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Experience • Rescued Animals

More Marine Animals

Updated October 17, 2022 Posted April 8, 2020

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is full of all sorts of exciting ocean animals! From snowflake eels to powerful tarpon, there are a number of different sea creatures that are worth learning about.

Where to See

  • Mavis’s Rescue Hideaway
  • Sea Cavern

More Marine Animal Species

Diamondback Terrapin

Malaclemys terrapin
Status
Near Threatened
Average Size
5-10 in
Location
Eastern US, Brackish Water
Threats
Bycatch (crab traps), loss of habitat, nest predation
Defining Characteristics
Concentric, diamond-shaped markings and grooves on the scutes

This is Franklin, our Diamondback Terrapin. Diamondback Terrapins are a species of turtle that lives in brackish water here in Florida, which is different from our sea turtle residents who live in saltwater. Franklin was originally someone’s pet, but she decided to rehome him at CMA. He was named by our Terrific Turtles camp students and by our resident Russian tortoise. Franklin can be found swimming around his habitat, basking on his log, and hiding under rocks.

Tomato Clownfish

Amphiprion frenatus
clownfish
Status
Least Concern
Average Size
3.5 in
Location
Indo-West Pacific
Threats
Pollution, loss of habitat, saltwater-borne diseases
Defining Characteristics
Bright orange-red, one vertical stripe behind eyes

Striped Burrfish

Chilomycterus schoepfi
Aquarium Striped Burrfish Smiling in the Touch Tank
Status
Least Concern
Average Size
10 in
Location
Atlantic Ocean
Threats
Pollution, loss of habitat, aquarium trade
Defining Characteristics
Yellow-green coloring, dark, wavy stripes

Striped burrfish are members of the pufferfish family. These fish can grow up to 10 inches in length. They have beak-like jaws that they use to eat their hard prey like shellfish, barnacles and crabs. Burrfish pump water into their bodies to expand their skin and push out their sharp spines. They have large, colored eyes that help them see even in murky water. Come check out these beautiful fish in our Sea Cavern!

Lookdown

Selene vomer
Aquarium Lookdown Fish
Status
Least Concern
Average Size
19 in
Location
Tropical Atlantic Ocean
Threats
Aquarium trade, habitat loss
Defining Characteristics
Protruding lower jaw

The lookdown gets its name from its downward oriented eye, but is also called the moonfish for the Greek goddess of the moon,Selene. The average length of a lookdown is 10 inches. The longest lookdown known was18 inches. They feed on small squids, shrimps, polychaetes (chiefly marine worms usually with paired segmental appendages, separate sexes, and a free-swimming larva) and small fishes. Its range includes the West Atlantic, Nova Scotia to Florida, Coastal Central and South America, Bermuda and Gulf of Mexico. This is a benthopelagic, (living and feeding near the bottom as well as in midwaters or near the surface) and demersal (living near, deposited on, or sinking to the bottom of the sea) species found in shallow coastal waters. This species is found at depths to 175 ft.

Red Drum

Sciaenops ocellatus
Aquarium Red Drum Fish
Status
Data Deficient
Average Size
55 lbs
Location
Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean
Threats
Trawl fishing, habitat loss
Defining Characteristics
Copper-red coloring

The red drum uses its senses of sight and touch, and its downturned mouth, to locate forage on the bottom through vacuuming or biting. A 3-year-old red drum typically weighs 6 to 8 lb. The largest red drum on record weighed just over 94 lb and was caught in 1984 on Hatteras Island. They max at 5 ft in length. In the summer and fall, adult red drum feed on crabs, shrimp, and sand dollars; in the spring and winter, adults primarily feed on menhaden, mullet, pinfish, sea robin, lizardfish, spot, Atlantic croaker, and flounder. Red drum can live up to 60 years. Ranges include Southern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts of the United States, including the coasts of Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. Immature red drum prefer grass marsh areas of bays and estuaries when available. Both younger mature red drum (3-6 years of age) and bull red drum prefer rocky outcroppings including jetties and manmade structures, such as oil rigs and bridge posts.

Tarpon

Megalops
Aquarium Tarpon Fish
Status
Vulnerable
Average Size
4 ft
Location
Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean
Threats
Fishing, harvesting, habitat lost
Defining Characteristics
Shiny, silvery scales

The “Silver King” is one of the Tampa Bay area’s premiere sportfish for anglers looking for a serious battle. They are known as strong fighters and commonly jump multiple times while being caught. There is no food value for tarpon, so they are typically released back into the waterway. Tarpons grow to about 4 to 8 feet long and weigh 60 to 280 lbs. Their diet consists of insects, fish, crabs, and grass shrimp. Tarpon live 30 to 63 years. They are found throughout the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and throughout the Caribbean. Tarpons are also found along the eastern Atlantic coast from Senegal to South Angola. Although primarily a coastal marine fish, tarpon often swim up rivers to access freshwater marshes.

Snowflake Eel

Echidna nebulosa
Snowflake Eel
Status
Vulnerable
Average Size
20 in
Location
Indo-Pacific & eastern Central Pacific
Threats
Fishing, harvesting, habitat lost
Defining Characteristics
Shiny, silvery scales

Also known as the clouded moray.

Did You Know…

Clownfish are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals.
Clownfish are born male and have the ability to turn into a female.
Tarpon can reach up to 8 feet long and weigh 280 pounds!
Tarpon have a lifespan of over 50 years.
Look Down Fish Skunk Cleaner Shrimp Fish

Marine Animal Neighbors

  • CMA Pelican
    Pelicans
  • Hope the Dolphin Smiling
    Dolphins

Seek to Sea More

Mavis the Turtle in the Rescue Hideaway

Mavis’s Rescue Hideaway

Learn More
Sea Life Safari Boat Tour

Sea Life Safari Tour

Learn MoreBook Now
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
249 Windward Passage
Clearwater, FL 33767
727-441-1790

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A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM, A FL-BASED NONPROFIT CORPORATION (REGISTRATION NO. CH352), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE OR BY VISITING www.800helpfla.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Federal Tax ID#: 59-2086737.

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