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Depth: 12-40 m 40-130 ft
Description: A gently sloping reef with numerous rocky channels that stretch from the deeper part of the reef to the shallow plateau on top, where many cracks, holes and ledges house lobsters or nurse sharks. Finger corals are also very common here and attract many juvenile fi shes, which seek shelter amidst their branches
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Points of special interest (click on map for position):
1- Staghorn coral & threespot damselfish – Staghorn coral is a delicate, branching coral commonly found on sheltered and well-lit reefs like Aquarium. They are a favourite home for the threespot damselfish
2- Cleaning goby station – Brain corals, as you will discover, look just like their namesake. They are also commonly home to cleaning gobies. Watch as these tiny fish remove parasites from their clients
3- Cubera snapper zone – Cubera snappers are one of the largest Caribbean snappers. They form small schools - often no more than 5 individuals - and inhabit reef channels and caves. This species is very shy and will retreat when encountering divers
4- Schooling Atlantic spadefish – Atlantic spadefish form large schools high above the reef, sometimes counting as many as 500 fish. Their varied diet consists of planktonic organisms, as well as crabs, worms and snails that live on the reef
5- Indigo hamlet zone – Indigo hamlets are one of the rarest and most beautiful types of hamlet. Look for them along the edge of the small reef wall at this site
6- Pillar coral zone – These beautiful corals grow in tall columns that stretch towards the surface. Their polyps are large and remain extended even during the day, making the colony appear furry
7- Nurse shark cave – These passive sharks are often found at this site resting in the back reef, underneath coral ledges. Some resting spots are used so often that the reef actually becomes worn down and smooth
8- Spiny lobster zone – The shallower areas of this reef are highly rugose and provide many areas where Caribbean spiny lobsters shelter during the day. There are sometimes so many that divers call these areas “lobster condominiums”
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Creatures that live here (ID - Common Name):
A.ACc - Staghorn Coral
A.AM - Atlantic Trumpetfish
C.CLc - Horse-Eye Jack
E.CF - Atlantic Spadefish
G.EG - Cleaning Goby
G.GC - Nurse Shark
H.HF - French Grunt
K.KS - Bermuda Chub
L.LCb - Cubera Snapper
M.DC - Pillar Coral
O.CG - Flamingo Tongue
P.PA - Caribbean Spiny Lobster
P.PP - Finger Coral
P.SPb - Threespot Damselfish
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Beautiful Oceans Science Dive & Snorkel Centers visiting this dive site:
  
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