Ophiura sp. Brittle Star |
Brittle Stars
Brittle stars live everywhere on the coral reef. They prefer dark shadows, and will live in practically any hole, especially in vase sponges. |
Cyphoma gibbosum Flamingo Tongue Snail |
Snails
The Flamingo Tongue gets as big as 1 inch long. The shell is smooth, glossy pink or orange. They usually reside on sea fans. Most snails eat sea grass, but the Flamingo Tongue is one of the few predators of corals. |
Nemaster rubiginosa Orange Sea Lily |
Sea Lilies
The Orange Sea Lily is the most common sea lily on many Caribbean reefs.
It is bright orange and usually curled on the tips. Lilies feed on plankton
that float into their mucous-covered feathery feet. Cilia convey the food
to the mouth.
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Periclimenes pedersoni Pederson's Cleaning Shrimp |
Shrimp
Pederson's Cleaning Shrimp gets only as big as 1 inch long. It is transparent with purplish overtones. They like to hang out in Ringed and Giant Caribbean Anemones. |
| coral ~ fishes ~ swimming critters ~ floor critters |