The Caribbean reef is a structured environment with many different fish species that live within specific layer of the reef. While it may be true that there are many different colors of fish that live in the reef, those colors and the shapes of their bodies has specific functions within there species. By being able to identify the different types of fish that live within the reef, you can understand there behavior.
Furthermore, being able to identify these fish species change the way that you observe the reef. The reef itself is not a flat environment, but rather a vertical environment. Along these vertical layers of the reef, different types of fish species lives.
How to Identify Fish on the Caribbean Reef
For instance, sun-loving fish species live in areas of the reef that are shallower in depth, while other fish species live in the dark areas of deeper parts of the reef. Such distributions of the fish species are due to the alteration in the amount of light that exists at each depth. For instance, the fish that live in the shallow areas of the reef have colors that blend with both the bright sand of the reefs and the sun dappled coral that covers the reef.
Each depth features different types of fish species that have adapted to the light levels of there specific depth within the reef. One way to be able to identify the fish species on the reef is to look at their silhouette. The silhouettes of the fish allow an observer to narrow the type of fish species to the one being observed.
For instance, fish species that appear torpedo-shaped often are the type of fast moving predators, such as Barracuda. In contrast, silhouettes in the shape of an oval and compressed to the center of the species is often the type of non-predator fish species, like Angelfish. Furthermore, recognizing the silhouette of the fish species allow for the observer to focus on the color patterns of the identified fish species.
Many fish species has vertical bars on their bodies that act as a form of camouflage within the reef. Certain fish species have important roles within the Caribbean reef ecosystems. For instance, the Rainbow Parrotfish is a fish species that eat the coral with its teeth.
The Rainbow Parrotfish creates sand that is often found on the beaches of the Caribbean islands. Thus, the biology of this fish is relate to the geography of the region. Some fish species on the Caribbean reef are invasive or are dangerous to humans, so it is important to maintain a respectful distance from these species.
For instance, the Lionfish is an invasive species to the Caribbean. The Lionfish do not have any natural predators in the Caribbean, so it prey upon the local fish species in the area. The Lionfish also features venomous spine.
Another example is the Green Moray Eel. It may appear to be attacking at the observer with its wide mouth, but the Green Moray is actualy breathe. The breathing allow the observer to think that the Green Moray is attacking, which can lead the Green Moray to defend its self.
It is also important to know that not all reef fish are appropriate to keep in saltwater aquariums. For instance, fish like the Neon Goby is appropriate to keep in saltwater aquariums because the Neon Goby is a hardy fish. However, fish like the Foureye Butterflyfish are not appropriate to keep in saltwater aquariums in captivity because the Foureye Butterflyfish only eats specific type of coral polyps.
Furthermore, it is not recommended to purchase reef fish species with only the appearance of the fish in mind. By not considering the diet requirements of the reef fish species, the fish may become stressed due to the inability to satisfy it dietary needs. By learning to pay attention to the details of the reef, such as the fact that the trumpetfish live in vertical positions to mimic the movement of a sea rod, an observer can learn more about the specific role of each type of reef fish and the relationship between each species.
Thus, by learning of these specific features and characteristics of each reef species, an observer can gain a more thorough understanding of the reef as a whole.
