Some of the best scuba diving takes place in the countries of Belize, Honduras and Mexico. Here are just a few photos of the underwater sea life I encountered on several dives.
The Wrasse is a fish with over 600 species. It is a brightly colored fish that is a popular choice for saltwater aquariums as they help to keep the tank clean.
A spotted moray eel snatching up a fish for lunch. They are usually hiding in reef crevices, but once in awhile can be found near the bottom of the ocean feeding on fish or crustaceans.
Up close, the Squirrelfish have big dark eyes, which helps them to see at night. These fish are more prevalent during night dives, but can also be seen during the day hanging around in dark areas.
The lobster is one of many crustaceans found in the Caribbean. They have a hard exoskeleton which provides protection from predators. They can live up to 70 years of age.
It is not uncommon to find large Angelfish on reef dives in the Caribbean. They can be found in various colors with a wide arrange of names, i.e., Gray Angelfish or Queen Angelfish.
Some new divers and snorkelers may become frightened when coming in contact with the barracuda. They are an intimidating fish with sharp teeth, but they are not considered a threat. Some divers agree that these fish are attracted to shiny objects and suggest water lovers to not wear bright, metallic jewelry.
The Blue Tang is a popular Caribbean fish and was made popular by the movie “Finding Nemo.” Depending on where they are swimming, they can camouflage themselves by changing various shades of blue. Here one can see the yellow spike towards the back of its body where the tail meets the body.
French Grunts and Blue-Striped Grunts are very common in the Caribbean and Florida. They swim in large numbers and are usually spotted on shallow reef dives. Pictured here are the Blue-Striped Grunts.
The Yellowtail Snapper can easily be confused with the Goatfish, but there are a couple of differences. The Yellow Goatfish have barbels, also described as whiskers, that can be found under their chins. The Yellowtail Snapper may be found within schools of Yellow Goatfish and vice versa.
Herring fish travel in schools and are a popular meal for the larger fish as well as seabirds.
The Tiger Grouper is a beautiful fish that lives in sheltered reef areas. They usually hang out in shallow waters and can grow up to 35 inches, weighing around 10 pounds.
There are over 200 species of Moray Eel found in both saltwater and freshwater environments. They look like a sea snake but do not belong to the reptile family. They prefer warm temperatures and like to eat meat, such as other fish and crustaceans.
Whether you plan to scuba dive or snorkel the waters of the Caribbean, you may come into contact with one or more of these animals. There are so many beautiful creatures of the sea where you can feel as though you are in a world all its own.
Do you like to snorkel and/or scuba dive? What is one of your favorite experiences under water? I would love to hear your story in the comments below! Many thanks for checking out some of the fish you will find in Central America and wishing you many Happy Travels!
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