Mangrove Tank Tomtate (Haemulon aurolineatum) Family: Haemulidae – Grunts Tomtates are found in most areas of the Western Atlantic Ocean. They are often seen in large mixed schools of grunts and inhabit most environments from mangroves to nearshore reefs. Spanish Grunt (Haemulon macrostomum) Family: Haemulidae – Grunts Common throughout reefs in Florida and the Caribbean, they generally prefer secluded areas under large rocks. They hunt for food at night in schools. Red Drum (Adult) (Sciaenops ocellatus) Family: Sciaenidae - Drums Red drum are often fished for sport in Florida. They are found in seagrass beds, mangroves, on or near oyster beds, in estuaries and in spring fed creeks. They are named for the drumming sound that they create during spawning season by rubbing special muscles against their air bladder. Checkered Puffer (Sphoeroides testudineus) Family: Tetraodontidae – Puffers Checkered Puffers are commonly found in estuaries throughout the U.S. east coast. They hide in the sand when they are stressed out and inflate themselves when threatened by predators. They can also be highly toxic if eaten. Seagrass Tank Sergeant Major (Abudefduf saxatilis) Family: Pomacentridae - Damselfishes Sergeant majors are found in tropical waters of the Atlantic on coral reefs, mangrove forests and rocky outcroppings. They were named for the vertical stripes which resemble the traditional insignia of the military rank. Sergeant majors are known for their territorial nature, especially when it comes to guarding their eggs. Pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides) Family: Sparidae - Porgies Pinfish are commonly found in South Florida near seagrass beds, mangroves, piers, bridges and natural reefs. They are easily distinguished by the black spot behind their gill cover and are commonly used as bait. Longspined Porcupinefish (Diodon holocanthus) Family: Diodontidae – Porcupinefishes The Porcupine Pufferfish (also called the Balloonfish) is found in lagoons and shallow reefs in tropical areas throughout the world. They primarily feed on crustaceans and mollusks. Their ability to inflate themselves with water or air serves as a defense mechanism, making them appear larger to potential predators. Frillfin Goby (Bathygobius soporator) Family: Gobiidae - Gobies The Frillfin Goby is abundant in rocky, tidal areas and sheltered seagrass beds throughout the southeast coast. They primarily feed on crustaceans. They can also tolerate a wide range of salinities and can even be found in freshwater canals. Red Drum (Juvenile) (Sciaenops ocellatus) Family: Sciaenidae - Drums Red drum are often fished for sport in Florida. They are found in sea grass beds, mangroves, on or near oyster beds, in estuaries and in spring fed creeks. They are named for the drumming sound that they create during spawning season by rubbing special muscles against their air bladder. Slate Pencil Urchin (Eucidaris tribuloides) Family: Cidaridae The Slate Pencil Urchin is found in near shore regions of the Atlantic Ocean, on rocky bottoms, mangrove forests and coral reefs. It is nocturnal and feeds primarily on corals and sponges. Three Rowed Sea Cucumber (Isostichopus badionotus) Family: Stichopodidae Occurring occasionally throughout the Caribbean, they inhabit shallow reefs and seagrass beds. They can grow up to two feet in length. Nearshore Tank White Grunt (Haemulon plumierii) Family: Haemulidae – Grunts White Grunts are found along the east coast of the United States. They are closely related to the Blue Striped Grunt, however, their blue stripes are only on their head and do not extend across their body. Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans) Family: Scorpaenidae - Scorpionfishes Lionfish are native to the Indo-Pacific but have made their way to Florida waters, most likely through the release of fish intended for the aquarium trade. They are considered invasive in Florida due to their high rate of reproduction and tendency to consume and outcompete many native species. They have venomous spines on their dorsal, pelvic and anal fins which are used for defense. Bluestriped Grtunt (Haemulon sciurus) Family: Haemulidae – Grunts Bluestriped grunts are commonly found along the east coast of the United States. They form small schools over coral and rocky reefs. They feed on mollusks and crustaceans. The blue stripes on this grunt extend across its entire body when compared to the White Grunt, which has blue stripes on its head. Dusky Damselfish (Stegastes adustus) Family: Pomacentridae – Damselfishes The Dusky Damselfish is found throughout the western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. The adults feed on crustaceans, algae and detritus. They turn from a bright orange and blue color in their juvenile phase into a dark brown/black in their adult phase. Long-spined Sea Urchin (Diadema antillarum) Family: Diadematidae The Long-spined Sea Urchin is found on reefs of the Western Atlantic and Caribbean. It is an herbivore, feeding mostly on algae or sometimes seaweed. Because it is sensitive to light, it primarily lives in the crevices of rocks. Thinstripe Hermit Crab (Clibanarius vittatus) Family: Diogenidae The Thinstripe Hermit Crab is found in shallow parts of the Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic Ocean. They are abundant in the Indian River Lagoon in Florida. They are easily identified by the white stripes on their legs. Florida Reef Tank Jewel Damselfish (Microspathodon chrysurus) Family: Pomacentridae – Damselfishes The Jewel Damsel (also called the Yellowtail Damsel) inhabits reefs throughout Florida, hiding within fire coral. Named for their bright blue spots scattered on their body, they eventually lose them in adulthood. Blackbar Soldierfish (Myripristis jacobus) Family: Holocentridae – Squirrelfishes The Blackbar Soldierfish is usually found in schools throughout Caribbean reefs. They are primarily nocturnal, hiding under rocks during the day. Their large eyes help them hunt and navigate at night. Bluehead Wrasse (Thalassoma bifasciatum) Family: Labridae – Wrasses and Hogfishes Bluehead Wrasse are found throughout the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. They are often found in shallow reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds. The Bluehead Wrasse form large schools composed of primarily females. In the absence of a dominant male, the largest female will change sex to ensure the mating success of the school. Beaugregory (Juvenile) (Stegastes leucostictus) Family: Pomacentridae – Damselfishes The Beaugregory is a very common fish found in shallow reefs throughout Florida. Their bright colors fade to a dusky gray as they grow into adults. Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliarus) Family: Pomacanthidae – Angelfishes This angelfish is commonly found among reefs in the Western Atlantic Ocean. They feed primarily on sponges. The juveniles are known as cleaners as they eat parasites off other fish. Green Striped Mushroom (Discosoma nummiforme) Family: Discosomidae A very popular coral in the aquarium trade. Although they have photosynthetic bacteria living in its tissue that provide it with nutrients, they benefit from eating small zooplankton in the water column. Blue Leg Hermit Crab (Clibanarius tricolor) Family: Diogenidae This species of hermit crab lives in the shallow waters of the Caribbean Sea. They are detritivores, eating dead plants and animals throughout the reef. Tropical Tank Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens) Family: Acanthuridae – Surgeonfishes Found in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii, the Yellow Tang is one of the most harvested fish for the aquarium trade. They feed primarily on algae and can provide a cleaning service for sea turtles, eating the algal growth off their carapace. Blue Hippo Tang/Palette Surgeonfish (Paracanthurus hepatus) Family: Acanthuridae – Surgeonfishes The Blue Hippo Tang is found on reefs in the Indo-Pacific, preferring areas with sufficient rock cover as they often choose to hide amongst them. They are herbivorous and peaceful toward other species of fish. Green Chromis (Chromis viridis) Family: Pomacentridae - Damselfishes Green Chromis are found on inshore and lagoon reefs of the Indo-Pacific. They are a schooling fish which are not aggressive towards other fish. They vary in color from pale green to light blue, except the mature male, which will be yellow during mating season. Percula Clown Fish (Pair) (Amphiprion percula) Family: Pomacentridae – Damselfishes Percula clown fish are found in the Indo-West Pacific in calm waters of lagoons, bays, and coral reefs. There are two color variations found in the wild, the “normal” orange and white and the melanistic variety which is black and white. Yellowtail Blue Damsel (Chrysiptera parasema) Family: Pomacentridae - Damselfishes This Damselfish is native to the Indo-Pacific. They primarily live among corals in shallow reefs and lagoons. They are also a very popular fish in the aquarium trade due to their hardiness. Green Hairy Mushroom (Rhodactis indosinensis) Family: Discosomidae The Green Hairy Mushroom is found in the Central Indo-Pacific Ocean. They have a small stalk and a large oral disk that they can manipulate to change the way water flows over it, forcing food into their mouth for absorption. Rose Bubble-tip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) Family: Actiniidae The Rose anemone is found in the Mediterranean and Canary Islands, Bali, Indo-Pacific, Indonesia, Kenya, Philippines and the Red Sea. They attach themselves to hard substrates in shallow waters of the intertidal and rocky coast. Watermelon Mushroom (Actinodiscus sp.) Family: Discosomidae Watermelon mushrooms are found on shallow coral reefs of Indonesia. They are carnivorous and catch their prey by folding over themselves. They have stinging tentacles that can extend through their cap when needed for defense. Nassarius snail (Nassarius sp.) Family: Nassariidae These snails are found worldwide throughout sand and mud flats. They are scavengers, feeding on food left behind or dead organisms. They often burrow in substrate, with only their siphon protruding, until they smell food nearby. Scarlet Hermit Crab (Paguristes cadenati) Family: Diogenidae This crab is commonly found in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. They mainly eat detritus and are very beneficial cleaners in a saltwater aquarium. .