Tropical+Underwater+Life-+Christina+R,+Gabrielle+S,+Lauren+P,+Taylor+S

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** Common Underwater Lifeforms **

Tropical waters are home to so many types of animals, plants, and living organisms. There are thousands and thousands of common species, while there are many rare species that still haven’t been documented yet! The common species range from the Spotted Mandarin Fish to the Mangrove Trees and everything in between. Some species have so many different fishes that they may never go extinct. Some common organisms can live far down in the ocean while others live inches above water. Lots of fish live in schools while other types prefer solitude. They’re appearances range from patterns of polka-dots to neon orange to light yellow. The names of these creatures can be something as simple as the Parrotfish to something as intricate as the Foureye Butterflyfish. However, no matter where they are, who they’re with, their appearances, and their names couldn’t be more different. Each fish is different and unique and although they seem unusual, they are the common fish that represent the coral reefs’ unique life forms.

Click below to see profiles of some common life forms: [|Common Life Forms Profile.docx]

Coral reef Prezi Profile

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Types of Animals and their Apperances As you can tell, there are millions of different tropical underwater animals, and they each look very different. Each animal has a unique name, size, color, and shape. You can find animals with names like Redfish, or Paranankaitamonninen! Some fish are only an inch long, while some are two feet long. The fishes’ colors range from black to neon blue and orange, and every color in between! Looking at a coral reef is like looking at a rainbow! Some fish, like the Apogonidae, have a fin that looks like it broke in half; some have fifteen purple spiked spines! Their shapes are absolutely beautiful. Although you will never know what tropical underwater animals will look like, you can expect it to be beautiful, brightly colored, and uniquely named.

Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are the most common tropical underwater habitats. They add so much to the world’s biodiversity. Coral reefs are made up of limestone skeletons, soft coral, stony corals, sea fans, algae, and sponges. There are three major types of reefs. They are fringing, barrier, and coral atoll. Though the kinds of reefs may be different, their main structures are the same. In the front is the reef front, behind that is the reef crest, then there is the leeward, lastly there is a reef flat or lagoon. Though coral reefs inhabit only 1% of Earth’s surface they are home to 25% of Earth’s fish. As one expert says, “a sharp contrast to the open ocean.” Coral reefs are beautiful and diverse habitats. Over fishing has destroyed some of these diverse places. These unique tropical habitats are important to the population of fish. Even if you have never seen a coral reef you should expect a brightly colored and a uniquely beautiful experience.

[|to see more cool pictures and get more info visit here]

**Predator Defenses **

In a tropical reef, it isn’t always peaceful. Animals must defend themselves from constant predators. These predators are mostly sharks and other large carnivorous fish like groupers and barracuda. Sometimes if you’re unlucky, sharks will have a feeding frenzy and anything inside will be gone in minutes. The fish that are eaten by them, in turn, prey on crustaceans and plankton. Many fish have defenses from bigger fish. They include poisonous spines, “puffing up”, camouflage, ink, and fleeing. Spines are used by many animals such as the Crown-of-Thorns Sea Star, Tetraodontidae,and Sea Urchins. Many animals also camouflage such as the Octopus (which also uses ink). The last very common defense is fleeing. Many animals will run away when attacked.

 Tropical Underwater Animals on PhotoPeach

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If you would like to learn more about some of the unique species in Tropical Coral Reefs click [|here.]

Thanks to our resources:  [] []
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