12 Creatures on Buccoo Reef to cherish all year round

By wildgirl -
In observance of the season of celebration and thanksgiving, Jahson Alemu shares 12 creatures special to Buccoo Reef that we should cherish and protect. Make a note for 2017 to appreciate the marine environment that surrounds Trinidad and Tobago. Without it, we are rocks in the ocean, black dots on the map.  Follow Jahson on twitter: jahson_alemu

Christmas is in the air. The smell of pastelles, black cake, ham and all sorts of seasonal goodies tantalise our taste buds. From simple to intricate lights adorn houses; and like moths drawn to a flame, paranderos flitter from house to house to spread joy, serenade and wish us well for the season. In the spirit of the season, here is a Christmas tribute to some of the creatures that add vibrancy, wonder, colour and life to our Buccoo Reef.

Red Cushion Starfish, photo courtesy Jahson Alemu

On the first day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
One Red Cushion Starfish (Oreaster reticulatus).


Two French Angelfish, photo courtesy Jahson Alemu

On the second day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Two French Angelfish (Pomacanthus paru), and
One Red Cushion Starfish



Three bottlenose dolphins, photo courtesy Jahson Alemu
On the third day of Christmas
My true love gave to me,
Three Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncates),
Two French Angelfish, and
One Red Cushion Starfish.


Christmas Tree Worm, photo courtesy Jahson Alemu
On the fourth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
One Christmas Tree Worm (Spirobranchus giganteus)
Three Bottlenose Dolphins
Two French Angelfish, and
One Red Cushion Starfish


Batwing crab, photo courtesy Jahson Alemu
On the fifth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
One Batwing Crab (Carpilius corallines),
One Christmas Tree Worm
Three Bottlenose Dolphins
Two French Angel Fish, and
One Red Cushion Starfish


Black Grouper, photo courtesy Jahson Alemu
On the sixth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
One Black Grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci)
One Batwing Crab
One Christmas Tree Worm
Three Bottlenose Dolphins
Two French Angelfish, and
One Red Cushion Starfish.


Brain coral, photo courtesy Jahson Alemu
On the seventh day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
One giant Brain coral (Colpohyllia natans)
One Black Grouper
One Batwing Crab
One Christmas Tree Worm
Three Bottlenose Dolphins
Two French Angelfish, and
One Red Cushion Starfish


Rainbow Parrotfish, photo courtesy Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble
On the eight day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
One Rainbow Parrotfish (Scarus guacamaia),
One giant Boulder Brain….coral
One Black Grouper
One Batwing Crab
One Christmas Tree Worm
Three Bottlenose Dolphins
Two French Angelfish, and
One Red Cushion Starfish.


Long-spined sea urchin, photo courtesy Jahson Alemu
On the ninth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
One long-spined sea urchin (Diadema antillarum)
One Rainbow Parrotfish,
One giant Boulder Brain ... coral
One black grouper
One Batwing Crab
One Christmas Tree Worm
Three Bottlenose Dolphins
Two French Angelfish, and
One Red Cushion Starfish.


Queen Angelfish, photo courtesy Laszlo Ilyes
On the tenth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
One Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris)
One long-spined sea urchin
One Rainbow Parrotfish,
One giant Boulder Brain….coral
One black grouper
One Batwing Crab,
One Christmas Tree Worm
Three Bottlenose Dolphins
Two French Angelfish, and
One Red Cushion Starfish.


Spotted eagle ray, photo courtesy Laszlo Ilyes

 On the eleventh day of Christmas
My true love gave to me:
One Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus narinari)
One Queen Angelfish
One long-spined sea urchin
One Rainbow Parrotfish,
One giant Boulder Brain….coral
One black grouper
One Batwing Crab,
One Christmas Tree Worm
Three Bottlenose Dolphins
Two French Angelfish, and
One Red Cushion Starfish.



Buccoo Coral Reef, photo courtesy Jahson Alemu


On the twelfth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me: a healthy coral ecosystem with
One health coral reef
One Spotted Eagle Ray
One Queen Angelfish
One long-spined sea urchin
One Rainbow Parrotfish,
One giant Boulder Brain….coral
One black grouper
One Batwing Crab,
One Christmas Tree Worm
Three Bottlenose Dolphins
Two French Angelfish, and
One Red Cushion Starfish.


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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