Photo Gallery

This species is considered very territorial and like other reef fishes, it produces sounds in response to disturbance, and in spawning events. It defends its crevice using grunts to warn of danger and in groups to intimidate predators such as the Moray eel. It can grow to 7.8 inches and has been harvested on a small scale. In the Dominican Republic this fish is called Candil.

Range & Habitat

The squirrelfish is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Also in Bermuda, North Carolina ( USA) and Brazil. In the Eastern Atlantic it is found in tropical and subtropical waters of Ascension island, Sao Tome island and Gabon, South to Angola. They occur at shallow coral reefs and deeper waters ( 180 meters/590 feet ) though commonly at 30 meters/100 feet.

Range map of Squirrel fish worldwide

It is found in most diving sites off the coast of Sosua, Dominican Republic, as well as other sites around the island. It is a nocturnal species, preying over seagrass and sandy bottoms at night. During daytime, it hides in crevices and under ledges to avoid predators. Juveniles form aggregations, and adults are more isolated within established territories. Its sound-producing ability using their swim bladder allows them to communicate with each other.

Feeding, Size & Breeding

Holocentrus adscensionis feeds nocturnally on meroplankton such as crab larvae, shrimp larvae, small crustaceans and other smaller fishes. Squirrelfish reaches a size of 24 inches (61 cm), most commonly found at 9.8 inches (25cm). This species spawn year round in the warmer regions of its range, and only in the warmer months in the cooler waters of higher latitudes. Sexual maturity is reached at 5.7 inches (14.6 cm) .

Known Predators

Squirrelfish known predators are the yellowfin Tuna, Dolphinfish, Longlure Frogfish, seabirds and the Sooty tern.

On Video

Sources:

• Florida Museum – Holocentrus adscensionis
• Wikipedia – Long Spine Squirrelfish
• ASA Journal  -Sounds of Squirrelfish

The post Long Spine Squirrel Fish appeared first on Sosua Beach Dominican Republic.

Photo Gallery

The black bar across the head serves the purpose of confusing predators by hiding the real eye and having an eye spot near the tail. A predator normally attacks the head, and when attacking the wrong end, the Spotfin can make a quick escape to safety. In juveniles,  a second black bar runs from the base of the dorsal fin to the base of the anal fin; and the fins are all yellow or transparent.

Habitat & Range

This species inhabits the Western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, including the Caribbean Sea tropical waters, around latitudes 37°N – 8°N, 99°W – 58°W. It is common in the Dominican Republic, including Sosua`s shallow reefs of depths of 0-30 meters. It is a solitary species, that forms pairs when breeding. It will often select a crevice or coral head and spend most of its life there.  Juveniles reside in sea grass beds, and adults are often found in pairs or small groups.

Spotfin butterflyfish range map

Feeding & Defense

The Spotfin butterflyfish is a daytime feeder. They rely on vision to catch their prey, and feed on anemones, tube worms, gorgonians and tunicates. They are quick to swim out when sensing danger, and use defense when needed. It has sharp fin rays that are extended when the fish feels threatened.

Reproduction

This species spawns at early dusk in pairs, and the courtship starts chasing each other around in circles, until one swims off and the other follows. It is believed they spawn all year, peaking during summer. The eggs hatch into larvae within a day of fertilization, drifting in the ocean, hence the wide range. Shallow water predators eat most of the juveniles, and those who escape stay alive in the crevices until they become adults.

On Video

Sources:

• Fishbase – Spotfin Butterfly Fish
• Acqua.org – Chaetodon ocellatus
• Lamar.edu – Spotfin Butterfly fish

The post Spotfin Butterfly Fish appeared first on Sosua Beach Dominican Republic.

Seahorses, one might imagine, are masterpieces of evolution, reaching their unique morphology and niche in the web of life through many twists and turns over millions of years. There are 32 distinct species, of which three are found in the Caribbean waters, The Lined Seahorse, Dwarf Seahorse and the Long Snout ( Slender ) Seahorse.

1) The Lined Seahorse:

The Lined Seahorse (Hippocampus erectus) is a diurnal species, found in many colors (grey, blacks, reds, green, oranges). It measures 15 cm (5.9 inches ) and its lifespan is 1-4 years. It swims in erect position, supported by its dorsal and pectoral fins. Males have bigger bodies, with longer tails. This species is monogamous, keeping the same partner for life, and only on rare cases finding a new partner if one of the two dies.

Photo Gallery:

Range & Habitat

The lined seahorse distribution spans Northern Nova Scotia, down to the Caribbean, and South America. They can also be found on the east coast of the USA and the waters surrounding Mexico. The island of Dominican Republic including Sosua`s reefs are abundant with seahorses.

Feeding Habits

The lined seahorse uses its long snout to eat its prey, and mainly feeds on tiny mollusks, zooplankton and crustaceans. It has been reported that captive parental males have been known to cannibalize some of its juveniles. Seahorses are masters of camouflage, changing color to blend with its surroundings.

Behavior & Reproduction

As in other seahorse species, the male fertilizes the eggs internally and gives birth to its offspring. After courtship, the female sprays her eggs into the male`s pouch where the eggs take about 3 weeks to incubate. When ready to hatch, the male will release the juveniles into the water column by arching his back and pushing out hundreds, if not thousands of newborns that measure about 11mm at birth.

Known Predators

The lined seahorse is prey to Rays, Seabirds, Sharks, Tuna, dolphinfish, crabs and skates. Even though they are good at camouflage, their slow swimming makes them an easy target for predators. This species is not considered endangered, though its habitat loss is of concern.

On Video

2) The Dwarf ( pygmy) Seahorse:

The Dwarf, also called pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae) is the smallest known species, a slow swimmer that moves at a speed of 5 feet per hour. It grows an average of 2 and 2.5 cm with a maximum length of 5.0cm and it can be found in various colors such as white, beige, green, yellow, and black.

Photo Gallery

Habitat

The Dwarf seahorse inhabits seagrass beds of bay and estuaries of the Atlantic Ocean, from Bermuda and the Caribbean and throughout the Gulf of Mexico. It is common to the reefs near Sosua Beach, often photographed by tourists in the top Sosua diving sites.

Diet

Due to their short digestive tract, these species must eat constantly. They prey on copepods and other small crustaceans. They also eat brine shrimp and shrimp larvae. They are ambush predators, sitting by the current waiting for the prey to swim by, then use their snout to suck prey in.

Behavior & Reproduction

Their courtship ritual involves color changing, while they attach to each other using their tails. These species also mate for life, so they are monogamous by nature. Dwarf seahorse, as other species are ovoviviparous, and the female releases about 55 eggs into the male`s brood pouch where he will fertilize and carry them until hatching and giving birth 11 days or so later.

The newborns will measure about 8mm in size. This species can live up to 2 years in captivity. It is not a species in danger of extinction though its loss of habitat is diminishing its numbers, this due to human development.

On Video

3) The Slender (long snout) Seahorse:

The slender seahorse or longsnout seahorse (Hippocampus reidi) is known for its slender body that can grow up to about 7 inches in length. As other species, they can have a wide variety of colors, including red, saffron, buttercup, ochre or mustard yellow, often with darker spots.

Photo Gallery

Range & Habitat

Longsnout seahorses inhabit the North Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and Brazil. They are found in shallow waters from 0-180 feet, attached with their monkey-like tail to seagrasses, mangroves, gargonians and also among floating sargassum, oysters, sponges or man made structures such as piers. Females are considered to venture farther than males because the brood pouch the male uses to fertilize and carry the eggs decreases mobility. It is easy to find and photograph these slow swimmers in Sosua Beach or its main diving sites, just contact one of the Sosua diving centers.

Feeding Habits

This species feeds on almost the same as the other species, sucking plankton, small crustaceans and plants using his snout, preying as the food passes by. They feed during the day and rest at night.

Behavior & Reproduction

The longsnout seahorse reach sexual maturity at about 3 inches in size. They are also oviviparous, and have the same courtship ritual and breeding behavior as the other two Caribbean seahorses. They mate for life, and the male is the one to carry and fertilize the eggs deposited in his pouch by the female.

The color-changing, pouch inflating ritual is worth seeing, specially in captivity with good lighting. The eggs take about 15 days to hatch, then the miniature seahorses are born with a diameter of about 5.14 mm, really small. This species has a lifespan of 1-4 years.

On Video: Male giving birth

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Sources:

• National Geographic – Seahorses
• Seahorses in myth, legends and art
• Wikipedia – Lined Seahorses
• Smithsonian Institute – Hippocampus Erectus
• National Geographic – Seahorses Myth
• Thoughco – Long Snout Seahorse

The post Caribbean Sea Horses appeared first on Sosua Beach Dominican Republic.

Photo Gallery

Blue Chromis have an oval-shaped body, with a continuous dorsal fin and small mouth. It has a distinct, deeply forked tail. Their iridescent blue color contrasts with the black dorsal stripe and black margins of the dorsal fin. Males may exhibit one of five color morphs, including dark-grey blue and light blue shades. This is a preferred fish in aquariums, specially due to its beautiful colors.

Range & Habitat

Blue and Brown Chromis are found in the Caribbean Sea, Bermuda and Southern Florida. Normally found at depths of 3-5 meters, it can reach 25 meters below sea level and has been recorded at 60 meters. It is often found in lagoons and reef communities to feed on plankton.

Blue chromis range map

The younger ones stay near the bottom to avoid predation, and adult males keep a solitary breeding territory. They prefer water temperatures of 21 to 27°C, and require healthy coral to survive. Reefs provide them with a place for breeding, feeding and protection. They prefer yellow finger coral and smooth flower coral.

Feeding Habits

Chromis feed on plankton suspended in the water column. Copepods, tunicates, shrimp larvae, siphonophores, fish eggs, and ostracods. They remain stationary and let the current bring the food to them; by quickly extending the jaw, they create negative pressure that sucks prey into the buccal cavity.

Size & Reproduction

This species is promiscuous, so many females visit many nests to lay eggs and males mate with multiple females.  After breeding with multiple females, the males guard the eggs until the planktonic larvae hatch. Location and condition of the nest plays a role in the male reproductive success.

Threats

The greatest threat to Blue Chromis is the rapid expansion of the Lionfish in the Caribbean, also other tropical native fish. The loss of live corals do have a negative impact on the species, not to mention the heavy aquarium trade.

On Video

Sources:

• What`s That Fish -Brown Chromis
• Animal Diversity – Chromis Cyanea

The post Blue Chromis appeared first on Sosua Beach Dominican Republic.

Photo Gallery:

It is relatively easy to spot surgeonfish, but don`t confuse the Caribbean species with Hollywood-famous Pacific Tang ( Dory in finding Nemo ). The Atlantic Blue Tang are deep bodied and oval with caudal spine on each side, without the black margins as Dory. ( some Caribbean ones will show the yellow tail color too). Their mouth slightly protrudes, which helps feeding between rocks.

Habitat & Range:

The Atlantic Blue Tang is found in the Caribbean Sea, specially around the shallow reefs in the Dominican Republic. They are also found in the Bahamas, Florida, Belize, Bonaire, Brazil and the Gulf of Mexico. They are active during the day, usually swimming around reefs and hiding in crevices at night.

Map showing the range of the Atlantic Blue Tang

Juveniles stay in cover most of the time until reaching larger size. Clear shallow water and sunlight are important to this species because those conditions are needed for lots of algae growth on the coral and rocks.

Throughout its life, it moves through various color phases, Juveniles are bright yellow color, with blue bordered fins. Then it turns into a pastel blue with hints of yellow in the tail fin (2-3 inch in size). As it becomes an adult, it turns into a blue accented color with a white or yellow caudal spine ( now the fish is around 5 inches ).

Feeding Habits

Acanthurus coeruleus are herbivores, that feed primarily on benthic algae including the green, red, brown and blue-green algae; sometimes also on seagrass.  They are herbivores that feed primarily on benthic algae including brown algae, red algae, green algae, and blue-green algae, and occasionally on seagrass. They feed during the daylight hours and wedge themselves between crevices and caves at night to avoid predation.

Size & Breeding

This fish reaches a size of 25cm(9 inches) but can grow up to 39cm (15 inches). Their lifespan is about 30-45 years in the wild, less in captivity. They generally mate in large aggregations, of over a hundred individuals over sandy patches between reefs. They spawn on depths of 6-1o meters with strong currents to sweep the fertilized eggs to sea. Their eggs take 24 hrs to hatch, and the pelagic larvae are less than 2mm in length.

Wound Healing

Atlantic blue tangs are called doctors because they engage in cleaning behaviors, removing ectoparasites and damaged tissue form the surface of other fish. Fish improve health when these unwanted organism are removed from their skin.

On Video

Sources:

• Animal Planet – Atlantic Blue Tang
• Who Gives a Fish – Atlantic Blue Tang
• Wikipedia – Acanthurus Coeruleus
• Animal World – Atlantic Blue Tang

The post Atlantic Blue Tang appeared first on Sosua Beach Dominican Republic.

Photo Gallery

The French grunt is quite easy to identify, as their oblong shape, red mouth and distinctive stripes on the side of the body give it a uniqueness among Caribbean reef fish. The head is blunt, mouth small with thick lips. It has pelvic fins below the base of the pectoral fins.

Habitat & Range

Haemulon flavolineatum is native to the Western Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico, Bermuda and the area from South Carolina down to the Caribbean Sea and Brazil. It is distributed between subtropical coordinates 34°N – 34°S, 98°W – 34°W; Very common around the West Indies and Antilles, it is called Bocayate de Piedra by fishermen of the Dominican Republic.

French Grunt Range Map

It travels in  large schools at depths from 0-60 meters (0-197 ft) and lives among coral reefs, under ledges and close to elkhorn coral in warm waters of 25-27⁰C. Juveniles Grunts often stay within seagrass beds in bays and lagoons.

Feeding Habits

French Grunt mostly feeds at night on small benthic crustaceans, mollusks, macro-invertebrates, and polychaetes (a paraphyletic class of annelid worms) scavenging the seagrass beds close to coral reefs and mangrove areas at night. Juveniles often feed during the day on copepods, crab larvae, amphipods and shrimp.

Size & Growth

French Grunt grows a max of 30.0 cm (11.8 inches ), most commonly seen at lengths of 17 cm (6.7 inches). Juveniles have lighter colors, with distinct black or dark brown horizontal stripes, also a black spot at the base of the caudal fin.

Reproduction

This species is a pelagic spawner, and does it year round at night. A pair rise together so the female can release thousands of spherical eggs that later hatch into larvae 2 weeks later. When they finish the planktonic stage, juvenile move to feeding grounds in shallow reefs and seagrass beds.

On Video

Sources:

• SeaWorld – French Grunt
• Florida Museum – Haemulon Flavolineatum
• National Geographic – French Grunt

The post French Grunt appeared first on Sosua Beach Dominican Republic.

Photo Gallery

The Yellow tail snapper has a prominent yellow stripe on both sides, making it easy to identify. The back and upper sides are olive to bluish and have yellow spots. The fins are yellow and the undersides are red to yellow with longitudinal stripes.

Range and Habitat

Yellow tail snapper is native to the Caribbean Sea, the Western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico including also Brazil. It is one of the most abundant fish near the reefs in the Dominican Republic, including the North Coast and specially Sosua, which has a well known diving community.

Yellowtail Snapper range in the Caribbean

Size and Weight

Yellow tail snapper can reach lengths of 86cm (34 inch) but most are 40cm(16 inch). The largest ever reported was 4.1kg(9.0 lb). Fishermen favor this fish for sports fishing, it also has been farmed and used widely in aquariums as a display species.

Feeding & Breeding

Yellow tails eat worms, smaller fish, cephalopods, benthic organism, crabs, and shrimp. Adults are nocturnal predators. Sexual maturity is reached at lengths of 10-12 inches(25-30cm) and life expectancy is 6-14 years. They spawn in groups offshore and off the edges of reefs from spring to fall.

On Video

Sources:

• Smithsonian – Ocyurus Chrysurus
• Florida Museum – Yellow Tail Snapper
• Fla. Sportsman – Yellow Snapper

The post Yellow Tail Snapper appeared first on Sosua Beach Dominican Republic.

Photo Gallery

Description

Queen angelfish start very different as we see them as adults, and some people might not recognize them at all. Juveniles are dark blue with yellow lips, gills; also vertical bars ( light blue to white ). This is standard nature camouflage to blend the young with the reef background. Adults are blue to green, with yellow-rimmed scales; They sport yellow pectoral and ventral fins, with lips and fins edges in dark blue.

Range & Habitat

Holacanthus ciliaris is common to reefs in the Western Atlantic and the Caribbean; Florida ( specially the keys ), the Bahamas, Gulf of Mexico and other areas such as the Bermuda Triangle and Brazil. They can easily be seen off the North Coast of the Dominican Republic, as reported by diving centers from Sosua and Puerto Plata. They are known to change colors when sensing danger, and are considered shy, seen alone swimming near the tropical reefs from 1-70 meters depths.

French queen angel range in the Western Atlantic Ocean

Size and Weight

This species reach a size of up to 18 inches (45cm), and reach a weight of up to 3.5 pounds. Their average size is 20.3-35.6 cm (8-14 in) avg; 45.7 cm (18 in) max; They may live up to 15 years in the wild, and are considered moderately difficult to maintain in an aquarium.

Feeding Habits

Queen angelfish feeds on sponges, jellyfish,  hydroids, bryozoans, algae, plankton and tunicates. Early in life they act as cleaners for other larger fish. This is a preferred fish in many personal aquariums, where they are fed a diet of algae and meat based foods.

On Video

Reproduction

This fish is considered monogamous, as it has been observed to form a long term pair relationship. Queen angelfish reach sexual maturity at 22-24 cm in size. Fertilization is external, meaning they are a substratum egg scatterer.

They mate bringing their bellies together and releasing a cloud of sperm and thousands of eggs. The transparent eggs are pelagic, and float in the water column for 15-20 hours before hatching into larvae that feed on plankton. After about 30 days the juveniles settle on the bottom.

Sources:

• National Geographic -Queen angelfish
• Oceana – Queen Angelfish
• Wikipedia – Holacanthus Ciliaris

The post Queen Angel Fish appeared first on Sosua Beach Dominican Republic.

They are generally dark to black with their body scales edged in bright yellow, with yellow on their pectoral fins, also around their mouths and eyes. The juveniles are darker, and spot yellow bands that fade with age; also rounded fins that square and get pointed as they get older. French angelfish are monogamous, and stay with the same partner for life.

Photo Gallery

Size & Weight

French angelfish can reach a maximum length of 24 inches ( 61 cm ) but they are more common at lengths of 16 inches (40 cm). They can live up to 10 years and reach sexual maturity at lengths of 10 inches (25 cm).

Distribution & Habitat

The French angelfish is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean, all the way from the Bahamas, down to South Brazil. It is also found in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, including the Antilles (Cuba and the Dominican Republic). It was recently introduced to the waters around Bermuda.

It is usually found at depths less than 15 feet ( 4.5 m) in coral reefs that offer protection from nocturnal predators. It is a very territorial fish, also curious and does not fear divers and snorkelers. In Sosua, a good place to find them easily is the Zingara wreck,  at 150 ft depth.

French queen angel range

Feeding Habits

Pomacanthus paru primarily feed on sponges as well as tunicates, zoanthids, corals, gorgonians, and algae. Vase sponges often show v-shaped scars from past angelfish bites. Juveniles feed on algae and detritus along with ectoparasites they clean from other  fishes ( such as jacks, snappers, morays, grunts, surgeonfishes, and wrasses ).

On Video

Reproduction

Spawning of this species occur from April to September. During each spawning event, approximately 25,000-75,000 eggs are released. This activity is then repeated. The pelagic eggs are spherical and transparent with a diameter of 0.9mm. Eggs hatch approximately 15-20 hours after fertilization. The larvae live among plankton until they reach approximately 15mm where upon they settle onto the coral reef.

• Wetwebmedia – Pomacanthus
• Florida Museum – French Angel fish
• Oceana – French Angel fish

The post French Angelfish appeared first on Sosua Beach Dominican Republic.

Photo Gallery

Range

The sergeant major range is worldwide in warm waters, including the Caribbean. In the Atlantic Ocean, the fish can be found from Rhode Island in the USA all the way down to Uruguay. It is abundant in Caribbean Sea reefs as well as around islands in the mid-Atlantic region. In the eastern Atlantic Ocean, its range includes Cape Verde, along the tropical coast of Western Africa, South to Angola.

Range of Sergeant Major worldwide

Habitat

Sergeant major forms large feeding aggregations, of up to a few hundred individuals over shallow reef tops at depths of 3-50 feet ( 1-15 m ). When night approaches, the fish seek cover in crevices and caves within the reef. Juveniles are found in specific habitats, often schooling close to caves, shipwrecks, or other protective objects. They can also be found in floating sargassum communities.

Size & Weight

The maximum length of the sergeant major is approx. 9 inches ( 23 cm ) and the maximum weight is up to 0.45 pounds (0.2kg). Males reach maturity at lengths of 3.9 inches( 10cm ) and females at 3.1 inches (8 cm ).

On Video:

Food Habits

This species feeds on a variety of food items including small crustaceans, algae, invertebrate larvae, and fishes. Stomach content analysis showed benthic algae, pelagic algae, and plankton including copepods, shrimp larvae, fish, and pelagic tunicates.

Reproduction

The sergeant major spawning occurs on rocks, shipwrecks, reef outcroppings and pilings where the male prepares the nest. Courtship rituals includes males chasing the female during the morning hours. During spawning, approx. 200,000 eggs are released. The male takes on a bluish color while guarding the fertilized eggs. He guards them until they hatch, and it takes about 155 hours.

Sources:

• Lamar University – Sergeant-Major
• Fishbase – Sergeant Major fish
• Florida Museum – Abudefduf saxatilis

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