Sea Creature of the Week

"The Sea Creature of the Week" 

The Killer Whale or Orca

Orcinus orca

With all the controversy going on with the #Blackfish documentary, I wanted to post about the sea creature behind the story. Killer whales are related to dolphins and are one of the most powerful predators in the ocean. With males reaching 32 feet and 22,000 pounds and females 28 feet and 16,500 pounds, they are the most widely distributed marine mammal, being found in all parts of the oceans.  Besides being very intelligent they are also highly social animals, traveling in pods, of up to 40-50 individuals. During social activity, sounds are made and believed to be a form of communication between killer whales. Their diet is largely depended on where they live, but ranges from various species of fish to other marine mammals such as seals, sea lions, and walruses. Posted below are pics of these amazing creatures....but what I'm interested in hearing are your thoughts on marine mammals, such as killer whales, being held in captivity (amusement parks)? There are several opinions and facts that can be discussed....I want to hear yours! Leave a comment and tell me how you feel!! 

A documentary showed on CNN of killer whales held in captivity. Watch it and tell me your thoughts!

Sea Creature of the Week

"The Sea Creature of the Week" 

Indo-Pacific Red Lionfish

Pterois volitans

If you have ever been snorkeling or diving in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, or Caribbean Sea....you probably came in contact with this animal. This exotic, yet invasive fish, is taking over the waters in a BAD, BAD, very BAD way. I wanted to educate my readers, who may not know, what to do if you ever have an encounter with one. The red lionfish found its way off the coast of Florida in the 1980's. It has been said, due to hurricanes tearing down homes and/or maybe a fish hobbyist no longer wanting the fish, these fish ended up being dumped into the Atlantic Ocean. This has caused the red lionfish to populate in an environment that is NOT where they are originally from. Red lionfish are native in the Indo-Pacific region....waaaaay on the other side of the world. The Atlantic Ocean ecosystem does not have the same structure to support this fish, therefore they over-populate. Unfortunately, since the 1980's they have populated the waters around the Atlantic Ocean and have caused scientist to worry about the destruction they are causing. Read what CNN news reported, "Lionfish are not native to the Atlantic Ocean. The venomous, fast reproducing fish are aggressive eaters and will consume anything and everything, gorging so much they are actually getting liver disease. With no known predators -- except human beings -- they can wipe out 90% of a reef."

So if you ever come across one of these invasive animals....report it!!! Here are a couple of pictures and some website links to check out for more information! :-) 

How to report a lionfish sighting - 

http://www.reef.org/lionfish

 http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/stories/lionfish/lion08_report.html

Sea Creature of the Week

"The Sea Creature of the Week" 

The Dumbo Octopus

Grimpoteuthis

Honestly, I can't decided if this animal is weird looking or cute! :-) I know that sounds crazy...but look at it! It can easily be the cutest thing you've ever seen, but then again.....it could be the weirdest thing you've ever seen! :-) The dumbo octopus is a deep sea animal that lives on the ocean floor. It resides at depths of 9,800 to 13,000 feet deep!!! These small animals have a pair of fins located on their heads and webbing between their arms. When swimming, dumbo octopuses (yes, this is the plural of octopus) hover above the sea floor looking for worms, snails, and other food. Take a look at these cute...well funny-looking....ok, ok, cute creatures!!! :-) 

Sea Creature of the Week

"The Sea Creature of the Week" 

Pink See-Through Fantasia or Swimming Sea Cucumber

Enypniastes eximia

The name of this week's sea creature really caught my attention. I am familiar with sea cucumbers, but never seen one like this before!! The pink see-through fantasia or swimming sea cucumber, is a bottom dwelling organism that feeds on mud and sediment. As you can see, they have an amazing red/pink color with soft transparent bodies (I'm guessing this is how there name came about.) :-) One amazing fact about this species of sea cucumber is that.....it swims! With its webbed feet, swimming sea cucumbers are able to swim long distances in the water column. Here are some pictures below of this amazing creature and other sea cucumbers!  

A sea cucumber
(Non-swimming)

Sea Creature of the Week

"The Sea Creature of the Week" 

The Sea Pig

Scotoplanes globosa

Now this is an interesting looking creature!!! I have never heard or seen this organism, until a couple of weeks ago, on a science website I visit.  When reading about it, I learned this animal resides in the deep ocean and is the same genus as the sea cucumber. The sea pig eats organic matter found in mud and uses its strong sense of smell to locate dead carcasses on the ocean floor, for food as well. Check out the, ummm,....."interesting" pictures of these important deep sea creatures below!!! 

Sea Creature of the Week

"The Sea Creature of the Week" 

The Ocean Sunfish or "Mola"

Mola mola 

Chatting with my co-worker today, she told me about a scuba diving trip she went on and all of the incredible marine life she saw! One animal in particular, was the Ocean Sunfish or most commonly called Mola. This unique creature is found in tropical and temperate waters (meaning the water is very mild or medium temperature) all over the world. Science researchers say the Ocean Sunfish are the heaviest bony fish in the WORLD! Yep, this fish, has bones and it's the only fish with bones, that weighs the most....IN THE WORLD!! Now you may think, wait, "what about whales...they have bones!?" But remember, whales are mammals-not fish! Then you might think..."wait....what about Sharks???" Remember....sharks are cartilaginous, they do not have bones, they have cartilage!  So let's not get confused! :-) 

Ocean Sunfish eat on lots and lots of jellyfish for nutrients, but are also hunted by sharks, sea lions and HUMANS!!! These creatures are considered a delicacy in some parts of the world!! With their long, oval body, tall dorsal and anal fins, and small-round tail fin, this creature is a sight to see! Check it out! (And remember, Avery Adventures post new "Sea Creatures of the Week" every Tuesday!!) 

Sea Creature of the Week

"The Sea Creature of the Week" 

The Barreleye Fish

Macropinna microstoma

My husband came to me one day and asked, "Is this fish real?" Knowing nothing about it, I immediately thought "I must get information on what this creature is and WHY does it look like that!" :-) 

It is said, the Barreleye fish was discovered in 1939. When scientist found this fish in deep, deep waters, they were confused. "Are those eyes," they wondered. Marine biologist were finally able to see how this animal "lives" and how its body functions. A camera was sent deep down in ocean waters to study the animal off the coast of California. What was observed, was the green tube-like objects are the eyes!!! They are pointed in an upward position to see objects/food/predators floating above, since it's a deep, deep ocean fish! But that's not all....the eyes can also move to focus in front (like normal). Isn't that cool?!?! :-) The big "dome" that covers it's head is a transparent shield that protects the eyes. Now, the Barrelfish has markings on the front of its face that confuses other creatures in believing the eyes sit in the front its head. So don't be fooled!!! Well, it wouldn't fool you, maybe the smaller fish or squid it slurps up, from having no teeth in its mouth!!! Poor guy! Look at the pics below to see how unique this creature is!!!