Coral Reef Fact: One big threat to the ocean sunfish (Mola mola) or common mola is floating litter such as plastic bags which resemble their main food, jellyfish. Bags can choke and suffocate an individual or fill its stomach to the extent that it starves.Learn more Please support Reef Relief’s work to keep our reefs […]
Coral Reef Fact: The Rough Sea Plume/Feather Gorgonian (Muriceopis flavida) can form different shapes depending on water movement. A bushy appearance occurs in turbulent waters. A flat fan shape occurs when the water current sways the gorgonian back and forth. Please support Reef Relief’s work to protect coral reefs. More info
Coral Reef Fact: Learn more here Flamingo tongue (Cyphoma gibbosum) snails are recognized world wide as having beautiful shells. However, the brightly colored spots on the shell are not permanent. The color of the shell is due to the mantle of the animal inside the shell. When the animal dies, all that is left is […]
Coral Reef Fact: The larva of the Sea Spider has a body that consists of only a head and its three pairs of cephalic appendages only: the chelifores, palps and ovigers. The abdomen and the thorax with its thoracic appendages develops later. Learn more
Coral Reef Fact: nursesharkvideo.jpg Nurse sharks are nocturnal animals, spending the day in large inactive groups of up to 40 individuals. Hidden under submerged ledges or in crevices within the reef, the nurse sharks seem to prefer specific resting sites and will return to them each day after the night’s hunting. Please support our work […]
Coral Reef Fact: When bearded fireworms (Hermodice carunculata) come to the surface to mate, the females start to emit a greenish phosphorescent glow. This attracts the males, which dart towards the females, emitting flashing lights at the same time. As the different sexes approach each other, the sex cells are shed and combine. For more […]
Coral Reef Fact: Short-finned pilot whales feed mostly on squid, but they may also feed on octopus and fish, all from a water depth of 1000 feet (305 m) or more. They are known as the ‘Cheetahs of the Deep’ for their high speed pursuits of squids at these depths. Learn more Support Reef Relief’s work to […]
Reef Fact: Scorpaenidae, scorpionfish, are a family of mostly marine fish (including the Red Lionfish) that includes many of the world’s most venomous species . Worldwide, scorpionfish rank second only to stingrays in total number of envenomations, with an estimated occurrence of approximately 40,000 – 50,000 cases annually. Support Reef Relief’s work to protect coral […]
Coral Reef Fact: If a male lionfish (Pterois volitans) meets another male while hunting, the more aggressive male will turn darker in color and point its poisonous, spiny dorsal fins at the other individual who usually folds down its pectoral fins and swims away. Learn more Please support Reef Relief’s work to protect coral reefs.
Coral Reef Fact: Some sea slugs (nudibranchs) that feed on corals & sea anemones ingest the stinging cells of their prey without discharging them; these pass from the digestive tract to the ceratia (feathery structures) where they are used by the slug for its own defense. (watch video) Please support Reef Relief’s work to protect […]