Coral Reefs in the Caribbean
Coral reefs are some of the richest ecosystems in the world. They provide shelter for all of marine life in its habitat and offer rich habitat choices. Coral reefs may have been associated with island that have submerged into the ocean. Unfortunately, coral reefs are threatened by hurricanes in the summer and fall, human activity, global warming, pollution and over fishing.
Marine Life
The development of coral reefs are supported by algae which contributes to the growth of the reef. Living in the coral reefs are thousands of species of fish, snails and coral, making it the richest marine habitat by far. For all of the species of fish that live in the Caribbean reefs visit http://reefguide.org/carib/cat.html . Among fish are sea stars, snakes, jellyfish, turtles and crustaceans.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Green-Sea-Turtle-swimming-over-Coral-Reef-615x345.jpg
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Green-Sea-Turtle-swimming-over-Coral-Reef-615x345.jpg
Flamefish
The Flamefish is able to withstand disease, and is nocturnal. They travel in schools and live in the Caribbean and Costa Rica. They eat other smaller fish and crustaceans. They grow to 4.5 inches .
http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/images/products/Fish/large/000556_Apogon_maculatus.jpg
http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/images/products/Fish/large/000556_Apogon_maculatus.jpg
Balloonfish
Lives in shallow reefs to open soft bottoms down to up to 15 m. They mainly use their pectorals and dorsal fin to swim, causing them to be slow swimmers. They can grow to about 6 - 9 cm. They feed on mollusks, sea urchins, hermit crabs and crabs.
http://www.sportdiver.com/files/_images/201301/d_little_dietrich_balloon-fish.jpg
http://www.sportdiver.com/files/_images/201301/d_little_dietrich_balloon-fish.jpg
Green Bubble Weed
The Green Bubble Weed grows 1 to 8 inches, and they grow in 3-100 feet of water. They are classified as green algae that grows on and in the coral reefs.
http://reefguide.org/pix/greenbubbleweed1.jpg
http://reefguide.org/pix/greenbubbleweed1.jpg
Knobby Sea Rods
The Knobby Sea Rods are native to the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Florida. They range in size from 0.5 to 3 feet, and grow in 3-100 feet of water.
http://www.usca.edu/biogeo/zelmer/sansal/cnidaria/octo/rods/eunicea.jpg
http://www.usca.edu/biogeo/zelmer/sansal/cnidaria/octo/rods/eunicea.jpg
Attractions
Coral reefs are a major tourist attraction. Scuba divers from everywhere around the world come to the Caribbean to dive in these coral reefs. Snorkeling is also an attraction at coral reefs.
Comparison
Great Barrier Reef, found off the coast of Australia
http://www.acfonline.org.au/sites/default/files/images/rich_page/main/Successtories_Greatbarrierreef.jpg
http://www.acfonline.org.au/sites/default/files/images/rich_page/main/Successtories_Greatbarrierreef.jpg
Caribbean Coral Reef
http://repeatingislands.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/coral.jpg
http://repeatingislands.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/coral.jpg
Climate
The climate in the Caribbean Coral Reef varies from 70 to 80 degrees. The water must be shallow because deeper water is too cold. The plants that grow around these coral reefs include sea grasses and algae.
Precipitation
Here's a chart that shows the precipitation in the Caribbean.
Branching Hydroid
The Branching Hydroid can grow from 3-6 inches. They can live 30-100 feet and they live in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Florida. Branching Hydroid means "water animals" in Greek. They look like jellyfish and there are 3,000 known species. They use their stingers to gather food.\
http://reefguide.org/pix/thumb2/branchinghydroid1.jpg
http://reefguide.org/pix/thumb2/branchinghydroid1.jpg
Seasons
December-May is the dry season and June - November is the wet, hurricane season.
Location
The coordinates of the coral reef near Nassau is 25.0667 degrees north and 77.3333 degrees west.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/cgifs/Coralreefmap.GIF
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/cgifs/Coralreefmap.GIF
Banded Butterflyfish
The Banded Butterflyfish has 120 species and they are usually 12-20 cm longs. They can be black, white, red, orange, blue or yellow. They are not dangerous to humans or endangered. Banded Butterflyfish are also called banded mariposas, butterbuns, butterflyfishes, Portugese butterflies, and school mistresses. They can be also found in Massachusetts.
http://www.blueoceanpix.com/images/Macro/Banded%20ButterflyFish.jpg
http://www.blueoceanpix.com/images/Macro/Banded%20ButterflyFish.jpg
Citations
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060915111132AAbSM6f
http://www.belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/belize-annual-rainfall-chart.gif
http://bioexpedition.com/coral-reef-biome/
http://ccri.uprm.edu/
http://www.coral-reef-info.com/caribbean-coral-reefs.html
http://species-identification.org/species.php?species_group=caribbean_diving_guide&id=170
http://www.belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/belize-annual-rainfall-chart.gif
http://bioexpedition.com/coral-reef-biome/
http://ccri.uprm.edu/
http://www.coral-reef-info.com/caribbean-coral-reefs.html
http://species-identification.org/species.php?species_group=caribbean_diving_guide&id=170