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

- Diet
- Squid and Capelin
- Location
- Indo-West Pacific
Spot was orphaned and transferred to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in 2007 when his previous owner was unable to care for him due to the fact that his species can reach lengths up to six feet rapidly. Spot outgrew his enclosure and required a much larger home. We are very grateful that Spot was brought to us rather than being released into the wild where he could have become an invasive species. We are happy to have him as a permanent resident here at CMA.
Scarlett

- Diet
- Detritus
- Location
- Indo-West Pacific
Scarlet was introduced to Spot in November 2012, in our efforts to provide a healthy natural environment for Spot. In the wild moray eels have a symbiotic relationship with cleaner shrimp to provide a natural service to each other by providing personal hygiene to the eel and food and protection to the shrimp.
More Marine Animal Species
Tesselata Moray Eel

- Status
- Data Deficient
- Average Size
- 6 in – 15 ft
- Location
- Indo-West Pacific
- Threats
- Pollution, loss of habitat
- Defining Characteristics
- Black & white patterned body
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp

- Status
- Data Deficient
- Average Size
- 2 in
- Location
- Indo-West Pacific
- Threats
- Pollution, loss of habitat
- Defining Characteristics
- Long white antennae
Tomato 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

- 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 and take part in our Feed a Puffer Fish Program!
Lined Seahorse

- Status
- Vulnerable
- Average Size
- 7.5 in
- Location
- Atlantic Ocean
- Threats
- Bycatch, aquarium trade, habitat loss
- Defining Characteristics
- bony plate body covering
Known as the ultimate hide and seek champions! Lined seahorses live in one place for their whole lives. They feed upon microplankton (plankton you could only see with a microscope). Male seahorses are the ones who carry the eggs! Lined seahorses are listed as a vulnerable species, which means they (and their habitat) need our protection! Learn about Cheeto the Lucky Seahorse’s rescue story!
Lookdown

- 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

- 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.
Hogfish

- Status
- Vulnerable
- Average Size
- 3 ft
- Location
- Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean
- Threats
- Fishing and harvesting
- Defining Characteristics
- Elongated snout
The hogfish is from a family of marine fish, many of which are brightly colored (wrasse). They are unusually flat and oval shaped compared to other wrasse, with red irises, and colors that change through the stages of its life. They live in small groups of one dominant male and several females, until a female grows to be a certain size and age, and then she changes to a male. Hogfish reach a maximum length of 3 feet (0.91 m) and a maximum weight of 22 pounds (10 kg). Hogfish may live for up to 11 years. The hogfish are named after the way they root around in the sandy sea floor with their pointed snout, looking for crustaceans and mollusks. The strong jaws contain protruding anterior canine teeth that are well adapted for crushing hard-shelled prey items such as mollusks and crabs. The hogfish is highly valued as a food fish, with the flesh marketed both fresh and frozen. Human consumption of this fish has been linked to ciguatera poisoning (food poisoning caused by eating fish that is contaminated by ciguatera toxin, a heat-stable soluble compound).
Tarpon

- 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

- 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.