Tropical Marine Fauna
Though we usually identify swimming as the way of fish locomotion, some use their fins to jump, fly and even to walk.
Bonito and gallego; eel and moray; grunt and grouper, bajonao, peto, triggerfish, sobaco, parrot fish, blenny species and the dogfish, are some of the fishes that move around the Caribbean waters with the harmonious movements of their fins or of their whole body. In the sandy and mud areas of our coasts live a small fish, of a very rare shape, named devilfish. It's always on its ventral and pectoral fins and on the tail and when frightened, flees and stays at a short distance, if we observe it well, we can see it "trotting," moving alternately its fins.
The flying fish lives in all the tropical seas. It has the habit of leaving the water and flies in face of danger, though in fact what it does is to glide, but from Panama to Brazil there are fresh water fishes that fly exactly like birds do. To escape from enemies, these species are capable of leaving the water and fly from 3 to 5 meters high, their front fins are used in the same way birds use their wings.
Wealth that Should Be Protected: Corals and Gorgonias
Among the most beautiful landscapes that man can admire are coral reefs, abundant in the Caribbean coasts. Crustaceans also live hidden behind their ochre colors as well as a large number of fishes moving around, looking for protection or food in these sites which are the scenario of a hectic activity.
Craft items and jewels are made with the black coral skeleton, which is among corals, the most cherished one for its commercial value, but this specie needs to be protected of the indiscriminate overexploitation, since its slow development may take until 20 years to attain its commercial size.
Another colonial animal, a relative of corals, is the gorgonia, over 50 species inhabit the Caribbean waters. Skeletons of gorgonia colonies are likewise used for the manufacture of craft items and some species produce a substance called prostaglandin which has many medicinal uses.
Exquisite Crustaceans
Among the most extraordinary gourmet dishes tasted in the tropical Caribbean area are elaborated with shrimp and lobster, the latter is abundant in Cuban sea waters and is an important export item.
Other Edible Fishes
A large number of edible fishes are found in the seas of our region, among which the favorite are red snapper, grouper, pintadilla, grey mullet, guaguancho, biajaiba, peto, cooper, needlefish, sawfish, rabirrubia, bonito, swordfish and several species of sardines.
Frightening and, at the same time, in high esteem are the sharks, of which some 400 species are known, living most of them in tropical water. Over 40 varieties are found in the Caribbean area, among which ladyfish, horn shark, tiger shark, cat shark are worthy of mention. Everything is valuable in sharks, their skin, meat, vertebrae, teeth, liver and cartilages.
Sea and River Reptiles
Most of the turtles live in lakes and rivers, but species as the green turtle (caguama) or hawksbill turtle, have been adapted to life at sea. Some of these reptiles weigh more than 150 kg. They provide an excellent meat and with their bones, items of great beauty and durability are made.
Decorative Tropical Fishes
The hobby of having small fish tanks, exhibiting multicolor small fishes in the interior of the house or close has gained more fans.
Some of the Most Popular Species
Colisables (Xiphophorus helleri). Discovered in Mexico in 1840 by botanist K. Heller, colisables were later found farther South in many rivers in Honduras and Guatemala.
Wild colisables are dark greenish, but through genetic selection work, a wide range of color has been found: green, red, brick color, blood red, yellow, natural albino, black eye-pink albino, red-eye pink albino, black and other choices.
Guppies (Lebistes reticulatus). The first guppies were discovered in the Caribbean island of Trinidad 160 years ago and sent to Europe by a German naturalist whose surname currently identifies these species: Dr. P.L. Guppy.
Due to the multiple varieties and endless combinations that can be obtained, the aquarium specialists have an unquenchable field of experimentation with guppies, without having any repetition.
Molinesias or molineses. Three known species stand out: Wide-dorsal fin molinesias (Mollienisia latipinna), original of the Atlantic basin on the South of the United States; common molinesias (Mollienisia sphenops), original of small river and lagoons of Central America and from the Colombian coasts and veliphera molinesias (Mollienisia velifera) that come fundamentally from Yucatan coasts, though they are found from Mexico to Colombia.
Escalares (Pterophyllum scalare). Original from South America from the tributary of Orinoco and Amazon. Its majesty and beauty have turned them into the kings of the fish tanks.
Tetras. There are many species among them: tetras from Buenos Aires (Hemigrammus caudovitatus) and little nun tetras (Gimnocorymbus ternetzi), both original from Paraguay; red (Hyphessobrycon flammeus), also named river tetras since its habitat is located near Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Colors as silver with black spots, black with red shades and vertical stripes and greenish bands beautify these species.
Many other varieties which origins are found in tropical regions of Asia and Africa, are born and reproduced in the Caribbean and in the whole world; worthy of mention are the goldfishes (Carassius auratus); the guramis: blue guramis (Trichogaster trichopterus); peal guramis (Trichogaster leeri)); dwarf guramis (Colisa lalia) and the fighting fishes (Betta splendens).
It is our option to contribute to the protection of this immense wealth provided by seas and rivers so that man can continue enjoying its benefits, both material and spiritual.
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