Blue Tang Surgeon Fish

W. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean

Coral reefs, seagrass beds

Least Concern

Up to 15 years

Up to 15 inches

Algae

Blue tangs are one of the 80 different species of surgeon fish. They are called surgeon fish due to the sharp spines on either side of their tail. Blue tangs are most active during the day, and are usually solitary, but can occasionally be seen in schools of up to 12 fish. During reproduction, the eggs laid by the surgeon fish will hatch about 24 hours after being laid, and it will take about a year for the juvenile fish to reach maturity. Blue Tang surgeon fish are important in their ecosystems because they constantly graze on algae, which keeps it from overgrowing and covering coral. They will even form cleaning stations where they will eat algae off of sea turtles.

Piranha

South America

Warm, freshwater

Status Unknown

Up to 8 years

Up to 3 lbs, 15 inches

 

Aquatic invertebrates, fish, land-based vertebrates

Despite being shown as a dangerous and unpredictable predator, the piranha does not hunt in large groups and usually eats fish, insects, and aquatic invertebrates. The sharp triangular teeth and powerful jaw make the piranha able to bite and attack with great force. Schools of piranhas have been known to gather at a large prey item and strip it to the bare bones within a few minutes. These are not usually random attacks and happen due to the fish being provoked or starvation. Breeding typically occurs during the rainy season and females will lay nearly 5000 eggs in nests built by the male.

Lined Seahorse

Atlantic coastline

Coral reefs, seagrass beds

Vulnerable

Up to 5 years

Up to 5 inches

Small crustaceans

The seahorse is one of the most unique looking fish found in the ocean. It has a prehensile tail used to hold on to sea grass and coral. Seahorses have a voracious appetite and will eat for up to 10 hours a day; consuming more than 3,000 crustaceans during that time. Seahorses are monogamous, and will usually have one mate during their lifetime. During a mating dance the female will pass eggs to the male. He will then hold the fertilized eggs in his pouch until they emerge about 20 days later as miniature versions of an adult. Juvenile seahorses will reach maturity in 8-10 months. Seahorses are at risk due to overfishing and habitat degradation. 

We participate in the Species Survival Plan.

Lionfish

Western Pacific

Reefs

Status Unknown

Up to 10 years

Up to 2.5 lbs, 15 in

Aquatic invertebrates and fish

The venomous lionfish uses its 18 needle-like dorsal fins to defend itself. Its sting can be very painful to humans. Lionfish will live in small groups as juveniles and while mating, however they are solitary as adults. They are nocturnal and get most of their food within the first hour of the night. When the sun comes up in the morning they will retreat to their homes in reef crevices.

Due to their beauty lionfish are popular in the aquarium market. Lionfish were introduced into the Atlantic Ocean where they spread rapidly and are now an invasive species that are a major threat to biodiversity.

Red-Tail Triggerfish

Western Atlantic

Reefs

Status Unknown

Unknown

Up to 10 inches

Crabs, sea urchin, plankton

The red tail triggerfish lives alone or in small groups. They are one of almost 40 different species of trigger fish. They frequently live in patches of plants called sargassum and will move to deeper waters as they get older. In some areas of the ocean they are the most common fish.

White-Blotched River Stingray

Xingu River (Brazil)

Rocky river bottoms

Near Threatened

Up to 15 years

Up to 18 inches

Shrimp, small crustaceans

The white-blotched river stingray is only found in the Xingu River basin in South America. The distinctive blotched pattern on this species helps camouflage it in the sun-dappled streams where it lives. Since the white-blotched river stingray has a relatively small distribution range, habitat loss and degradation have left the population near threatened. Further research, management, legislation, and conservation measures are needed to protect the white-blotched river stingray.

We participate in the Species Survival Plan.