Sharks & Rays | Reptiles & Crustaceans | Reef Fish | Invertebrates | Eels
Tobago Marine Life
REEF FISH
BONEY FISHES (Osteichthyes)
This class of fishes is characterized by a boney skeleton, unlike the cartilage of sharks and rays. The Osteichthyes are divided in to two main subclasses, one of which Actinotergii or ’ray fin fish’ is further divided into three superorders. Holostei are found only in fossil forms, Chondrostei are also an ancient group of which sturgeon are one of the few living examples and Teleostei. This last grouping covers 98% of the worlds living fishes.
Longlure Frog fish (Antennarius multiocellatus)
Extremely hard to find the longlure frogfish will sit motionless for hours using its fake bait to lure prey. They are not easy to spot but I have seen them on Arnos Vale, Mt Irvine Wall and Favourite. If you take your time and focus around sponges this is where you will find them.
Longsnout Seahorse (Hippocampus reidi)
Seahorses are on everyone’s list and yes they are found on Tobago’s reefs. Most often you will find them hooked onto the base of sea rods or plumes close to a rocky or sandy bed. Common places to find them are Mt Irvine Wall as seen above and Kariwak Reef. The largest I’ve seen here was about 14cm on Cove Reef and the smallest 2cm hooked onto the end of a plume on Kelleston Drain. If you want to see these ‘take your time’.
Queen Trigger Fish (Balistes vetula)
One of my favourites these fish are beautifully coloured and wonderful to watch. Common on south Atlantic and Speyside dives but rarely seen on the Caribbean. They tend to ignore divers unless you approach to rapidly so slowly ease closer to the fish or wait for it to come to you.
Spotted Scorpion Fish (Scorparna plumeiri)
Several species of scorpionfish inhabit Tobago waters but the spotted scorpionfish is by far the most common. Occasionally seen in Speyside, they tend to be more frequent on Caribbean and south Atlantic dives. Will sit motionless but if disturbed they extend thieir dorsal fins which have venomous spines and their pectoral fins flare out to reveal brilliant white spots.
Creole Wrasse (Clepticus parrae)
A very common feature of our reefs, especially Speyside, are the shoals of creole wrasse. Blue to lavender in colour older fish will develop a yellow & purple caudal fin. They have a wonderful way of swimming using their pectoral fins in short bursts. Occasionally you may find individuals that have lost their shoal and attatched themselves to shoals of similar fish such as boga or blue chromis.
Spotted Drum (Equetus punctatus)
Very shy fish whish tends to seek refuge in holes and under overhanging corals and rocks. The juvenile, as seen above on Catherdral, is spectacularly beautiful and a real treasure to find as their long extended first dorsal fin is several times the length of their tiny bodies.
Peacock Flounder (Bothus lunatus)
Found island wide this is a bottom dweller which will lay still on coral heads or in the sand unless disturbed. It can brighten or darken its colouring to match the surface upon which it lies. Common to find them on Kariwak during night dives when your torch will light up their true colours and reveal the blue and purple irridecent markings.
Secretary Blenny (Acanthemblemaria maria)
Very shy as are most blennies, the secretary lives in holes it makes among mostly boulder and star corals. Found island wide, it’s head can be seen ‘peeping’ out but will retract immediately anything comes close, only to reappear seconds later.
Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus)
Tarpon are a large fish which as found in shoals of between 5 and 50 individuals. Most common on the outer reefs of Speyside, this one was seen on Bookends. Fortunately for the tarpon does not taste good hence its still found in large numbers, unusual for such a big fish and somehow it has learnt not to eat the bait used for Tuna and Kingfish.
Smooth Trunkfish (Lactophrys triqueter)
Commonly called box fish these trunkfish are found island wide. Quite shy they can be approached carefully, the juveniles (pictured right lifesize) are literally no bigger than a pea. They stay close to the coral heads or columns in which they hatch and do not venture far until larger in size.
Sharks & Rays | Reptiles & Crustaceans | Reef Fish | Invertebrates | Eels
