Barracuda

 

the barracuda is a ray-finned fish known for its large size and fearsome appearance. Its body is long, fairly compressed, and covered with small, smooth scales. Some species could reach up to 1.8m in length and 30 cm in width. Barracudas are elongated fish, pike-like in appearance, with prominent sharp-edged fang-like teeth, much like piranhas, that are all of different sizes which are set in sockets of their large jaws.

Pufferfish

Pufferfish are part of the family tetraodontidae which include blowfish, ballonfish, and many others as well. They are considered to be the second-most poisonous vertebrates in the world after the Golden Poison Frog. However, not all are poisonous. They tend to feed on crustaceans and mollusks.

Conch

 

Conch is a name applied to many different species of sea snails and their shells. Slow moving, they are an excellent source of food. Conch diving is a big sport in the Caribbean. After the snails are eaten, the conch shells are used for many different things. Musical instruments and decorations are the most common.

Cownose Rays

Like sharks, cownose rays are cartilaginous fish. Cownose rays are named after the indent in their face which resembles a cow's nose. A smaller species of ray, their wing span can grow up to 45 inches. Cownose rays have a certain type of camouflage where their underbellies are white and their backs are a dark tan. Thus, if a predator was looking from above, they would blend in with the sand and ocean, but if the predator was below them they would blend in with the sun.

Rays have the bad reputation of being related to the death of Steve Erwin. Although they do have a barb at the end of their tail, rays are rarely poisonous. Their venom is as weak as a bee sting. Steve Erwin just happened ot have been stung in the heart. 

Lobsters

 

Contrary to popular belief, lobsters are not only found in the colder waters but down in the Caribbean too. It takes ten years for a lobster to grow to a pound. Most lobsters in the Caribbean are over ten years old. They are not caught as much as in the norht, so they are able to live and grow much bigger. 

Moray Eel

Moray eels are nocturnal creatures so unless you are on a night dive, the times you will see them are sleeping in the coral reef. The biggest misconception with these animals is that they are electric. The coloring of a green moray eel is actually mucus that the eel secretes to coat its body. The real danger with these animals are their teeth. Divers should not stick their hands into places unknown because if a moray eel is sleeping there, it is likely to bite you.

Queen Angelfish

 

The Queen Angelfish is found on the coral reefs of the Western Atlantic Ocean. They are usually found alone or sometimes as a pair. They can get quite large, up to 18 inches. Unlike other angelfish, the Queen angelfish has a purple spot at the top of their head, which gives them their name. Angelfish live off of sponges on the coral reef and are very plentiful.

Dolphins

One of the friendliest and smartest animals in the ocean, it is rare to see dolphins while diving. They tend to follow motor boats, playing in their wake. However, once in a while you may run into one or two. Dolphins tend to travel together in families they call pods. The most common dolphin out of it's 40 species is the bottle nose dolphin. What most people do not know is that the orca, or killer whale, is a species of dolphin as well. Smart animals, they use echolocation to find their food in the dark depths of the ocean. Dolphin teeth are believed to function as antennae to receive incoming sound and to pinpoint the exact location of an object. It is always exciting to see a dolphin in the wild. Unlike other marine animals, these mammals are not afraid of humans and will approach divers.