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Experience • Rescued Animals

More Marine Animals

Updated June 22, 2020 Posted April 8, 2020

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

  • Mavis’s Rescue Hideaway
  • Sea Cavern

Resident Animals

Spot

Tesselata Moray Eel (Gymnothorax favagineus)
Sea Cavern
spotted moray eel
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

Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)
Sea Cavern
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

Gymnothorax favagineus
Aquarium Tessalata 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

Lysmata amboinensis
Aquarium 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

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 and take part in our Feed a Puffer Fish Program!

Lined Seahorse

Hippocampus erectus
cheeto the 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

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.

Hogfish

Lachnolaimus maximus
Aquarium Hog Fish
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

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…

Moray eels spend most of their time hidden in caves and rock crevices.
Moray eels only have one dorsal fin, lacking pectoral or pelvic fins.
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

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Mavis the Turtle in the Rescue Hideaway

Mavis’s Rescue Hideaway

Learn More
Sea Life Safari Boat Tour

Sea Life Safari Tour

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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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