The Australian waters are full of wonders, and the most striking is their marine life. Despite the vast ocean life of Queensland discovered and registered by the humanity over the centuries, the significant chunk of it, i.e. about 95% still lies unexplored. Weird, isn’t it? Even more bizarre is the conceding nature of the marine creatures dwelling the warm and serene turquoise Queensland waters.
The Great Barrier Reef, with all its biodiversity, is brimming with organisms that inhabit and interact downunder while intriguing us with their bright colours, elaborate sizes and whacky behaviour! A few of them are mentioned here:
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The Bubble Snail
The Cinderella of the sea, The Bubble Snail, resembles one large glass slipper covered with a perfectly pink shell. The curvaceous sea animal dons particular patterns that run along its bends. Taxonomically termed as Micromelo undatus, the miniature Melo seems spectacular with its crystalline, bubbly outlook.
Where to find?
This sea snail inhabits the Indo-West Pacific and Atlantic Oceans in entirety including the American off-coasts, South Africa, Japan, Thailand and Australia.
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The Sea Horse
The very fact that the male seahorse is capable of gestating their eggs and bearing the young ones is fascinating! These beautiful ancient inhabitants of the sea propel themselves with the help of their tails. They are also monogamous, which means that once they find their mate, they stick around together for a lifetime.
Where to find?
Seahorses are more likely to be found in covered areas like seagrass, beds, estuaries and throughout the coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef.
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The Clownfish
Talking of gender dominance, kids’ very own Nemo lives in a society ruled by the females. There are 28-30 known species of clownfish, and all are born males. Whenever the female member of the group dies, an aggressive male replaces her by switching its gender. Although this sex reform is voluntary, yet it’s irreversible.
The most typical time for making this switch happen is during mating when the larger and more powerful fish converts into a female. Gender-bending much?
Where to find?
Everywhere on the Great Barrier Reef, seen all year round.
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Sea Turtles
Several freshwater species of turtles, the so-called bum-breathers, absorb air from water that enters from their behind! So, next time you think spotting a turtle involves watching the adult females nest and the hatchlings scutting across shores, know that the excitement doesn’t end here!
Where to find?
Six of the seven varieties of sea turtles are found in the Great Barrier Reef, so it is not hard to run into the bum-breathing ones on your next diving or snorkelling tour to the reef.
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Bluebarred Parrotfish
The cute beaky parrotfish is often seen photobombing almost every photo the visitors of the oceans take. The species acquired its famous parrot-like beak by the fusion of its teeth and jaws.
Where to find?
A resident of Green Island, Gavin, one of the several different species of these cute, smiling creatures is found in Great Barrier Reef. It’s also easy to spot owing to its friendly nature.
Endnote:
The vulnerability of the stability and balance of the marine life of the Grea Reef can’t be ignored. It is hence imperative to conserve and protect it for the generations to come.
