The sponges and corals of the Mesoamerican reef are very healthy. They support a plentiful and diverse fish and critter population. The January fish is a juvenile Longfin Damselfish (Stegastes diencaeus).
My favorite dive buddy (and my wife) has the brightest video lights (Gates GT14) in the ocean. Easy to spot her as we navigate the Black Coral Wall on Turneffe Atoll.
Arrow Blenny (Lucayablennius zingaro) is a tiny, free-swimming Blenny. Its tightly curved tail makes it easy to identify.
Coral polyps feeding in the warm water off Caye Caulker. Pulsing and swaying in the current makes them great for video.
The Magnificent Frigate Bird (Fregata magnificens) is a true marine wanderer. They effortlessly soar on the updrafts and winds across all oceans. Watching them is thrilling and provides a sense of wonder when you realize their oldest fossils date back to the Eocene, about 50 million years ago.
The French Angelfish (Pomacanthus paru) is common throughout the warm waters of the world. Often in pairs, they are inquisitive and friendly.
The Common Lionfish (also known as the Red Lionfish) (Pterois volitans) is now well-established across the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. It is a vicious predator and is invasive, probably derived from escapees of hobby aquarists. Groupers and sharks are known to hunt the lionfish, and it is now served in restaurants throughout the area.
The Purple-Crowned Sea Goddess (Mexichromis kempfi) nudibranch is quite common on the reefs. They seem to always be in pairs, with one behind the other. Reproductive behavior?
The Golden Rough-headed Blenny (Acanthemblemaria aspera) lives in holes in the reef. It pokes its head out into the current and darts out to grab food floating by. While small, it is easy to spot by swimming very slow and looking for sudden movement on the reef. This is its golden phase.
This is the more common example of the Rough-Headed Blenny (Acanthemblemaria aspera), in its dark color. Different color, but the same behavior.
The Sand Canyon Goby (Coryphopterus venezuelae) is one of the very common small fish inhabiting the sandy stretches of the reef. It lives in holes and comes out to search for food, doing a dance while it waits.
The Cocoa Damselfish (Cocoa Damselfish) is another member of the large family of small fish living on the reef. It is shy and tends to duck into a crevice when a camera is pointed at it.
Toby (Pufferfish family)
Pederson’s Cleaner Shrimp
Nurse shark