Hobbies And Interests
Black Grouper
Also known as Mycteroperca bonaci, marbled rockfish and junefish, this species can grow up to nearly 4½ feet long. It has a light tan to gray or brown background marked with irregular rectangular spots and blotches in bronze. Black groupers are a relatively widespread species, ranging from New England south to Brazil. These predatory fish consume other fish as adults, and crustaceans as juveniles. According to the Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, they play an important role in balancing reef systems.
Mussismilia Braziliensis
Mussismilia braziliensis may not look much like an animal, but like other corals, it's technically part of the animal kingdom. This reef-building coral is only found in the Abrolhos Bank reefs off the shores of eastern Brazil. It has no common name, and grows into a blue-gray, yellow- or green-domed shape. Mussismilia braziliensis reproduces once a year, and is considered at risk of extinction. While scientists have little information about its actual numbers, it occurs only in a very narrow range and is threatened by overfishing, fish farming, oil extraction, pollution, coral disease and increasing acidification of the ocean waters.
Dog Snapper
Lutjanus jocu is one of several types of fish referred to as the dog snapper. This fish lives along the shores of southern North America, the Caribbean, West Africa and northern South America. Dog snappers normally grow up to 2 feet long, with some unusual individuals reaching 3 or 4 feet. Adult dog snappers prefer rocky and coral reefs, while young fish may be found in estuaries and even rivers. These fish eat other fish, crabs, shrimp, cephalopods and gastropods such as snails.
Caribbean Reef Squid
Despite its name, this squid (Sepioteuthis sepioidea) can be found outside the Caribbean. It's often observed in shallow water close to shore and are often mistaken for cuttlefish. Caribbean reef squid change color when pursued by predators, so they can blend in with the ocean floor or reef coral. These squid live throughout the Caribbean and south to coral reefs off the coast of northeastern Brazil.
Noronha Wrasse
Also called Thalassoma noronhanum, this small, brightly colored fish lives along the cost of central South America, almost entirely in Brazilian coral reefs. Noronha wrasse grow to be about 5 inches long and live at depths between 2 and 5 meters. Some specimens have been found nearly at the surface, or as deep as 60 meters. They consume mostly plankton, but may follow after turtles to scavenge bits of food or clean parrotfish, damselfish and other larger fish. Noronha wrasse are rapid breeders, doubling their population every 15 months.
Rocas Gregory
The rocas gregory, or Stegastes rocasensis, is a tiny cobalt blue and bright gold fish limited to reefs off the Brazilian coast. This fish can grow to be slightly over 3 inches in length, and lives at depths between 2 and 10 meters. Rocas gregories breed rapidly, so despite their very limited range, they are considered to have a low vulnerability to extinction.