Honeycomb Cowfish (Acanthostracion polygonius) A tropical West Atlantic boxfish named for the hexagonal honeycomb pattern covering its body, with a pair of small horns above the eyes. Common on Caribbean and Bahamian reefs year-round, usually seen cruising slowly and alone over coral. Modeled range · iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 Wikipedia | iNaturalist | Range map
📍 Grand View Reef, Encinitas Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus) The brilliant orange California state marine fish, a damselfish whose adults are fiercely territorial nest-guarders on rocky reefs. Common year-round in southern California’s kelp forests, including the reefs off Encinitas; the species is fully protected in California waters. Modeled range · iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 Wikipedia | iNaturalist | Range map | eBird/map
📍 Galápagos Islands Whitetip Reef Shark (Triaenodon obesus) One of the few shark species that can lie motionless on the bottom, pumping water over its gills instead of needing to swim to breathe. A year-round resident of the Galápagos archipelago, commonly found resting in caves and on sandy patches during the day before hunting reef fish at night. Modeled range · iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 Wikipedia | iNaturalist | Range map
📍 Galápagos Islands Blacktip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) One of the most recognizable reef sharks thanks to the bold black markings on its fin tips, this small, shy species rarely exceeds 1.6 m and is harmless to humans. Common year-round in the shallow waters around the Galápagos archipelago, often spotted cruising lagoons and reef flats in small groups. Modeled range · iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 Wikipedia | iNaturalist | Range map
📍 Ecuador Pacific Seahorse (Hippocampus ingens) The largest seahorse in the eastern Pacific, growing up to 30 cm — and one of the few species tough enough to thrive in the brackish, silty world beneath mangrove roots. Found year-round along Ecuador’s coast, but increasingly rare due to bycatch and habitat loss; listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Modeled range · iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 Wikipedia | iNaturalist | Range map