Unusual Fishes

Trunkfishes are members of the boxfish family. They get their name from their modified scales, which form a bony armor of plates that enclose their body. They can easily be identified by their triangular shape. The smooth trunkfish grows to about 12 inches in length, and is commonly found in the waters of the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Lionfishes are among the most beautiful fish species on the reef. But as is often the case in nature, this beauty is actually a warning of danger. The sharp spines of the lionfish are coated with a poisonous mucous and are capable of delivering a painful sting. The venom of some of the larger species is strong enough to kill a man.

This highly usual member of the wrasse family has a foreboding appearance, but is actually quite harmless. The strange horns and spines are nothing more than an elaborate bluff. This is an adult with its brown and white markings. The juveniles of this species are actually bright green in color. The colors fade to brown as they mature.

Sounding more like a circus act, the flying gurnards are easily recognized by their large, wing-like pectoral fins. Contrary to their name, they do not actually fly. Their large fins help them to swim low over the sand as they search for food. Flying gurnards are found in the shallow water reefs along the eastern coast of North America, from Massachusetts to the Caribbean.

The moray eel is one of the largest eel species. They are efficient predators feeding mainly on fish. Moray eels have razor sharp teeth and are capable of inflicting a painful bite. Larger species can remove the fingers of careless divers. In spite of this fact, these eels are usually timid in the wild. Some can even be hand fed by careful divers.