Either solitary or in small groups, Barracuda frequently approach divers and follow them around the reef, as if they were curious. There have never been documented attacks on divers.

Very shy, will hide in coral holes and lock themselves in plave by raising their dorsal spine. Tend to live below 20'.

Gobies have two dorsal fins, while Blennies have one, long continous fin.

Swim in large groups feeding on plankton, mixed with Brown Chromis and Damselfish (which are the same family)

Travel in large schools in offshore waters.

Can be solitary on shallow reeftops, but frequently in large schools, which will often include Surgeonfish and Doctorfish.Tend to ignore divers, but will move away when approached.

Shown here:
Banded Butterflyfish
Chaetodon Stratus

Flits about reef tops, often in pairs. Tend to ignore divers, but will move away when approached.

(Gray Angelfish
Pomacanthus arcuatus)

Unafraid of divers, easy to approach. Frequently found in pairs.

Solitary on reef walls and bottoms. Can be found frequently in cleaning stations.

Other Groupers: Jewfish, Nassau, Red, Yellowfin, Black, Yellowmouth, Comb, Marbled & (Red) Hinds, Greysbys,Coneys.

Features: Grunts come in many sides and are abundant throughout the Caribbean. Most have multiple horizontal stripes on face and body. "V" shaped tail, sloping head & tapered body. Frequently travel in groups. Differnent varieties prefer different depths.

Drifts above bottom and in sea grass, feeds on small crustaceans.

Swim in open water in schools, sometimes mixed with other jacks, such as Crevalle.

Reclusive, found in caves and wrecks.

Very uncommon, plankton feeder generally ignores divers unless closely approached. Can be distinguished from Devil Rays, who have mouth on bottom of body like stingrays.

Parrot fish are distinctive because of their brilliant colors, an their swimming style, using only their pectoral fins, giving them the illusion of 'flying' through the water. All posess long bodies and powerful jaws that look like beaks which they use to scrape the coral. Colors vary greatly from Juvenile to Adult, and many female adults switch sex to become 'Supermales.'

A member of the Jack family (Crevalle, Horse-eye), they are deep sea predators, schools will sometimes approach reefs to feed on small fish.

Shy, hide in coral holes & cave openings.

Can be approached on sandy bottoms.

Unafraid of divers. Territorial, will defend coral 'nests'. Member of Damselfish family.

Allow divers to approach closely. Territorially grasp branches of seafans or grasses with their tails.

Can be approached closely as they lie motionless on the ground. Lie on the sand, under coral ledges and overhangs.

Along with Anchovies, Herring & Scad, there are 10 different species which are virtually impossible to distinguish. Travel in large schools that are dense and 'polarized'. Will part and flow around divers and predators.

Swim in schools in open water. Sometimes approach divers, attracted by the bubbles.

Very shy, will leave area soon after spotting divers. Feed on mollusks on sandy bottoms.

Rarely seen in schools. Queen, Gray, Ocean and Sargassum species.

Normally solitary, unafraid of divers. An awkward swimmer.

All have buck teeth that protrude, and come in diverse colors. Long bodies, similar to their close relations, the Parrotfish. Also change sex at adulthood. Wrasse frequently 'staff' cleaning stations and remove parasites and dead scales from larger fish at 'cleaning stations'.

Swim alone or small schools above reefs. Unafraid of divers and will approach closely.

Noctural feeders. Distinctive big eyes. Range of colors. Generally small size.

Rarely found swimming free, normally only heads protrude from holes in coral. Generally nocturnal feeders.

Can be closely approached as they rely on careful camoflage. Move only when diver gets too close.