There’s nothing quite like the beauty of marine animals. So many of the waters contain wondrous creatures that have an impressiveness beyond comprehension. At times it almost makes you wish one could live amongst the waters alongside these animals.

Lionfish

While stunning to look at, I wouldn’t recommend touching. These little lions carry quite a sting. Their spines have venom used to immobilize their prey. And while non-deadly to humans, it can still cause severe pain and headaches, as well as vomiting if stung. It is found in tropical waters, as well as warmer coral regions of the Atlantic and Caribbean.

Nudibranchs

My favorite little critters of the sea. Their colors act as a warning to potential predators to back off. They have a weapon mechanism of toxic secretions and stinging cells. So never pick one up because it can irritate they heck out of your skin. They are a member of the opisthobranch gastropod mollusks (marine slugs and snails). They have no shells and are soft-bodied. They are hermaphroditic, but can rarely fertilize themselves.

Sea anemone

A sea anemone is a predatory animal that attaches itself to the bottom of the sea floor with an adhesive foot called a basal disc. It has many tentacles armed with cnidocytes, which are capsule-like organelle that have stinging cells called nematocysts. The nematocysts have external sensory hair, that when disturbed, shoots out a harpoon-like structure. It then attaches itself to the prey. This allows for the anemone to eat what it catches. Amazingly, clownfish are not affected by their stinging cells.

Harlequin shrimp

They are very colorful tropical shrimp. They dwell in coral reefs. Their front legs almost look like paddles, and they will grow to be no more than 2 inches long. Their diet mainly consists of sea stars. They’ll flip it over and feed on the soft underside of the sea star.

Flamingo tongue cowry

The flamingo tongue belongs to a group of small to large sea snails known as cowries. Many shell collectors love the appearance of these porcelain like shells. They primarily feed on algae and dead animals, although some will feed on coral.

Bluespotted stingray

This beautiful ray is a light green with blue specks. They’re primarily found in the Indo-west Pacific. They like sandy areas with sandy or sedimentary substrates. It has two venomous spines at the tip of its tail, and is capable of whipping its tail over its head.