Elvis the Squirrelfish

RED REEF RESIDENTS: A RUFOUS ROUND-UP IN THE BAHAMAS

It’s sunny and very hot. Time to take another dive with Melinda to see what is going on under water around the reefs. Here are some residents, a somewhat loose description since some of the denizens featured are not especially active. But they are alive, so they qualify by my wide rules. And please may we not get into a discussion about where precisely red and orange overlap. It’s a grey area. And it’s too hot to argue about it… Let’s start with three types of GROUPER that may be spotted in the northern Bahamas. In fact, they are always spotted. One of my favourite pictures is the Graysby – it’s such a great expression, and he really rocks the spots!

GRAYSBY

TIGER GROUPER AT A CLEANING STATION with Peterson Cleaning Shrimps & a GobyRED HIND

BLACKBAR SOLDIERFISH

HOGFISH

SQUIRRELFISH

But red fish are not the only red reef residents. Here are some  that won’t swim away from you as you swim towards them to admire them…

A FEATHER DUSTER ON A SPONGE

RED SPONGEUNDERWATER GARDEN GROWING IN A RED CONTAINER

ANOTHER VARIED REEF GARDEN

CORALS WITH (I have just noticed) A LURKING LIONFISH 

CHRISTMAS TREE WORMS (see more of these amazing creatures HERE)

All photos: Melinda Riger @ Grand Bahama Scuba