Spotted trunkfish (Lactophrys bicaudalis) are one of only three recognized members of the Lactophrys genesis. The others are the buffalo trunkfish (Lactophrys trigonus) and the smooth trunkfish (Lactophrys triqueter). All are native to the western Atlantic Ocean and are referred to as cowfish, or simply boxfish, depending on where they are encountered. The spotted trunkfish is yellow, white or a combination of both with dark spots. Its snout and fins protrude from a triangular, trunk-like body, armored with heavy hexagonal scales. This armor and the colorless toxin secreted from its glands gre ..read more

As its name suggests, the giant hawkfish is the largest member of the hawkfish family, growing up to 60 cm/24 inches in length. They are seen regularly by divers around the Gulf of California where they are called “China Marino,” but have been identified as far south as the Galapagos Islands. These fish are typically unfazed by diver activity and are known for their ability to prop themselves on their pectoral fins and even brace themselves against crashing waves in shallow rocky waters. They feed mainly on small fish and crustaceans and are currently categorized as “Least Concern” on the IUCN ..read more

These fish are commonly found along the western Atlantic, particularly in warmer waters around the Bahamas, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Adults measure up to 60cm (23 inches) and can weigh as much as 2kg (4.5 lbs), making them the largest known species of marine angelfish. Though they feed mainly on sponges, their diet includes tunicates, algae, gorgonians, and seagrass. Juveniles also fatten up by cleaning parasites off other species. These fish are sometimes curious about divers, and may even follow along on a dive. We photographed this gray angelfish during a dive in Placencia, Belize ..read more

Pikachu nudibranch (Thecacera pacifica) - This colorful marine mollusk is named for the adorable character, Pikachu, from the Pokémon franchise. At just 2cm, the Pikachu nudibranch is not easy to spot. Sightings are rare but have occurred around Indonesia, the Indian ocean and in the Atlantic around the Gulf of Mexico. We photographed this Pikachu nudibranch while diving off the coast of Sekotong in Lombok, Indonesia ..read more

These lovely spotted fish are easily identified by their bright yellow tails and the dark vertical stripes across their eyes and gills. The three sharp protruding spines on either side of their tails are easily seen and serve as their main defense against predators. They are very common from the Gulf of Mexico to El Salvador. We photographed these Yellowtail Surgeonfish during a dive in Huatulco, Mexico. Read more in our article Scuba Diving Huatulco, Mexico ..read more

The orange-yellow color and dark spots that make these snails easy to see comes from their retractable mantles when wrapped around their shells. These small sea snails make their home in the western Atlantic Ocean preying on soft corals like sea fans and whip corals. They live nearly their entire existence attached to these corals and are able to ingest the coral's chemical defenses and absorb them into their bodies for their own protection. Females attach their eggs to their coral prey and the larvae hatch in just 10 days. After a short planktonic stage, they attach themselves to a soft coral ..read more

The Bullseye Round Stingray (Urobatis concentricus) is named for the circular shape of its flat spotted body and belongs to the round family of stingrays. This ray grows to a length of 19 inches and a width of 11 inches. Its tail is much shorter than most stingrays, but it does have a venomous spine near the middle of it. Like all stingrays, the bullseye round is non-aggressive toward humans and only raises its tail in defense when it feels threatened. There are some who believe this stingray is not a full species, but simply a color morph of the round stingray (Urobatis helleri). However, t ..read more

The Thornback Cowfish (Lactioria fornasini) is a slow-moving fish due to the hexagon shaped plate scales that cover it to create a box-like armour. As a relative of the pufferfish, the thornback cowfish produces similar toxins. Generating a powerful neurotoxin called ostracitoxin through their symbiotic relationship with bacteria. The ostracitoxin is carried in the organs and skin and can even be released into the water. It is found in the tropical Indo-Pacific, Japan, and Hawaii where it feeds on invertebrates it hunts by blowing streams of water along the sand to expose its prey. This fish ..read more

The Longhorn Cowfish (Lactoria cornuta) is named for its horns which give it a cow-like appearance. Should these horns be damaged, they will grow back within a few months, and it could be that the reason this cowfish evolved to have horns, is to make it more difficult for predators to swallow. However, like most boxfish, its main defense is to excrete of a toxin. This fish is typically solitary and can be quite territorial. It can grow to up to 20 inches and is found in the Red Sea and Indo-Pacific. It feeds on small crustaceans and fishes, sponges, mollusks, and bristle worms. It often hunts ..read more

Most hermit Crabs live their lives inside seashells and other salvaged objects that serve as armor to protect their soft spiral shaped abdomens from predators. There are two types of hermit crabs, marine and terrestrial. All marine hermit crabs live in the ocean, except for a single species, Clibanarius fonticola, that lives in fresh water. Terrestrial crabs prefer land in tropical areas near water. Both breath through gills, and must keep them damp or wet in order to avoid suffocating. All hermit crabs are scavengers, feeding on plants, fallen fruit, turtle eggs, dead fish, plankton and jus ..read more