underwater photography of great white sharks, dolphins, divers and other marine life by Stephen Brunson
underwater photography of great white sharks, dolphins, divers and other marine life by Stephen Brunson underwater photography of great white sharks, dolphins, seals, divers and other marine creatures underwater photography of great white sharks and dolphins by Stephen Brunson Award winning underwater photography of great white sharks and dolphins by Stephen Brunson All about underwater photographer Stephen Brunson underwater photography of great white sharks, dolphins, divers and other marine life by Stephen Brunson free screensavers, free wallpaper, free animations, free images underwater links and reciprocal link exchange
Rock Beauty Angelfish: Holacanthus tricolor
The Rock Beauty, Holacanthus tricolor, lives in shallow water over coral and rocky reefs, sometimes offshore, in Bermuda; from Georgia to Brazil, including the West Indies; offshore reefs in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Like many other Angelfish, the Rock Beauty feeds upon sponges, tunicates, and algae. Angelfish is a name used for several different fishes, including the true angelfishes, (Pomacanthidae) and the butterfly fishes (Chaetodontidae). Angelfishes differ from butterfly fishes in having a spine near the lower edge of the gill cover. These laterally compressed fishes are among the most beautiful of the tropical reef fishes.
These two Rock Beauties were eating lunch in Grand Cayman near an azure vase coral. I photographed this image with a 28mm lens at the first annual Nikonos shootout. Notice the Azure Vase Coral which the rock beauties use for protection from predators. The azure vase is one of the true corals. True corals secrete calcium carbonate from the bottom half of the stalk of the individual animal, or polyp, forming skeletal cups to which the polyps are anchored and into which they withdraw for protection. In the flattened oral disc at the top of the stalk is an opening, edged with feathery tentacles and cilia, that is both mouth and anus. At night the tentacles extend from the cup, seize animal plankton that wash against them, and carry the food to the mouth. Stinging cells, or nematocysts, on the tentacles can also paralyze prey
Print Number - AF010
Limited Edition signed color photography for sale by Stephen Brunson
Rock Beauty Angelfish, Holacanthus tricolor, Statistics:

Size:            15 - 17 inches
Lifespan:       Approximately 15 years.
Breeding:      The Queen and Blue Angelfishes commonly hybridize, producing offspring mixed in appearance.
Habitat:        Shallow coral reefs and walls in depths of 100 ft. or less.
Diet:             Sponges, algae, and small invertebrates, such as bryozoans, zoantharians, gorgonians and tunicates
Distribution:  From Florida to the north coast of South America, including Bermuda and the Gulf of Mexico
Habit:           Usually Peaceful

Notice the Azure Vase Coral which the rock beauties use for protection from predators. The azure vase is one of the true corals. True corals secrete calcium carbonate from the bottom half of the stalk of the individual animal, or polyp, forming skeletal cups to which the polyps are anchored and into which they withdraw for protection. In the flattened oral disc at the top of the stalk is an opening, edged with feathery tentacles and cilia, that is both mouth and anus. At night the tentacles extend from the cup, seize animal plankton that wash against them, and carry the food to the mouth. Stinging cells, or nematocysts, on the tentacles can also paralyze prey.

BrunsonImages@att.net