The colorful
Squirrel Fish
is quite common on Caribbean reefs.
This one was photographed off the coast of Belize.
Taken in November, 1992 during an underwater photographic survey
for the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History on the
barrier reef off the coast of Belize, Central America.
Smithsonian Photo #93-1336.
An underwater close-up of a distinctive
French Angel Fish,
(black with yellow highlights), on a Belizian reef.
Taken in November, 1992 during an underwater photographic survey
for the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History on the
barrier reef off the coast of Belize, Central America.
Smithsonian Photo #93-1400,
An underwater photo taken with a
"fisheye"
lens of a reef off
Belize including black sponge, purple fan coral and brain coral.
Taken in November, 1992 during an underwater photographic survey
for the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History on the
barrier reef off the coast of Belize, Central America.
Smithsonian Photo #93-1623,
Fisheye underwater view
of Belizian reef scene including purple
sea fan coral and other soft corals.
Taken in November, 1992 during an
underwater photographic survey for the Smithsonian's National
Museum of Natural History on the barrier reef off the coast of
Belize, Central America.
Smithsonian Photo #93-1624.
A spectacular fisheye underwater view of
Belizian reef scene
including tube sponges. soft coral, brain coral and reef fish.
Taken with a "fisheye" lens in November, 1992 during an
underwater photographic survey for the Smithsonian's National
Museum of Natural History on the barrier reef off the coast of
Belize, Central America.
Smithsonian Photo #93-1625.
The bright blue spots on this
immature Damsel Fish
will
disappear. Immature fish are often more brightly colored than adults. As an adult it will be nearly all black.
Taken in November, 1992 during an underwater photographic survey
for the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History on the
barrier reef off the coast of Belize, Central America.
Smithsonian Photo #93-1364.
A brightly colored blue, purple, orange and yellow
Fairy Basslet
fish photographed on the reef off the coast of Belize.
Taken in November, 1992 during an underwater photographic survey
for the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History on the
barrier reef off the coast of Belize, Central America.
Smithsonian Photo #93-1339.
A dramatic photo of colorful
purple vase sponges
on the deep reef
wall off the coast of Belize.
Taken in November, 1992 during an underwater photographic survey
for the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History on the
barrier reef off the coast of Belize, Central America.
Smithsonian Photo #93-1333.
A
Butterfly Fish 
(white with black eye stripe and yellow fins) on
a coral reef off Belize.
Taken in November, 1992 during an underwater photographic survey
for the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History on the
barrier reef off the coast of Belize, Central America.
Smithsonian Photo #93-1363.
Close-up showing the
intricate pattern in hard coral.
Taken in November, 1992 during an underwater photographic survey
for the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History on the
barrier reef off the coast of Belize, Central America.
Smithsonian Photo #93-1350.
This coral cave forms a dormitory for White-tipped Reef
Sharks. Squirrel fish hover above them near the cave roof.
Photographed off one of the Pearl Islands on Panama's
Pacific Coast.
(c) 1991 Carl C. Hansen
Yellow bellied Sea Snake
The Yellow bellied Sea Snake (Pelamis platurus) has the
most toxic venom of any snake. There is no known antivenin
for its bite. Fortunately, these snakes are not aggressive
and rarely try to bite even if handled. They are highly
modified for life in the open ocean (Pacific) and are unable
to crawl on land. They can often be seen floating along
drift lines on the surface, but spend much of their time in
deep dives.
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