are various forms of algae and plankton which the Parrot Fish receives nourishment from.
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Parrotfish can undergo sex reversals during their life history. It is believed that sex changes occur when population densities are low, resulting in a lack of breeding males or females. Primary males are born male, and remain so throughout their lives while secondary males are born female, changing both sex and color to become male, and remain so throughout their lives while secondary males are born female, changing both sex and color to become male.
Queen Triggerfish (Balistes vetula)
The Queen Triggerfish ranks along with the Queen Angelfish as one of the most beautiful fish of the Caribbean. The base color of the fish is a light yellow while the dorsal and posterior fins are tinted in blue, and the patterns of colors can range from purple, blue, turquoise and green. An interesting aspect of this fish is its ability to rapidly darken or lighten their colors, possibly for mating or as a defense mechanism.
The Triggerfish often feeds on sea urchins, flipping them over and attacking the underside. All Triggerfish have the unique ability to lock their first two dorsal spines in an upright position, providing a defense against the larger predators of the oceans that try to make a meal of them.
Splendid Toadfish (Sanopus splendidus)
The Splendid Toadfish, a.k.a. Coral Toadfish, is quite an interesting fish. This toadfish is unique in that it has only been found in one place just off Cozumel Island!
The flattened head is especially striking with its densely packed black and white stripes. The ventral fins are entirely yellow; the rest of the fins have an attractive yellow boarder. When identifying the Splendid Toadfish, also look for the very prominent barbels around its mouth.
Splendid Toadfish may be splendid and colorful, but they aren’t that interested when it comes to the spotlight. This is a shy species, most likely to be found in crevices and other dark recesses, where it is supported by its pectoral fins. They are most frequently seen hiding amongst the coral with only the head visible. If you want to try and get a full view of its entire body, try coaxing it out with some pieces of fruit, like ripe melon!
We hope that you enjoy all the beautiful fish that the Caribbean has to offer. There are more fish in the sea than we could possibly name, but good luck in looking for and identifying as many as you can find!
Remember, most of these fish live in protected parks and habitats! We at Trans Caribbean Trust ask that you enjoy them as a spectator, don’t try and capture and keep them. Let them be enjoyed by all in their natural environment!
Andrew Synyshyn
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