…Oh... Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?

Coral reefs, of course!

 

This is the center of life for an incredible number of creatures, striking in their diversity. It is believed that by the number, quirkiness and diversity of underwater inhabitants, the Red Sea has no equal in the entire northern hemisphere.

 

Such diversity is due to very favorable conditions, stable of temperature and water composition, variety of food and communication with neighboring seas.\

There are about 1500 species of fish, one third of which are not found anywhere else in the world (called "endemics"). There are 13 species of sharks, 14 species of moray eels and a dozen species of clams, a lot of echinoderms, jellyfishes, stingrays, dolphins, turtles, squids, octopuses, and they all look like they came from the movie Avatar!

 

Home for Everyone

 

• Familiar

Remember Nemo? That clownfish that got lost in the cartoon. Well, he lives in the Red Sea, in the poisonous actinia. Well, not really him... Let's just say his doubles =) 

Doris the fish, Crush the turtle, the sharks and dolphins from the movie — are all inhabitants of the Red Sea!

• Beautiful

All of them! They are all beautiful!!! (Almost). Red lionfish, clearfin lionfish, angelfish, whitetip shark, betuline cone, strawberry topshell, sea lilies and sponges of all kinds are a real wonder!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Dangerous

Stingrays, morays that can bite divers sometimes, stonefish, tetraodons (remember Fugu?), sea urchins and jellyfish — try not to hug them too tightly. Many of them are loaded with serious venom. But don't worry too much. Just be sensible, and also don't play with sharks. 

And barracudas! Predators, but usually not dangerous. There are eight species here. Just admire them and do not touch. They really don’t care about you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Ugly

Stonefish. There's a special kind here: the red sea walkman. It's hilarious! (But don't forget: poisonous!)

 

• Unusual

Parrotfish — they are called so because they have real beaks! But they won't bite you: it's for gripping algae off rocks.

Napoleon Fish. As if the French Emperor decided to take a walk along the reef. With his famous hat, of course!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Unique

Angel fish, clown fish, and many others. You won't find them anywhere else in the world. There are species in this sea that are sought from the other side of the globe. 

• Endangered

There are not only Endangered species, there are Critically Endangered species. Among others, there is that fish, the Napoleon.

Risso's dolphin. Amazing in appearance. Our grandchildren may never see it ever again... 

• REEFS! 

Just coral reefs. This is a phenomenon that there are very few in the world. Such ones especially. The transparency and warmth of the water makes this place perfect for corals. 

There's one more thing

You MUST NOT anchor here. You CANNOT touch the bottom here. To anchor here, you will have to pay a few dollars to a local diver who will tie you to a fixed anchor. This is for keeping the bottom in primordial condition. 

And it's worth preserving: you're unlikely to find so much beauty concentrated in one spot anywhere else.

 

The next story is about flora!